Before your surgery you will attend the pre-operative assessment clinic. It is a nurse-led clinic where we determine if you are physically fit enough to have surgery and an anaesthetic.
We aim to ensure you are in the best possible condition before your surgery by managing any pre-existing conditions.
The nurse will ask you about your general health, fitness and previous operations and illnesses.
The assessment may also include:
- blood tests
- urine Sample
- ECG (electrocardiogram)
- MRSA swabs
- general observations (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature and oxygen saturations
Bowel preparation
You may or may not be required to take bowel prep before your operation. This is dependent on the intended procedure and your Surgeon’s preference. If bowel prep is required, this will be provided at your Pre Op assessment, or sent out to your home address.
This could consist of any of the following:
- Plenvu – a powdered solution which when mixed with water acts as a laxative, clearing your entire bowel and producing loose bowel movements.
- Enema – involves inserting liquid into the rectum, which is the lower part of the large intestine. This is performed to aid bowel evacuation.
- Senna – a laxative in the form of a tablet, used to clear the bowel before diagnostic tests.
Preload
Preload is a powdered, neutral tasting carbohydrate loading drink mix specifically designed for people scheduled to have surgery.
Taking this drink before an operation has been shown to improve well-being and aid recovery.
It is taken as a pre-operative drink:
- 2 sachets during the evening before surgery
- 1 sachet during the morning of surgery
It will be supplied to you at your pre-op assessment, unless you have diabetes