Day before Surgery

1. Admission to hospital
2. Blood sample, ECG and X-rays are taken

Before Surgery

1. Do not eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery.
2. A sleeping medication may be ordered the evening before surgery.
3. In some cases, a blood thinner may be ordered a few days before surgery.
4. Generally, aspirin and non-steriod anti-inflammatory medications should not be taken seven days prior to surgery.

Morning of Surgery

1. The nursing staff will take your temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure.
2. You may brush your teeth and rinse your mouth, but do not swallow any water.
3. A clean hospital gown will be provided.
4. An intravenous (IV) line will be started the morning of surgery.
5. Anti-embolism stockings (elastic) are to promote the circulation to the leg.

Going to Surgery

1. You will be asked to empty your bladder.
2. Remove all jewellery, dentures, contact lenses and nail polish.
3. Rings not removed will be taped.
4. A surgical orderly will take you on a gurney to the preoperative waiting area.
5. The anaesthesiologist will discuss the type of anaesthesia to be used. In the majority of the cases it will be general anaesthesia.
6. You will be taken into the operating room.