Procedure Information
The Doctor will discuss the purpose, nature, risks and side effects of the proposed procedure at your consultation. You should also receive a written information sheet with these details. The risks may vary depending on your medical conditions. If you have any questions or concerns about the procedure then please contact us. A consent form will be done as part of the booking paperwork.
Admission Forms
We require a fully completed hospital admission form in order to book your procedure. This will generally be done at the consultation when you book the procedure. Sometimes the forms will be mailed to you. Please complete the Hospital form and return it to our practice as soon as possible, either in person or by mail (34 Railway Parade, Midland WA 6056). Once we have received this form we will be able to confirm your booking.
Health & medication changes
Please inform us immediately if you develop a new health problem or change any of your medications between the consultation and your procedure. Failure to do so may result in your procedure being cancelled on the day.
Driving & Afterwards
The effects of the procedure and sedation can last for many hours. You must arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home and remain with you for 24 hours afterwards. Failure to make these arrangements will result in your procedure being cancelled.
During this 24 hour period you should NOT drink alcohol, drive a vehicle, operate machinery, make important decisions, sign legal documents or travel unaccompanied.
Fasting
We require fasting from water for 2 hours and all solids and other liquids for 6 hours before the procedure. That means:
- For all procedures, PLEASE DRINK WATER up until 2 hours before you arrive at the hospital. This keeps you hydrated and improves recovery. Other drinks such as coffee, tea and so on should NOT be consumed for 6 hours beforehand.
- For morning procedures, please DO NOT EAT after midnight.
- For afternoon procedures, please DO NOT EAT after 7am.
- You may take your usual medications (see below) with a small sip of water
Allergies
It is vital that you inform us of any allergies that you know about, especially
- Latex (natural rubber products)
- Iodine, Betadine
- X-ray dye (Contrast media)
- Local anaesthetics
- Corticosteroids (cortisone, steroids)
- General anaesthetics
- opioids (morphine-like medications)
Medication Changes
Diabetic tablets, Insulin and Blood thinners (anti-coagulants) require special management. See the later section on this.
Other medications can be taken as usual, unless the anaesthetist instructs otherwise
Diabetic medications
Some medications need to be stopped, altered or continued as follows:
- Insulin for morning procedures – Omit morning dose; check blood glucose level after procedure; restart with next meal
- Insulin for afternoon procedures – Use half usual morning dose; check blood glucose level at 9am, 12pm and after procedure; restart with next meal
- “SGLT2 Inhibitors” = empaglifozin (Jardiance, Jardiamet), dapaglifozin (Forxiga, Xigduo), and canagliflozin (Invokana) - STOP 1 day before; restart when eating and drinking (this may be the following day)
- Metformin (many brand names) - can be continued
- All other oral diabetic medications – STOP on day of procedure; restart when eating and drinking
ALL diabetic patients need to monitor their blood glucose levels when fasting and after the procedure. Most procedures incorporate a corticosteroid which usually increases blood glucose levels for several days. There may be a need to increase usual diabetic medications for a while. If BSL > 14 then seek medical attention.
Blood thinners (anticoagulants)
The table below lists some medications that can increase your chance of bleeding during or after the procedure. There may also be risks associated with stopping these medications. Therefore, the decision about stopping them is individualised depending on your medical conditions and the procedure being done. It is important that you discuss this with your specialist and only stop the medication if you specifically advised to do so.
Please inform us if you are taking any of the following medications:
Medication |
Brand names |
Usually stop for |
Restart |
Aspirin |
|
7 days |
24 Hours |
Clopidegrel |
Plavix, Iscover |
7-10 days |
24 Hours |
Dipyridamole |
Persantin, Asasantin |
48 hours |
24 Hours |
Prasugrel |
Effient |
7 days |
24 Hours |
Ticagrelor |
Brilinta |
5 days |
24 Hours |
Dabigatrin |
Pradaxa |
2-5 days |
24 Hours |
Rivaroxiban |
Xarelto |
1-3 days |
24 Hours |
Apixaban |
Eliquis |
2-5 days |
24 Hours |
Warfarin |
Marvan, Coumadin |
5 days* |
24 Hours* |
Garlic tablets |
|
7 days |
24 Hours |
Ginkgo biloba tablets |
|
7 days |
24 Hours |
Ibuprofen |
Nurofen, Brufen etc |
1 day |
24 Hours |
Diclofenac |
Voltaren etc |
1 day |
24 Hours |
Ketorolac |
Toradol |
1 day |
24 Hours |
Indomethacin |
Indocid, Inza etc |
2 days |
24 Hours |
Naproxen |
Naprosyn |
4 days |
24 Hours |
Meloxicam |
Mobic |
4 days |
24 Hours |
Piroxicam |
Feldene |
10 days |
24 Hours |