Surgery Preparation

The Stage at a Glance

• Stop smoking, vaping and all nicotine, at least 4 weeks before (and keep off it for at least 4 weeks after).
• If you buy your own ibuprofen, aspirin or naproxen, or take supplements, stop them about 10–14 days before (check with the nursing team).
• Keep taking your prescribed medicines as normal unless we tell you otherwise. Never stop prescribed aspirin or a blood thinner without our advice.
• Tell us at pre-assessment if you take the combined pill or HRT, use weight-loss or diabetes injections (Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro), or take any blood thinner.
• Cut down on alcohol; none for at least 48 hours before.
• Arrange a responsible adult to take you home and stay with you overnight (general anaesthetic or sedation).
• Follow the fasting times on your admission letter.

Clear Medication Guidance at Your Pre-Op Appointment

Your pre-op (pre-assessment) appointment is where you get clear guidance that is personal to you: on your medication, and on smoking, alcohol, and eating and drinking.

• Over-the-counter medication (such as ibuprofen, aspirin or naproxen you buy yourself, and supplements): stop 10–14 days before surgery.
• Prescribed medication, including prescribed aspirin or any blood thinner: continue as normal unless you are told otherwise.
• Pain relief before surgery: paracetamol, taken as the label says.

The Pill, HRT and Weight-Loss Injections

These are worth a specific conversation at pre-assessment. There is no single rule; we help you decide.

Smoking and Alcohol

The single best thing you can do for healing is to stop nicotine early: all smoking, vaping and nicotine for at least 4 weeks before and at least 4 weeks after surgery. Cut down on alcohol in the weeks before, with none for at least 48 hours before.

Getting Home and Your First Night

After general anaesthetic or sedation, a responsible adult must take you home and stay with you overnight. A car or taxi is fine, but not public transport.

Eating and Drinking

Your admission letter gives your exact fasting times, and it overrides this page. Staying well hydrated up to your cut-off time helps. Eat well, with protein at each meal, in the run-up to surgery.

Feeling Anxious

Feeling anxious before surgery is common and normal. Tell us and we can help, from talking things through to practical options discussed at pre-assessment.

Flying

After bigger operations, typically wait about 4 weeks for long-haul flights. Flying sooner? Discuss with us first. Procedure-specific timings are on your operation's aftercare page.