What do I need to do before my surgery?

• Your surgeon will explain the surgery and the possible risks. You will sign consent for the surgery.
• Blood tests will be done at the Cancer Centre before your surgery.
• You will have an appointment with a doctor specialized in perioperative risk assessment and an occupational therapist. They will review your health issues, medications, and your ability to do exercise to make sure you are ready for surgery. They will give you some tips to make your health better before your surgery. They will make a personalized exercise program with you to build up your strength for surgery.
  • It is very good for you to be physically active in the weeks before your surgery.
  • Exercise like walking, may help to make your recovery after surgery easier and help to get you back home sooner.
  • If you are not physically active, start slowly and think about making small changes to your day where you can put some movement into your daily routine. For example, park in a parking spot further away from where you are going, or get up and walk during TV commercial breaks.
  • You will talk with a clinical dietitian about tips to improve your diet before surgery and what to expect after the operation. You will either meet the dietitian for an appointment, or she will call you to talk.
  • If your blood levels are low, you will be seen by a blood transfusion specialist (blood conservation clinic) who will give you ways to lower the risk of a blood transfusion after surgery.

• You will have an appointment at the Pre-assessment clinic to get you ready for your surgery. This will take between 2-4 hours. At this appointment you will get information on how to get ready for your surgery and your stay in the hospital.
• Bring all of your medications, your Health Card and a piece of identification (which shows your current address and telephone number) with you.
• A doctor will ask you questions about your health.
• You will have some tests done to see how fit you are for surgery.
• The doctor will talk to you about ways to help with your pain after surgery.

Food and drink:

• Do not eat solid food after midnight.
• Do not drink milk, orange juice (any juice with pulp) or alcohol after midnight.
• Do not chew gum two hours before surgery.
• You may drink clear fluids up to two hours before your surgery. Clear fluids are:
  • Water
  • Apple or cranberry juice
  • Clear broth
  • Soft drinks
  • Black tea or coffee (you may have sugar, but not milk, cream or whiteners)
• Drink high carbohydrate drinks before surgery. This is a drink that has a lot of sugar. It will make you feel stronger after surgery and recover faster.
  • Examples of those drinks are:
    • Apple juice
    • Cranberry juice
    • Iced tea
    • Gatorade™ or other sports drinks
  • Drink up to 3 glasses (800 mL) of this drink at bedtime, the night before your surgery
  • Drink 1.5 glasses (400 mL) up to 2 hours before your surgery.

Shower:

• You have to shower using a special soap on the night before surgery and the morning of surgery.
• This is important to prevent infections after surgery.
• Do not shave the area on your body where we will do the surgery.
• A nurse will tell you how to use the special soap, during your preadmission appointment.
• Time of surgery:
  • You will get a phone call from the hospital (between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm) to confirm at what time you will have to be in hospital the next day.
  • This time can be as early as 6:00 am.