Hospital Admission: What to Expect and What to Ask
Admission is stressful and administrative at exactly the moment you have least attention to spare. Knowing the sequence in advance makes it far easier.
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Most surgery postponements happen for avoidable reasons — a missing report, an unstopped blood thinner, an unfasted stomach. Here is how to arrive ready.
Two weeks before
- Complete all pre-operative investigations and collect the reports
- Attend the pre-anaesthetic consultation with your full medicine list
- Discuss blood thinners, aspirin, clopidogrel, diabetes medicines and herbal supplements — several must be stopped, and the timing is specific
- Stop smoking; even two weeks improves wound healing and lung function measurably
- Inform the team of any allergies, previous anaesthetic problems, or loose teeth
- Arrange insurance pre-authorisation
- Confirm who will stay with you as attendant and who will take you home
Worth knowing
Bring every medicine you take, including ayurvedic, homeopathic and over-the-counter supplements, in their original packets. Several affect bleeding, blood pressure or anaesthesia.
The night before
- Follow fasting instructions exactly — typically no solid food for six hours and no clear fluids for two hours before the scheduled time
- Take only the medicines you have been specifically told to take, with a sip of water
- Bathe with soap the night before and again in the morning if advised
- Do not shave the operative area yourself; the theatre team will do it correctly
- Remove nail polish, and plan to remove jewellery, contact lenses and dentures
- Get a full night's sleep and avoid alcohol
- Pack your bag and keep documents together
What to bring
- All reports, scans and previous discharge summaries
- Identity proof and insurance card
- All current medicines in original packaging
- Loose, comfortable, front-opening clothes
- Toiletries, a towel, and slippers with grip
- Spectacles rather than contact lenses
- A small amount of cash and a phone charger
- Leave valuables and jewellery at home
Questions worth asking your surgeon
- What exactly is being done, and why is it necessary now?
- What are the alternatives, including doing nothing?
- What are the specific risks in my case?
- How long is the operation, and how long is the hospital stay?
- What kind of anaesthesia will be used?
- How much pain should I expect, and how will it be managed?
- When can I eat, walk, bathe, drive, and return to work?
- What is the total estimated cost, and what is covered?
- Who do I contact if there is a problem after discharge?
After surgery
Early movement matters more than most patients expect. Sitting up, deep breathing and walking as soon as permitted reduce the risk of chest infection and blood clots substantially. Ask for pain relief rather than enduring pain — uncontrolled pain prevents you from moving and breathing properly, which is how complications start.
Before you leave, make sure you understand your medicines, wound care, warning signs, activity limits and follow-up date. Ask for it in writing and in the language you are most comfortable reading.
Key takeaways
- Bring every medicine including supplements — several affect bleeding and anaesthesia.
- Follow fasting instructions precisely; a full stomach postpones surgery.
- Ask about risks, recovery timeline and total cost before consenting.
- Early movement and adequate pain relief prevent most post-operative complications.
A note on medical advice
This article is general health education written and reviewed by the Patient Care Services at SIMS. It is not a substitute for an examination, a diagnosis or the advice of your own treating doctor, and it cannot account for your history, medicines or reports. If a symptom is sudden or severe — chest pain, stroke symptoms, breathing difficulty, serious injury, seizures or heavy bleeding — call 9281862028 or come straight to the emergency department instead of reading further.
SurgeryPre-operativeAnaesthesiaPatient guide
