Dr James Aridas · Obstetrics & Gynaecology Pre-admission instructions

P. 03 8400 6193 | F. 03 8400 6194 | E. hello@drjamesaridas.com.au | drjamesaridas.com.au

Preparing for your procedure

Read this as soon as your date is confirmed. Some medication changes need to start up to a week before admission. If anything here is unclear, or conflicts with advice from another doctor, ring the rooms rather than guessing.

Your details.
Procedure: Date:
Hospital: Arrival time:
Stop eating from: Stop clear fluids from:

Fasting

Your arrival time is not your fasting time — fasting is counted from your scheduled procedure time, which the hospital will confirm. If in doubt, follow the times written in the box above.

What	Stop	Notes
Food, milk, lollies, chewing gum	6 hours before	Including milk in tea or coffee.
Clear fluids	2 hours before	Water, black tea or coffee, clear apple juice. No fizzy drinks or juice with pulp.
Alcohol	24 hours before	Interacts with anaesthetic agents.
Smoking and vaping	As early as possible	Stopping even 24 hours before reduces breathing complications.

Worked example

For a procedure scheduled at 10:00 am, stop eating at 4:00 am (so finish supper the night before) and stop clear fluids at 8:00 am. For an afternoon list at 2:00 pm, you may have a light breakfast before 8:00 am and clear fluids until midday.

Medications

Bring a current list, or the boxes themselves, to admission. Unless you have been told otherwise:

Medication	What to do	Notes
Blood thinners — warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban, clopidogrel	Ask before stopping	Timing is individual and must be confirmed with me and, where relevant, your cardiologist or haematologist.
Aspirin	Usually continue	Confirm if you take it for a heart or clotting condition.
Anti-inflammatories — ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac	Stop 5 days before	Paracetamol is fine.
Herbal supplements — fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo, garlic, turmeric	Stop 7 days before	Several increase bleeding.
Metformin and other diabetes medicines	Ask before stopping	Insulin doses are adjusted individually; the hospital will advise.
GLP-1 medicines — semaglutide, tirzepatide	Stop 7 days before	They slow stomach emptying, which raises anaesthetic risk.
Blood pressure, thyroid, epilepsy, asthma, reflux	Continue as normal	Take with a small sip of water on the morning.
The pill or hormone therapy	Ask before stopping	May be stopped before longer operations because of clot risk.

On the day

Before you leave home

Shower with soap. Do not apply moisturiser, deodorant, perfume or talc.
Remove all jewellery and piercings, including rings and rings you never take off. Leave valuables at home.
Remove nail polish, gel and acrylic nails from at least two fingers on each hand — the oxygen monitor cannot read through them.
Remove make-up, including mascara and lash extensions.
Do not shave the operative area; the theatre team will do this if needed.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing and flat shoes.

What to bring

Medicare card, private health card and any concession card.
Your medication list or the medicines themselves, in their boxes.
Recent scans, blood test results and any letters you have been given.
Glasses case, hearing aid case, inhaler, CPAP machine if you use one.
Toiletries, a phone charger and something to read if you are staying overnight.
Loose underwear and sanitary pads — light bleeding after gynaecological surgery is normal. Do not use tampons.

Getting home

You must not drive, ride, or travel home alone for 24 hours after a general anaesthetic or sedation, and you must have a responsible adult with you overnight. Taxis and rideshare do not count as an escort. Day surgery will be cancelled on the day if no arrangement is in place.

Please ring the rooms before your admission if you develop a cold, fever, cough or any infection; you think you may be pregnant; your period arrives and your procedure involves the uterus or cervix; another doctor changes your medications; or you need to reschedule. Cancellation inside two business days may attract a fee — see the fees policy.

If something is wrong afterwards

Ring the rooms on 03 8400 6193 during business hours. Outside hours, contact the hospital where you were treated, or attend your nearest emergency department. Call 000 for heavy bleeding, severe pain not controlled by your pain relief, chest pain, breathing difficulty, fever above 38°C, or a hot, swollen, painful calf.

This sheet is general information about preparing for a procedure. Your own instructions — particularly fasting times and medication changes — take precedence, and the hospital will confirm your arrival time directly.