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Preparing For Surgery

Thank you for Choosing ENT Sydney.

Once you and Dr Singh decide that surgery will help you, there are several steps that can be taken to help you achieve the best possible outcome.

Preparing for Your Procedure

  • Scans: Please do not forget to BRING YOUR SCANS!! (CT scans, MRI scans, etc). This is the commonest mistake patients make and can cause your procedure to be delayed or cancelled. Please take your scans and put them in the back seat or boot of your car right now, so that you won’t forget on the day!
  • Preadmission clinic: If you are over the age of 40-50 or if you have other medical problems, we normally have you visit the pre-admission clinic at Lakeview Private/ Westmead Private Hospital. Here you will be seen by hospital staff, who may arrange blood tests and an ECG. Please take all of your medications, scans and documents to the pre-admission clinic.
  • Medications: Please see the document “Medications to stop before surgery”. We will send this to you by email before your procedure.
  • Blood thinners: If you are on any blood thinning medication (see list below), we will give you specific instructions on what to do with your medication, before your procedure. We will consult with your cardiologist (heart doctor)/ respiratory physician (chest doctor)/ haematologist (blood doctor)/ GP before issuing exact instructions. Typically, blood thinners will be temporarily stopped before your operation. If you are on blood thinners and have not told us already, you MUST contact our office to discuss this before going ahead with surgery. Possible blood thinning medications include:
    • Aspirin (Cartia, Cardiprin, Disprin, Solprin, Aspro, Astrix, Asasantin)
    • Warfarin (Coumadin, Marevan)
    • Clopidogrel (Plavix, Iscover)
    • Rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
    • Apixaban (Eliquis)
    • Dabigatran (Pradaxa)
    • Enoxaparin (Clexane)
    • Edoxaban (Lixiana, Savaysa)
    • Ticagrelor (Brilinta)
    • Dalteparin (Fragmin)
    • Fondaparinux (Arixtra)
    • Heparin
  • Blood clots: If you have ever had a blood clot, DVT (Deep venous thrombosis), PE (Pulmonary emobolism), or have had any other clotting disorder, or have a family history of blood clotting disorders, we will give you instructions on how to reduce the risk of blood clots, before your procedure. If you have any of these conditions and have not told us about them, you MUST contact our office to discuss this, before going ahead with surgery.
  • Smoking: If you smoke, you should STOP SMOKING at least 4-6 weeks before your surgery and stay off cigarettes for at least 4-6 weeks after the operation. Smoking affects wound healing and increases your risk of a chest infection post-operatively
  • Organise transport: Please organise a responsible adult to drop you off and pick you up. You are not permitted to drive yourself home after surgery. You are not permitted to take public transport home. A responsible adult should stay with you at home for the first night after surgery.
  • Organise your home: By preparing in advance, you can avoid the need to leave the home to go shopping, etc. Buy all of your essential grocery needs and stock the fridge. Put everything you need in easy reach. You will have plenty of spare time as you recover so get some DVDs, Netflix, Books, Magazines, iPad or entertainment.
  • Organise your hospital needs: Pack some loose-fitting comfortable clothes and nightwear. Take essential toiletries. Pack a case for contact lenses, glasses and dentures. Leave valuables, jewellery and money at home. The Hospital has wifi if you want to bring a laptop/ iPad.
  • If you have children: Consider asking family or friends to help look after the kids or take them to school/ childcare for 1 to 2 weeks post-op.
  • Inform your workplace: If you are an employee, make sure your boss knows well in-advance that you are taking sick leave. If you are self-employed, arrange someone to replace you or move things around so the business will cope without you for a few weeks – do not try to work when you should be recovering!
  • WARNING: You will have plenty of spare time while you recover. During this time you must rest. DO NOT plan to undertake physical activity during this time. This is NOT the time to do “odd jobs” around the house or to “fix the garden”/ “paint the garage”! You must rest.
  • Illness before surgery: If you develop a cold, cough or fever before surgery, please contact us.
  • Anxiety/ nerves: It is normal to feel a little anxious before surgery! Rest assured that you are in the safest of hands and our entire team is dedicated to ensuring you achieve the best possible result.

What To Do On The Day Of Surgery

  • Shower or bathe: Please shower or bathe in the morning on the day of your surgery.
  • No make-up, no nail polish
  • Do not wear jewellery
  • Do not smoke or chew gum
  • Fasting: The Hospital will normally call you on the day before surgery, in the afternoon, and tell you when to stop eating/ drinking.
  • Contact lenses, jewellery, dentures, and wigs: These will all be removed when you enter the admissions area. Remember to pack a case for contact lenses, glasses and dentures.

After Your Surgery

  • You will be given a detailed set of instructions after your surgery, along with medications and a medical certificate.
  • For the first 24 hours after surgery, DO NOT:
    • Drive a car or operate machinery
    • Drink alcohol
    • Make important decisions or sign documents

Checklist

  • SCANS
  • Medications
  • Comfortable loose-fitting clothing
  • Nightwear
  • Toiletries
  • Case for contact lenses, glasses, dentures
  • Laptop/ iPad/ DVD player
  • Responsible adult to drive home
  • Responsible adult to stay at home first night
  • House clean and organised
  • Food in fridge and cupboards
  • Children taken care of
  • Boss/ employees notified
  • Stop smoking

Your First Follow-Up Appointment

  • You will be contacted by our staff with your post-operative appointment date and time
  • Please take your recommended pain medication 1 hour before your first post-operative appointment.
  • It is best to have someone drive you to your first post-operative appointment.

Questions/ Concerns/ Not Sure?

  • Please contact us for advice:
  • Secretaries: Natasaha, Sam, Amy, Sheenal, Celeste & Corinne on  .
  • Clinic doctor: 0419 680 883
  • Anaesthetist: Your anaesthetic doctor will contact you before your procedure date and discuss any important issues with you.