Preparing for your procedure
There are a few aspects of treatment that you need to be aware of:
1. Fasting. All patients are required to fast for 6 hours prior to their procedure. During the procedure, it is possible for stomach contents to end up in the lungs (aspiration). Hence pts are required to fast prior to their procedure. Not fasting properly increases your risk of complications of the anaesthetic. We will work with carers or next of kin if a patient requires assistance in this regards, to ensure your risk is properly minimised.
2. Loose fitting clothing. Please ensure that you have clothing that is loose and comfortable. Children are welcome to dress in pyjamas and a dressing gown for example. For adults, tracksuits and T shirts allows us to apply monitoring easily.
3. Ensure you have an adult or carer with you for 24 hours following your procedure.
4. Medications around the time of your procedure. Some patients may be on medications that need to be stopped or altered prior to your procedure. Please inform us if you are on the following
- Diabetes medications. Insulin regimes and some medications e.g. SGLT2 inhibitors - Dapagliflozin (Forxiga), Empagliflozin (Jardiance), and Ertugliflozin (Steglatro), will need to be with-held for 3 days prior to your procedure.
- Anticoagulants - patients on blood thinning medications may need to have these ceased or with-held for several days - examples include the following:
- warfarin (brand names Coumadin, Marevan)
- dabigatran (Pradaxa)
- apixaban (Eliquis)
- rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
- Parkinsons medications - some medications require precise timing otherwise a dose may be missed, with resulting difficulties with movement. Please ensure you bring these with you.
5. Smoking - if you are currently smoking, please be aware that this increases your risk of your procedure. If you can cease smoking prior to your procedure, this is strongly recommended.
If you have any questions about your medications around your procedure - please contact us at