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The day of your surgery

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Eating and drinking before surgery

You will be given information about when to stop eating and drinking before your surgery. Please follow the instructions as they are to help keep you safe during your procedure.

Usually people are asked to stop eating at least six hours before their operation (so nothing to eat from 2am if you are asked to be at the hospital by 8am).  You can keep drinking clear fluids until two hours before you are expected at the hospital. Clear fluids include water, juices you can see through (like apple or blackcurrant juice), and black tea or coffee. You must not have any milk, or non-clear or pulpy juices.

It's okay to have a sip of water to take medications at any time before surgery.

Taking medications before surgery

If you usually take medications for a health condition, these will be reviewed before you come in to hospital.  Some regular medicines need to be paused before surgery. A pre-hospital nurse will let you know which medicines to stop and when to stop them. You will also be sent a letter with this information on it.

Instructions for making changes to your medicines can be confusing. As an example; if you are told to stop a medicine for three days before your surgery, this means stop for three full days and skip it on the morning of the operation.  This means if your operation will be on a Friday, then you should take the medicine as usual on Monday, but then not take it on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (three full days) and not take it on the Friday.

If you are not told to stop any of your regular medications, you should still take them before surgery. It is okay to have some water to take medications during this time, even if you have been told to be ‘nil by mouth’.

Breastfeeding patients having surgery

It is common that people will need surgery while they are breastfeeding.

This local website here has useful information on how to safely continue breastfeeding around the time of your surgery and which medicines are safe to take while breastfeeding.

Where do I go? 

The letter with the date of your operation on it will also tell you which area of the hospital to come to.

Click here to explore some of the clinical areas you might see as a patient and meet some of the staff who work here. You can also find a guide on getting around to all the important areas for when you come for surgery or are coming to visit a friend or relative on the ward. 

Day of Surgery Admission (DOSA)

Most (but not all) people having an operation will be asked to come to the Day of Surgery Admission area, or ‘DOSA’.  When you arrive at DOSA, please let the reception staff know.  They will check your details with you.

A DOSA nurse will see you next, and they will support you to get ready for going to the operating theatre.

Your surgeon and anaesthetist will meet with you and confirm the plan for your operation and type of anaesthetic. This is a good time to ask any questions.

It is likely that you will spend some time waiting in DOSA before your surgery.  It’s a good idea to bring something to help you pass this time. Usually your support person will be able to stay with you during this time. The staff will keep you and your support person updated about how long you are expected to wait.

Karakia

You and your whānau are welcome to perform karakia before your surgery. The anaesthetic department has its own karakia, which you can see here, or you can recite your own.

You also have an option to access the hospital chaplain service.

Let the DOSA nurse know that this is what you would like, when you arrive.

Taonga / Pounamu

Staff will be respectful of your Taonga / Pounamu / valuables. In many cases you will be able to continue to wear taonga during your surgery. If your particular surgery means you cannot wear your Taonga, it may be able to be kept next to your body throughout the surgery. We will gain consent from you and your whānau before removing it, give your whānau the option of removing it themselves, and discuss options for storing your Taonga with you and your whanau before your operation.

If you have taonga you would like to continue to wear, let your nurse know when you arrive.

Return of body tissue

If you are having an operation that involves the removal of a body part or body tissue, you will be asked if you would like to have this tissue returned to you.

Your body tissue may be immediately available for you to collect as you leave hospital. However, if your body tissue needs to be tested in the hospital laboratory so that medical staff can better understand your condition, it may not be available for up to six to eight weeks. While it remains with the laboratory staff, it will be treated with respect. A letter will be sent to you letting you know when your body tissue will be available and where you can collect it.

Tissue is only stored for 14 days after testing is complete. In an emergency situation, tissue will be stored until you or your family/caregiver make a decision about having it returned.

In the operating room

When it is your turn, you will be taken on your bed to the operating theatre.  Support people are usually asked to leave DOSA at this point – they might choose to go home, or wait in the DOSA reception, café or your hospital ward if you are staying overnight. 

When you arrive in theatre, the team will do a final safety check with you, and then your planned anaesthetic will start.

The team of people in the operating room include surgeons, anaesthetic doctors, nurses, an anaesthetic technician, and health care assistants. They all work together to look after you.

The recovery room – Post-Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU)

Once your surgery is finished, you will be taken to the recovery room / PACU. You will be looked after by a nurse who will watch you closely as the anaesthetic wears off and you wake up. They will offer you pain relief and provide other cares to help you feel comfortable. They will also let your support person know how you are going, if you have given consent for this to happen.

If you are planning to go home on the same day as the operation, you will go from PACU to DOSA again.

If you need to stay one or more nights in hospital, then the PACU nurse will arrange your transfer to the ward and to the next team of people who will be looking after you.