In advance of your procedure, there’s some key information to be aware of, to ensure your procedure can go ahead safely as planned and to help you recover well.
You will need to arrange for a responsible adult to accompany you home and to stay in contact with you afterwards.
Please shower or bathe, and remove make-up, nail varnish, gel/ acrylic nails, jewellery and piercings before coming in.
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that you can also travel home in.
It is important to stay hydrated with water and please do not drink any alcohol for 24 hours before your come for your procedure.
If you are having a general anaesthetic
- No food, milk, sweets or chewing gum to be consumed after midnight the day before.
- You can drink clear, still unflavoured water, black tea or coffee (without sugar or sweeteners) until 7.00am.
- Try and drink a big glass of water before leaving the house.
- You can sip water while you wait.
It is not necessary to avoid food and drink for longer than the times given, as this could cause discomfort and may delay your recovery.
If you are having a local anaesthetic
If you are having a local anaesthetic, you can eat and drink as normal before your procedure.
What to bring with you
- Glasses, contact lenses, hearing or walking aids
- Medicines – please bring your prescription and any prescribed or over the counter medicines that you usually take, including inhalers, creams and eye drops in their original packaging labelled with your name. If your medicines are supplied by your pharmacy in an organiser e.g. medibox, please bring it with you.
- A dressing gown, or similar, to help keep warm, and slippers or equivalent.
- The phone number of the person collecting you.
You may want to have a book or magazine to read while you wait.
You can bring a mobile phone or tablet but we do not have facilities to charge them.
If you have a learning disability and a hospital passport, please bring this with you.
We are unable to accept any responsibility for loss or damage to your valuables or personal belongings.
Please do not bring:
- Large sums of money, bank cards or jewellery
- Alcohol, cigarettes or e-cigarettes
- Chargers for phones or e-cigarettes.