Before your operation

If you have any health problems and on any medications, you should let the hospital and anaesthetist know.

In particular, diseases which may affect the surgery/anaesthetic include

  • heart disease
  • lung disease including emphysema, asthma, sleep apnoea
  • diabetes


Medications that will affect surgery include

  • diabetes medications: tablets or insulin
  • blood thinning medications: warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel, pradaxa


Q: Why do I need to fast for my operation?

Generally you have to fast for at least 6 hours prior to having a general anaesthetic.  This is to prevent regurgitation of food during the anaesthesic which may go into your lungs and cause infection.


Q: But I’m having my operation under local anaesthetic. Why do I need to fast?

We have to prepare you just in case we need to revert to a general anaesthetic.