Back to leedsth.nhs.ukDay Surgery Website
FAQ's - On the day of surgery
- Can I eat and drink before my surgery?
- What happens on the day, when I come to the Day Unit?
- Do I need to remove my contact lenses?
- Can someone come with me?
- How long will my operation/procedure take?
- I've heard that that sometimes the surgeon marking the operation site. Is this usual?
- How long do I need to stay in the Unit?
- How can I contact the person coming to collect me?
- What will happen if I don't feel well enough to go home afterwards?
- Can I get a sick certificate?
Can I eat and drink before my surgery?
If you are having a general anaesthetic, you will need to stop eating and drinking before your surgery. You should also refain from chewing gum. The pre-assessment nurse will advise you about eating and drinking, and the instructions may also be in the letter confirming the date of your surgery. As a general guide:
If your surgery is scheduled for the morning
You should have nothing to eat or drink after midnight, but you may have a small amount of water (only), up to 6.30am.
If your surgery is scheduled for the afternoon
You should have a light breakfast before 7.30am, and then have nothing except a small amount of water (only) before 11.30am.
Always follow the instructions you are given. Failure to do so, will mean that your surgery may be postponed or cancelled on the day.
What happens on the day, when I come to the Day Unit?
You will be sent a letter advising you what time to come to the Day Unit. Please bring this letter with you. The Reception staff will check your details and register your attendance. The member of the nursing staff will than check further details with you, ask you a few questions and ensure that you are appropriately prepared for your procedure.
Do I need to remove my contact lenses?
Yes, you will need to remove your contact lenses before your operation. Please
bring your spectacles or an extra pair of contact lenses with you.
Can someone come with me?
You may certainly bring someone with you and they can wait with you until the nurse comes to prepare you for your procedure. After that, your escort is usually asked to leave, as some of the Day Unit to not have the space to accommodate patients and their escorts. Exceptions to this are:
- carers of children under the age of 16
- those acting as interpreters
- those accompanying patients with special needs.
Please remember! If you have dependant children, please make alternative arrangements to have them cared for, so that they are not brought to the Unit.
How long will my operation/procedure take?
It is not possible to give you a precise duration time for your procedure, as individual circumstances and health vary. However, staff within the Unit should be able to give you an estimate, so that arrangements for contacting your escort to take you home can be organised.
The specific Day Unit information leaflets contain contact telephone numbers,
To check the details for specific Day Units
Or, you can check with the staff on arrival at the Unit.
Bear in mind, that if you are having a general anaesthetic for your procedure, you will be taken to the Recovery area immediately afterwards for a minimum of 30 minutes, before being transferred to the ward area. As soon as you feel able, you will need to have something to eat and drink before you can go home.
I've heard that sometimes the surgeon marks the operation site. Is this usual?
There National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) has recently provided guidance to staff in hospitals, in order to increase the safety of patients having surgical procedures. Along with many other safeguards and checks, the agency recommends marking the operation site, whenever possible. The NPSA has worked with surgeons to agree a standard way of marking the correct operation site. The agency has also produced a briefing sheet for patients, which you can read by clicking on the following link.
NPSA 'Correct site surgery: making your surgery safer'
If you have any concerns about having your operation site being marked, please discuss this with your surgeon.
How long do I need to stay in the Unit?
The time you stay in the Day Unit will depend on:
- the procedure you are having
- your general state of health
- whether, or not, you are having a general anaesthetic
- the need for nursing care after your procedure.
The Day Unit staff will advise you, if you require further information.
How can I contact the person coming to collect me?
On arrival at the Day Unit, you can ask the staff for contact details so that your escort can telephone to make arrangement to collect you. Alternatively, your escort can leave his/her contact details and the staff will make contact, when necessary.
What will happen if I don't feel well enough to go home afterwards?
Each patient is assessed 'fit for discharge' against set criteria, before arrangements for discharge are made. If you are not well enough to be discharged home, arrangements will be made for you to stay in hospital overnight, either in the Day Unit (if there is the facility) or on a ward in the main hospital.
Day Unit staff will inform your escort/carer, should this occur.
Can I get a sick certificate?
You can obtain a sick certificate for one week from staff in the Unit. Further certificates can be obtained from your G.P.