Pre-operative Checklist

Patient Information Leaflet - Pre-operative Patient Checklist

Once you have decided to go ahead with surgery after a detailed consultation with Dr Mylankal, it is important to go through this check list to ensure you are well prepared for the day.

Risk factor modification

Smoking cessation and regular exercise if initiated early will improve overall outcome from surgery.

Medications

Please ensure that all prescribed medications are taken regularly. Most patients with peripheral arterial disease are recommended Aspirin and a statin and these medications do not require to be ceased before surgery.

However, some medications are to be stopped before surgery as they can cause excessive bleeding or interact with the contrast (dye) used during the procedure. In-addition, certain medications have to be stopped early to allow for safe anaesthesia. Please discuss with Dr Mylankal regarding medications that require to be stopped before surgery.

Preparation for hospital admission

Registration for hospital admission - once a procedure or surgery is planned after consultation with Dr Mylankal, you will require to register with the hospital.

If surgery is planned at Calvary Wakefield Hospital, then this can be done online via calvary e-admissions or by simply calling admissions on telephone (08) 84405 3333.

For Ashford Hospital, register online via AchaHealth eADMISSIONS or by calling (08) 8375 5222

This ensures that the hospital has all your relevant details so that the admission process runs smoothly on the day of the surgery.

Be prepared for an overnight stay as some day-case patients may require overnight observation in a hospital bed due to unplanned additional procedures. Anticipate longer stay in hospital for major surgery.

Anaesthetic assessment

Your anaesthetist may contact you for a telephone chat in preparation for the surgery. However, in some instances you will be invited for a face to face consultation with the anaesthetic doctor.

On the day of surgery / procedure

Please bring all relevant investigations, letters from previous specialist consults, medicare card and private health insurance details.

Arrive well ahead of the scheduled time accompanied by a family member or friend

You are advised to avoid all solid food for 6 hours and liquids for 2 hours before surgery. This is very important and the surgery will be delayed to ensure a safe anaesthetic, if you have not strictly adhered to these instructions.

After surgery / procedure

After the procedure, you should refrain from driving and ensure a family member or friend drives you home. It is also important to have someone with you at home overnight on your discharge from hospital.

Instructions regarding after discharge care such as change of dressings and removal of stitches will be given by the nursing staff on discharge.

You are advised to remain active and exercise gently on discharge from hospital after your surgery.

An appointment to see Dr Mylankal will be organised in a few weeks following your surgery to assess your progress.

Driving and Flying after surgery / procedure

Avoid driving for 4 weeks after a major surgery and use stockings as recommended by the surgeon.

You are advised against flying for 6 weeks after surgery

If you have any concerns or queries, please contact Dr Mylankal at his rooms or the hospital.