Before the day
Let us know if you are diabetic, on blood-thinning anticoagulant medication (eg Warfarin), blood pressure medication or have any drug allergies.
Take your usual medications unless instructed otherwise. You can take paracetamol.
It is important that you let us know of any coughs, colds, fevers or other medical issues: call us on 04 333 2970 as soon as possible.
We recommend that you avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs other than those prescribed.
If you are having a sedative or general anaesthetic, you must arrange for someone to take you home after the procedure, as you must not drive for 24 hours.
Don’t forget to book the day of the procedure off work. If you are having an endoscopy, you will need to be at home from 3 pm the previous day.
Click on the procedure you are having to see important information about what you need to do to prepare.
Colonoscopy
Your bowel must be completely empty and clean so the specialist can see the lining. You will not be able to eat the day before, and you can only drink clear liquids. You will be given medication to take at 3pm the day before which will give you diarrhoea, so you need to be at home, close to the toilet, until it’s time to come to the hospital the next morning.
It’s important that you follow these instructions carefully:
- Stop taking any iron preparations, as these can make the stool (poo) dark and make it. difficult to see the bowel lining clearly.
- Stop taking fibre supplements such as Metamucil or Benefiber.
- Don’t eat pips or seeds –including kiwifruit, passionfruit, sesame seeds, grapes and tomatoes.
- Don’t take stomach or anti-diarrhoea medication including Imodium and Gaviscon.
- Don’t take NSAIDS – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – such as Ibuprofen, Nurofen, Voltaren, and Aspirin.
- Do not eat anything from midnight, so when you wake up, no breakfast.
- Drink at least 2 litres of clear liquid (that you can read a magazine through) for the 24 hours before your colonoscopy, but do not drink anything red, purple or green. Do not drink milk.
Clear liquids are those that you can read a magazine through. They can include water, black tea and coffee, apple juice, chicken broth, yellow or colour-free jelly, clear lemonade ice blocks, barley sugars, beef tea, Oxo, strained chicken noodle soup, sports or energy drinks (not red/purple/green), fizzy clear lemonade or ginger ale. - At 3 pm mix the first Picosalax sachet in a glass of warm water and drink it by 3.30pm (you can cool it first in the fridge). Then drink 3 or more glasses of water or lemonade.
- Picosalax causes you to start diarrhoea between 30 minutes and 6 hours from drinking, which lasts up to 4 hours or longer.
- Picosalax can cause nausea for an hour or so after taking. Drink plenty of clear liquids during and after taking Picosalax to counter nausea and keep hydrated.
- Putting Vaseline on and around your anus will help prevent soreness from diarrhoea.
- At 7 pm mix the second Picosalax sachet in a glass of warm water and drink it by 7.30pm (you can cool it first in the fridge). Then drink 3 or more glasses of water or lemonade.
- If nausea or vomiting persist call your GP or visit your local pharmacist for anti-nausea medication.
- Your stools (poo) should be watery liquid, slightly coloured, with no solids, or they may stop entirely.
- Contact us on (04) 123 4567 if you are concerned that the preparation has not worked, and we can arrange extra measures such as an enema before your procedure.
Do not eat anything
You will be given full instructions regarding diet and bowel preparation.
Don’t worry if your poos stop: that’s normal
Also don’t worry if you are still doing some liquid poo – that won’t interfere with the procedure.
Gastroscopy
This requires you to have an empty stomach. You must not eat or drink anything for the six hours before the procedure.
Tell us if you are taking blood thinners or are a diabetic, or if you have any other questions about your medication.
Eye-surgery
A week or so before surgery your doctor will measure the size and shape of your eye, using painless ultrasound.
You will be advised what medications you can continue taking, and you may be asked to stop taking medication that could increase your risk of bleeding. Let your doctor know if you are taking medication for prostate surgery as this can interfere with cataract surgery.
You may be prescribed antibiotic drops to put in your eye for a couple of days beforehand.
You can eat and drink as you usually would up to one hour before your surgery.
Getting here...
On the day
Checking in
Check in at reception at the appointed time. If you are delayed, please call us as soon as possible.
The hospital is fully accessible, with a wheelchair ramp and disabled toilet facilities.
You can have one support person with you, although they can’t come in during the procedure or recovery – they can stay in our comfortable waiting area or return later to collect you.
Our nursing staff will talk you through the details of the procedure, including anything you need to do afterwards. They may take your blood pressure and do other checks. You may also see the anaesthetist for a quick check.
Wear loose, comfortable clothes and flat shoes. Don’t wear contact lenses, jewellery or body piercings, any make-up on your face and eyes, dark nail polish, perfume, hairpins, wigs or hairpieces. If you have false teeth you can leave them in until just before the procedure. You can bring a walking stick, hearing aids and glasses, but you will leave these behind while the procedure is underway.
For endoscopy and gastroscopy you will change into a gown under which you won’t be wearing any clothes; it’s a good idea to bring socks to keep your feet warm.
We will look after your personal possessions, but please don’t bring jewellery or other valuables, or large amounts of cash, as we can’t accept responsibility for them.
No animals are permitted in waiting areas or in other parts of the hospital.
Recovery room
After your procedure you will stay in our quiet, well-appointed recovery room where our nurses will look after you until you are ready to go home. We’ll give you a drink and a biscuit or other snack and will keep you comfortable and under observation.
If you have had sedation, it takes about an hour to begin waking up properly. You may feel some temporary nausea. It can take up to a day for the full effects of sedation to wear off.
Going home
If you have had sedation or general anaesthetic, you must arrange for someone to drive you safely home as you cannot drive for 24 hours. You should not make important legal decisions or sign legal documents, drink alcohol, or operate machinery for 24 hours.
You will normally be able to return to work the day after the procedure.