Before and After Hospital

From your medical aid scheme authorisation, to medical history, preparation is key for a stress-free admission. Please consult with your medical aid scheme prior to admission, obtaining authorisation if necessary. Any short payments by your medical aid will be for your own account.

• Try and lead a healthy lifestyle before you are admitted. Eat a varied and healthy diet. If you would like any dietary advice the Hospital can refer you to a dietician before or during your stay.
• If you smoke, it is a good idea to give up as soon as you can. The Hospital is a smoke-free environment.
• If you drink alcohol, it is recommended that you reduce the amount or give up drinking for a week before your procedure.
• It is beneficial to increase your fitness and exercise tolerance before surgery. This will obviously depend on your mobility. If you are not used to exercise, try increasing the distance you walk each day.
• Visit the admissions desk to complete your admission forms, receive procedure specific information, and finalise medical aid authorisation.

• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight, even water, unless you are instructed otherwise by your specialist. This is the most important pre-procedural instruction. Stomach contents are hazardous when having any type of anaesthetic.
• In the case of Cardiac Catheterisation and Angiogram – you can have clear liquids up to two hours before the procedure.
• Be sure to follow any specific instructions given to you by your Specialist.
• Take a relaxing bath or shower before coming to the Hospital. If you have been instructed to use antibacterial soap (Hibiscrub), shower and wash from the neck down the night before and repeat the next morning before you leave for the Hospital.
• Try to get a good night’s rest.

Be prepared for those first few days after the surgery by having the house already stocked with groceries and other necessities. Be sure to take the medication your doctor will likely prescribe you for the pain exactly as instructed. Be sure to give your body the fuel it needs to heal, with regular nutritious meals. Prevent infection by cleaning the wound and changing bandages at least twice a day. Sleep in a cool dark room, free of sleep cycle disrupting light from the television or other devices.