When and where will the operation be done?
We can generally find a convenient date for you at one of a number of hospitals. If your surgery is deemed urgent we will accommodate you. Please fill in your pre admission hospital forms and send them back 7 days prior to surgery. Contact the hospital the working day prior to your scheduled surgery to find out admission times.
Dr McIvor has regular theatre lists at the following hospitals:
- Southern Cross Gillies Hospital, Epsom
- Southern Cross North Harbour , Glenfield.
What do I do on the day of surgery and what shall I bring into hospital?
DO NOT eat anything for at least six hours prior to your operation to prevent vomiting and other complications during your operation. You will be advised from what time you should starve by the Hospital the working day prior to surgery.
BRING
- XRays or scans that have been done for this problem. Dr McIvor may need to review them before and during surgery.
- Nightwear, day wear, dressing gown, towels, toiletries, slippers, books/ magazines and a pen. It will be helpful to arrange for a relative or friend to wash your nightwear etc. and bring in fresh supplies. Hospital nightwear is available if required.
- Medication you are currently taking, including inhalers.
DO NOT BRING any unnecessary valuables with you, such as jewellery, large sums of money or bank cards. The hospital cannot take responsibility for your valuables. On your admission you will be asked to sign a disclaimer form which gives you responsibility for any valuables you bring with you.Valuables may be taken for temporary safe keeping by the ward staff while you have your operation and you will be given a receipt.
What will happen when I go to theatre?
- Just before going to theatre a checklist is completed by the nurse. You will then be taken on your bed to the operating theatre, usually by a theatre technician and a nurse.
- Dentures, glasses and hearing aids can be taken out in the anaesthetic room and taken back to the ward by the nurse, or you may like to put them in your locker before your operation.
- The anaesthetist will insert a small needle into the back of your hand through which you will be given the anaesthetic. The nurse will stay with you until you are fully under the anaesthetic and fully asleep. You will not wake up until the operation is over. You will be taken, on your bed, to the recovery area where a nurse will look after you until you are awake.
- You will then be taken back to the ward, on your bed, by an orderly and a nurse.
What will happen when I get back on the ward following surgery?
- Back on the ward you will be made comfortable. You will be sitting fairly upright in your bed supported by several pillows as this will help to reduce any wound swelling. Your nurse call bell will be situated close to you so that you can call a nurse at any time.
- You will have your blood pressure, pulse and oxygen levels checked frequently. A machine will do this automatically – a blood pressure cuff is wrapped around your upper arm and a probe is clipped to one of your fingers.
- There will be a fluid drip going into a vein, probably in the back of your hand; this will be removed the following morning and once you are drinking normally. You will be able to sip drinks quite soon after your operation as long as you are not feeling sick, and you can eat as soon as you feel you are able.