Your Vascular Surgery
It is important that you read the information in this page regarding your vascular surgery before your admission to hospital.
The day of your surgery
Fasting instructions for general anaesthetic procedures. You will be told if this applies to you.
Morning admission
Do not eat any food, including sweets and chewing gum or have any drinks after midnight on the day before surgery.
From midnight up until 7:00 am on the morning of your surgery, you can only drink sips of water.
Afternoon admission
Do not eat any food, including sweets and chewing gum or have any drinks after 8:00 am on the morning of surgery. You may eat a light breakfast before 8:00 am.
From 8:00 am up until midday on the day of your surgery, you can only drink sips of water
Fasting instructions for local anaesthetic procedures. You will be told if this applies to you.
- You can have a light meal up to 2 hours before your admission. You must not have anything to eat or drink within the 2 hours before your procedure.
Medication
On the morning of your surgery, take all of your usual medication at the normal time with a small amount of water unless instructed otherwise.
Covid-19 testing
You may need to have a Covid-19 test before your surgery and during your inpatient stay. If a Covid-19 test is required, your consultant’s secretary will arrange for you to have this done.
If you have symptoms of Covid-19 or test positive for Covid-19 before your admission to hospital then please inform your consultant’s secretary.
Blood tests before your admission
You may need to have a blood test before your admission. If this is needed, you will be given a ‘Blood Request’ form. Please arrange to have this blood taken 2 to 4 days before your surgery date and remember to take the ‘Blood Request’ form with you.
You can have your blood taken at the following places:
- Your GP’s surgery
- West Block Outpatients, Cheltenham General Hospital
- Edward Jenner Unit, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.
Skin preparation before surgery
Antimicrobial wash
If needed, you will be given a bottle of antimicrobial wash to use the evening before and the morning of your surgery. Please follow the instruction leaflet given to you with the antimicrobial wash.
Personal hygiene
If you do not require an antimicrobial wash, it is still important that you have a bath, shower or a good strip wash on the day of your surgery. This will help to prevent bacteria coming into hospital and reduce the risk of infection.
Items to bring to the hospital
- Your current medication in the original packaging, including inhalers and a written list of all medication and the doses you take.
- A clean dressing gown and slippers.
- Overnight items; clean nightwear, towel, soap, deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste.
- Do not bring anything valuable with you.
Problems before your operation
If you are unwell between your pre-assessment appointment and your admission date or have any of the following, please contact your GP for advice and also let your consultant’s secretary know.
- You have Covid-19 symptoms.
- You have a cough, cold or chest infection.
- You have a urinary tract infection.
- You have a skin infection or a broken, sore area of skin.
- You are admitted to hospital or have had another surgical procedure.
Smoking
Smoking is not allowed anywhere in the hospital building or grounds.
Giving up smoking before or during your hospital stay can speed up recovery and help to reduce the risk of complications.
To find out more about stopping smoking, please contact your GP or Healthy Lifestyles Gloucestershire at www.hlsglos.org or on 0800 122 3788.
Planning for your discharge
Planning your discharge from hospital is important. Thinking about the points below can help to make sure that your discharge is not delayed.
- Arrange who will bring you and take you home from hospital.
- Who will look after you when you are discharged home?
- Who will help with your shopping if needed?
- Do any arrangements need to be made in your home to make it safe?
- Do you need any repeat prescriptions, to stop you from running out of medication?
Problems after discharge
You will be given information by your discharging nurse on what to do if you have a problem after your discharge. Your first point of contact should be your GP who will be able to advise or guide you on where to seek additional support if needed.
Contact information
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your consultant’s secretary:
Mr David Cooper
Tel: 0300 422 3345
Mr Sachin Kulkarni
Tel: 0300 422 3355
Mr Jonathan Nicholls
Tel 0300 422 3544
Mr Sharath Paravastu
Tel: 0300 422 3331
Mr Vivek Vardhan
Tel: 0300 422 3345
Mr Richard Wilson
Tel: 0300 422 3343
If your call is not answered, leave your name, telephone number, a short message and someone will return your call.
You can also contact your consultant’s secretary via the hospital switchboard.
Gloucestershire Hospitals Switchboard
Tel: 0300 422 2222
When prompted, ask for the operator then for your consultant’s secretary.
Ward 2A
Tel: 0300 422 6776
Department of Critical Care
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
Tel: 0300 422 6178
Cheltenham General Hospital
Tel: 0300 422 4013
Vascular Advanced Nurse Practitioner
Tel: 0300 422 2897
Further information
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
This website gives ward information, maps of the hospital and access to patient information.
Website: www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk
Royal College of Anaesthetists
The following website will give you information about how to prepare yourself before your operation to enable a better recovery.
Website: www.rcoa.ac.uk/fitterbettersooner
Circulation Foundation
This website provides information and support on vascular disease.