Planning and preparation for surgery

Preoperative assessment

This section provides a general overview of what may happen before surgery. Each person’s situation is different, and procedures vary between hospitals.

You will be told whether you will have surgery as an inpatient or outpatient, how long you will need to stay at the hospital, what to take to hospital and other useful information on preparing for surgery. You will usually receive admission instructions from the hospital.

Looking after your health before surgery

Talk with your surgeon about ways you can look after your health before surgery. The suggestions below may improve your strength, help you cope with side effects and lead to a smoother recovery. For some people, improving their physical health means they become fit enough for surgery.

Stop smoking

If you smoke tobacco or vape, aim to quit as soon as possible. Continuing to smoke or vape can increase the risk of complications after surgery, and delay your healing and recovery time. Quitting smoking or vaping can be difficult – for support, talk to your doctor or call the Quitline on 13 7848.

Exercise

Surgery places a strain on the body, including the heart and lungs. Exercise will help build up your strength to cope with recovery and reduce the risk of complications after surgery. Talk to your doctor or physiotherapist about the amount and type of exercise that is right for you, and any precautions to take.

Improve nutrition

Healthy food can help your body cope with the stress of surgery, improve your strength, and assist with your recovery. A dietitian can suggest foods to eat to ensure you get enough energy and protein. They may also recommend you have special drinks (nutritional supplements).

Avoid alcohol

Talk to your doctor about your alcohol use. Alcohol can affect how the body works and increase the risk of complications after surgery, including bleeding and infections. Drinking even small amounts of alcohol increases the risk of developing some cancers, so it’s best to avoid alcohol after a cancer diagnosis.

Talk to someone

You may find it useful to talk to a counsellor about how you are feeling. This can help you deal with any anxiety you are feeling about having surgery, and help you feel more in control.

Understanding the risks

Almost all medical procedures have risks.

Factors to consider when weighing up the risks and benefits of surgery include:

• how long the operation will take
• the type of anaesthetic you will have
• the expected outcome
• what will happen if you don’t have the surgery your age and general health.

Although advances in surgical techniques have made surgery safer, there are still things that may be unknown or not go as planned. Complications may also occur during surgery and after surgery.

Some surgeries may cause permanent physical changes such as scarring or loss of a body part. Surgery may also affect your fertility (your ability to conceive a child). If you may be interested in having children in the future, talk to your surgeon about your options before the operation.

Overall, you and your surgeon should feel that the expected benefits are greater than the possible risks. For some cancers, there are few options other than surgery. For other cancers, there is more than one recommended treatment pathway. Talk to your surgeon about your options. If you are unsure, ask for a second opinion from another specialist.

Don’t feel obligated to be treated by the first surgeon you’re referred to. It’s important to ask for recommendations from family and friends.

Katherine

Informed consent

A surgeon needs your agreement (consent) before performing any medical treatment. Adults can give their consent – or refuse it – if they have capacity (ability to make decisions). This means you can understand and remember information about the proposed choices; understand the possible outcomes of your decision; and communicate your decision.

Sometimes consent is not needed, such as in a medical emergency. However, if your surgery is planned, your surgeon will discuss why you need the surgery and its benefits; other treatment options; how they will perform the surgery; and possible side effects, risks and complications.

You will be asked to sign a document indicating that you understand this information and agree to treatment. This is known as giving informed consent. See some questions you may want to ask before giving your informed consent for surgery.

Preparing for surgery

As part of the preoperative assessment, you will be given instructions about how to prepare for the surgery based on your health and medical history. The advice you receive will cover a range of issues. Let your treatment team know if you have any concerns about what you are asked to do.

Bathing and shaving

You will be told when to shower or bathe. This may be the night before and/or morning of the surgery. If you have been told that hair near the surgical site needs to be removed, you may be asked to do it yourself before you go to hospital, or it may be done when you are admitted. In cases where there is a lot of hair at the surgical site, you will be asked to avoid shaving the area yourself, as any cuts to the area can increase the risk of infection. You may also be asked not to wear any make-up, nail polish, moisturiser, perfume or deodorant; and to remove false nails and piercings.

Eating and drinking

Most people are told not to eat (fast) for 6 hours before surgery. This ensures that your stomach is empty before having an anaesthetic, which reduces the risk of food getting into your lungs (aspiration). Depending on the type of operation, your surgeon may tell you to avoid having some types of food and drink. You should not drink alcohol or smoke for at least 24 hours before the operation, or chew gum while you are fasting. In some cases, you can continue drinking clear fluids such as water or will be given supplements to drink up to 2 hours before surgery – your surgeon, anaesthetist or a hospital nurse will advise you about this.

What to take with you

The hospital will let you know what personal items to take with you and what to leave at home. For example, they may tell you to take all your current medicines with you, but suggest you leave valuables, such as jewellery, at home. You should also take your admission letter and any recent x-rays or scans with you. If you are staying in hospital after your operation, you might like to take some toiletries, nightclothes and non-slip, comfortable shoes.

Organise help

If you are having day surgery, you will need to arrange for someone to take you home when you are discharged and then stay with you for 24 hours after surgery. It’s not safe to travel alone or use public transport or a taxi, as you will still be under the effects of the anaesthetic.

If you are admitted to hospital, talk to your doctor about whether you will be able to go home when you are discharged or will need to go to a rehabilitation unit. If you go home, you may need to organise for a relative or friend to stay with you for a few days in case you have any complications. They can also help with washing, dressing and meals. You may also need to organise equipment to help your recovery. 

Medicines

Your doctor will tell you whether to keep taking any medicine you are on or stop taking it in the days or weeks before surgery. If you are told to take medicine while fasting, swallow it with a small mouthful of water. If you are on blood thinners, including over-the-counter ones like aspirin and ibuprofen, talk to your surgeon about whether you need to stop taking them.

What time to arrive

You will be told what time to arrive at the hospital, either in the letter confirming the surgery or during a phone call from the hospital on the day before the surgery. You may have to wait for surgery, which can be stressful. It’s a good idea to take a quiet activity with you to keep you occupied and feeling calm (e.g. a book or magazine).