Preparing well before your operation can make a significant difference to your recovery. Optimising your strength, understanding what to expect, and organising your home before surgery will help you return to normal activities as safely and comfortably as possible.
Hospital Pre Admission Pack
Once your surgery date has been booked Dr Roberts PA will send you a hospital admission pack and an anethatist form that you will need to complete prior to surgery.
Optimise Your Strength
Where possible, maintaining or improving your strength before surgery can enhance your recovery.
For knee and hip procedures, strengthening the muscles around the joint—particularly the quadriceps and gluteal muscles—can improve joint stability and assist with rehabilitation after surgery. Low-impact exercise such as using a stationary bike is an excellent way to activate these muscles while minimising stress on the joint. If your pain allows, regular cycling in the weeks leading up to surgery is encouraged.
Pre-operative Tests
Before surgery, Dr Roberts may arrange:
Blood tests
X-rays, MRI or CT scans to assist with surgical planning
Any additional investigations required for your individual procedure
Please ensure these are completed well before your surgery date.
Medications and Supplements
Please speak with Tim’s nurse before stopping any medication. Some medications are particularly important to continue, but this should only be done under the direction of your surgeon or anaesthetist.
If you take any of the medications listed below, we will need to discuss these with you at least two weeks before your operation.
Anticoagulants and Antiplatelets
Please advise us if you take any of the following:
Clopidogrel
Ticagrelor (Brilinta)
Dipyridamole (Pytazen)
Warfarin (Marevan/Coumadin)
Dabigatran (Pradaxa)
Rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
Apixaban (Eliquis)
SGLT2 Inhibitors – Medications for Type 2 Diabetes
Please advise us if you take any of the following:
Empagliflozin (also known as Jardiance and Jardiamet)
Dapagliflozin (also known as Forxiga and Xigduo XR)
Canagliflozin (also known as Invokana)
GLP-1 Medications
If you are taking any GLP-1 medications for diabetes or weight loss, please advise us at least two weeks before your operation.
Supplements
Some supplements can affect bleeding, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, or the way anaesthetic medications work. The following recommendations indicate when you should stop taking each supplement before your operation.
Supplement - Recommended time to stop
Arnica - Stop 24 hours prior
Ashwagandha - Stop 2 weeks prior
Black Cohosh - Check with anaesthetist
Chamomile - Stop 10 days prior
Dong Quai - Stop 10 days prior
Echinacea - Discontinue as far in advance as possible
Ephedra (Ma Huang) - Stop 24 hours prior
Feverfew - Stop 36 hours prior
Garlic - Stop 7 days prior
Ginger - Stop 7 days prior
Ginkgo Biloba - Stop 36 hours prior
Ginseng - Stop 7 days prior
Goldenseal - Check with anaesthetist
Kava - Stop 24 hours prior
Licorice Root - Stop 10 days prior
Saw Palmetto - Stop 10 days prior
St John’s Wort - Stop 7 days prior
Turmeric - Stop 10 days prior
Valerian - Taper dose over the weeks before surgery
Restarting Supplements
Please discuss with your anaesthetist when it is safe to restart your supplements following your operation.
If you are unsure about any medication or supplement you are taking, please contact Tim’s nurse before making any changes.
Preparing Your Home
Planning ahead will make your recovery easier once you return home. Depending on your procedure, you may require:
Crutches or a walking aid
Ice packs
Loose, comfortable clothing
Slip-on shoes
Assistance with shopping, meals or household tasks during the first few days
If you live in a multi story house it is best to arrange all the things you need regularly in one place
If you are having a hip replacement, we also recommend arranging the following equipment before surgery:
Shower stool
Raised toilet seat or over-toilet frame
Orthopaedic chair with appropriate seat height
Long-handled reacher
If your surgery has been approved by ACC, please contact ACC before your operation to arrange the supply of this equipment. Most patients require these items for approximately six weeks following hip replacement surgery.
Eating and Drinking Before Surgery
For your safety during anaesthesia, you must follow the fasting instructions provided by the hospital.
In most cases:
Do not eat or drink anything for six hours before your scheduled surgery.
If you are having afternoon surgery, you may be permitted to drink small amounts of water up to three hours beforehand, as outlined in your pre-admission instructions.
Failure to follow these instructions may result in your surgery being postponed.
The Day of Surgery
Please arrive at the hospital at the time advised in your pre-admission information. You will not be able to drive home following your surgery so please arrange someone to bring and collect you from the hospital.
Remember to bring:
Any paperwork provided by the hospital
Your current medications (if requested)
Comfortable clothing for your journey home
If you become unwell before your surgery, including developing a fever, chest infection or skin infection, please contact our rooms as soon as possible, as your procedure may need to be postponed.
What to Wear
Please wear loose, comfortable clothing that is easy to change into after surgery.
Depending on your procedure:
Shorts or loose-fitting trousers are ideal after hip or knee surgery.
Slip-on shoes are recommended, as bending to tie shoelaces may be difficult.
Leave jewellery and valuables at home wherever possible.
Private Hospitals
Dr Roberts operates at three hospitals, Southern Cross North Harbour, Allevia and North Shore Surgical Centre. His rooms will advise which hospital your surgery will be at at the time of booking.
Southern Cross North Harbour
232 Wairau Road, Glenfield, Auckland 0627
Allevia Hospital Epsom
98 Mountain Road, Epsom, Auckland 1023
North Shore Surgical Centre
213 Shakespeare Road, Milford, Auckland 0620