Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS)

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is a multidisciplinary approach to help people recover more quickly after major surgery. It’s sometimes called rapid or accelerated recovery.

Before your surgery
Day of surgery
After your surgery
Useful resources

The aims of enhanced recovery are to ensure you:

are as healthy as possible before your surgery
get the best possible care during your surgery
get the best possible care during your recovery

Find out more about enhanced recovery after surgery.

Before your surgery

You will meet your surgeon to discuss the risks and benefits of your planned surgery. Your family, carers and GP will also be involved in early discussions, to help you understand and plan for your surgery.

You will then attend an assessment clinic with a nurse or anaesthetist, where we will ask about your general health and check you’re fit for surgery. You should bring along any prescriptions with you.

Before your surgery, you should also:

continue to move and exercise
stop smoking, to reduce the risk of complications
ask about physiotherapy hip and knee school

Day of surgery

You will go to Hazleton Ward on the day of your surgery, where you will meet with:

the surgical team
the anaesthetist
nursing staff

You should stop eating food 6 hours before your surgery this includes chewing gum and sucking mints or sweets. You are able to drink clear fluids such as plain water or black tea/coffee with no milk up until 2 hours before your surgery.

When it’s time for your surgery, we will transfer you to theatre where we will take your blood pressure and observations before starting anaesthetic.

Once your surgery has finished, you will be moved to the recovery area before going back to the ward.

After your surgery

We will help you get moving and eat normally as soon as possible after your surgery. Any pain or sickness will be treated, so we can get you back on your usual diet.

Once your anaesthetic has worn off, our nursing staff will help get you up and about on the day you have your surgery. Our main aims will be to help you: