Patient Information
Preoperative Information
For patients
Venue
Dr Bhutia performs all open surgical procedures in the Operating Theatres at Cairns Private Hospital and all endovascular procedures in the new Discovery Cardiac Cath Lab at Cairns Private Hospital. Port insertion/removals can be done in either venue. Please enter the Cairns Private Hospital through the main entrance and ask for directions at the reception desk situated on the ground floor.
When to arrive
Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled time. The times given are only approximate and can change at the last minute due to competing clinical priorities or if the previous procedure takes longer than expected due to a variety of reasons. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience that this may cause.
Preoperative blood test
A routine set of blood test is required usually within a few days prior to the procedure unless you have already had a set of the relevant blood test done recently.
Fasting
Before any procedure requiring general anaesthesia/regional anaesthesia/sedation, you need to be fasting for six hours prior to your procedure. You should take your normal medications on the morning of the procedure with a small sip of water. Specific instructions would have been given to stop any blood thinners prior to the procedure. If you take fish oil supplements this should be stopped 1 week in advance as it can increase the chance of postoperative bleeding.
You can drink small amounts of clear fluids like water, clear fruit juice, etc up to 2 hours prior to the procedure.
Discharge
For day case procedure you can go home the same day once you have recovered fully in the recovery area. You must have an attendant who can take you home and be with you that evening to satisfy the discharge criteria. If you live alone or if you are from out of town it may be best to organise an overnight stay in the hospital to ensure your safety.
Admission
Following a major endovascular procedure, you will be admitted to the Coronary Care Unit for an overnight stay and then either discharged home or sent to a general ward as required. Following an open operation, you are usually admitted to the Surgical Ward.
Post-op
Dr Bhutia will give appropriate advice at the end of the procedure regarding any postop reviews.
If you are admitted to the hospital Dr Bhutia will leave instructions with the staff to let you go home the day after if you are well. If clinically indicated Dr Bhutia will visit you the day after the procedure and organise appropriate follow up.