In advance of coming to hospital, you will need to arrange for a responsible adult to accompany you home and to stay in contact with you for 24 hours following your procedure.
Please shower or bathe, and remove make-up, nail varnish, gel/ acrylic nails, jewellery and piercings before coming in.
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that you can also travel home in.
The instructions below about eating and drinking on the day of your procedure must be followed, to avoid it being cancelled.
It is important to stay hydrated with water and please do not drink any alcohol for 24 hours before your appointment.
If you are having a general anaesthetic
For 7.15am admissions:
- No food, milk, sweets or chewing gum to be consumed after midnight.
- You can drink clear, still unflavoured water, black tea or coffee (without sugar or sweeteners) until 7.00am.
- Try and drink a big glass of water before leaving the house.
- You can sip water while you wait.
For 11.00am admissions:
- Do not eat anything after 7.00am – including chewing gum or sweets; you can have a light breakfast of toast or cereal before then
- You can drink clear, still unflavoured water, black tea or coffee (without sugar or sweeteners) until 11.00am.
- Try and drink a big glass of water before leaving the house.
- You can sip water while you wait.
It is not necessary to avoid food and drink for longer than the times given, as this could cause discomfort and may delay your recovery.
If you are having a local anaesthetic
If you are having a local anaesthetic, you can eat and drink as normal before your procedure.
