03 9592 8362

Pre-operative Information

General instructions before surgery

  • If you have a complex medical history, you may be referred to a perioperative physician to optimise your health and minimise risks before surgery. Additional tests, such as an ECG, echocardiogram, or lung function tests, may be arranged.
  • If you develop a cold, persistent cough, fever, or any other illness, or if you need to cancel your surgery, please notify Dr Free as soon as possible. Where possible, aim to provide more than one week’s notice.

One week before surgery

You will be contacted approximately one week prior to your procedure to confirm: 

  • Which medications to withhold
  • Your fasting instructions
  • Your arrival time and location on the day of surgery

Common medications that may need to be stopped include: 

  • Diabetic medications
  • Blood thinners (e.g. aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, rivaroxaban, apixaban)
  • Immunomodulators (e.g. Humira)
  • Anti-inflammatories (e.g. ibuprofen)

Please contact Dr Free if you develop any cuts, scratches, or broken skin on the surgical leg before your operation 

For knee replacement surgery 

  • Wash the affected leg daily with 4% chlorhexidine soap for 3 days prior to surgery
  • Complete the final wash on the morning of your operation
  • Chlorhexidine soap is available from Chemist Warehouse pharmacies

24 hours before surgery

Fasting

  • If your surgery is in the morning – begin fasting from midnight the night before
  • If your surgery is in the afternoon – begin fasting from 6:00am on the day of surgery

Do not consume alcohol for at least 24 hours before surgery

The day of surgery