Before surgery - FAQs

Health: you should be in the best possible health before your surgery and try to lose weight if you are overweight, as this will benefit the longevity of your hip and your overall health. However we understand that loosing large amounts of weight before surgery can be difficult for some people due to reduced mobility.

Smoking: we recommend that you stop smoking prior to your surgery, or at least cut down as smoking can affect the way your blood flows, delaying healing and slowing recovery. For information on how to stop smoking, visit www.gosmmokefree.nhs.uk or Tel: 0800 1690169.

Teeth: make sure that you get any dental problems fully treated before your surgery. Although uncommon, infections can result from dental procedures if bacteria enter your bloodstream.

You need to notify The London Hip Unit if you develop any kind of infection in the week before your surgery. If you have eczema or psoriasis and develop a patch over the area, which will be operated on, please contact us immediately.

We will discuss with you at your pre-assessment appointment which of your drugs you should stop taking before surgery.

Most drugs will only need to be stopped ten days in advance. However, some patients may need to continue their medication.

It is recommended that the combined oral contraception pill should be stopped four weeks before surgery due to an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis. Progesterone only contraceptive pills do not need to be discontinued.

Do not stop medication without first consulting The London Hip Unit or your GP.

If you have your own crutches or sticks you can take them into the hospital otherwise the hospital can sell them to you whilst you are an inpatient. Other equipment can be purchased from the hospitals, local disability shops, and large chemists, Argos or the Red Cross. If you want to hire equipment, Direct Mobility Hire hires out equipment within the M25 (contact 0800 092 93 22). It is best to wait until after your pre-assessment appointment to purchase equipment, as the nurse will advise you on what you will need.

Your 'Guide for Patients' lists what you'll need during your stay in hospital.

Your anaesthetist will explain and assess which anaesthetic methods will be most suitable for you.

Most patients will have surgery under a general anaesthetic. However, sometimes it is possible to have a local spinal anaesthetic that makes you numb from the waist down. With this type of anaesthetic you feel no pain but remain conscious and you can choose additional sedation to make you feel sleepy and relaxed.

Further information on anaesthetics is available at: www.youranasethetic.info or www.aagbi.org.

Please let us know if you have a strong preference about your anaesthetic.