Patient Information

You will usually be asked to fast from midnight

You will usually be allowed a light early breakfast (e.g. tea and toast)

In most circumstances, patients are encouraged to drink small amounts of clear fluids for up to two hours prior to anaesthesia

Clear fluids include: water, clear apple fruit juice, clear cordial, black tea, black coffee

Tea or coffee with milk

Cloudy or milk-based drinks

Carbonated drinks

Alcohol

If taking a GLP-1, you will be asked to carry out a 24-hour clear fluid diet prior to surgery with nil by mouth 6 hours prior to your procedure

Your medications

Documentation about your health funds

Your sling/splint if you are using one

If you are taking pain medications, a GLP-1, blood thinners or any other regular medications, please inform Dr Gilpin and your anaesthetist.

You should take your regular medications with a small sip of water on the day of surgery (unless instructed otherwise by the surgeon or the anaesthetist) 

If you are diabetic, taking blood thinners or a GLP-1, you will be given special instructions prior to the surgery (by the anaesthetist or the surgeon) 

Please notify the surgeon as soon as possible if you have any infection (active or recent) or rashes, grazes or cuts on the operative limb.

Please ensure you have emailed your surgical consent forms to the hospital and our rooms as outlined in your surgical information email

Please remove all jewellery before surgery. 

Shower the morning of your surgery. If you are having a shoulder replacement, use the Chlorhexidine and Benzoyl Peroxide wash as instructed.

Wear loose fitting clothes that are able to be easily put on and will fit possible bulky dressing. 

You should arrange for someone to take you home after surgery. You will need to have someone staying with you for the first 24 hours after your general anaesthesia. 

It is ideal to cease smoking weeks prior to your elective surgery as smoking increases the risk of complications. 

You have been prescribed analgesia. Please take according to instructions.

If you are uncertain about instructions or have questions or concerns, please contact our rooms on 3834 6533.

Please do not get your wound wet. You can shower or bathe, but you will need to make modifications to ensure that your wound does not get wet.

Please leave your dressings on, and do not touch the wound. 

Elevate the surgical site as much as possible in the first 72 hrs post operatively. This may help to decrease swelling and pain.

Please make an appointment and attend your post-operative therapy. It is a key component of rehabilitation and will help you to get the best results.

If instructed please obtain an X-ray on the day of, or day prior to your post-operative review and keep a record of where this was done so these images can be reviewed at your appointment.

A referral form will be provided if you need to get an x-ray done.

You do not need to make an appointment with the radiology provider to get an x-ray. 

A post-operative appointment will be included in your surgical information email. If this has not already been made, please call the rooms to organise.

If antibiotics are prescribed, please take the full course as directed.

Take your normal prescription medications as usual unless you have been otherwise advised.

If you have any concerns, please call the rooms on (07) 3834 6533.

Maintain good nutrition and a balanced diet.

We suggest you avoid alcohol and smoking for as long as possible.