Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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Preparation for your surgery
Most patients will need to take bowel preparation to help clear the bowel prior to surgery. You will also be given an antibiotic, which you will need to take the day before. All of this will be explained to you during your pre-assessment, and additional information will be given to you.
You will be given carbohydrate-rich drinks (preOp™) to have the day before your operation and on the morning of surgery. These preloading drinks will increase the amount of carbohydrate stored in your body, which has been proven to aid better recovery following your operation.
The recommendation is to have 4 x 200-ml bottles of preOp™ the night before surgery and 2 x 200-ml bottles two hours before your anaesthesia. These are best served chilled and shaken well before use.
*preOp drinks are not suitable for patients with diabetes
On the day before your operation, please avoid drinking alcohol- and caffeine-containing drinks, including coffee and tea.
We ask that you follow a low-fibre diet two days prior to your operation, and below is an example of the foods that are allowed and those that you need to avoid.
|
Food Groups |
Foods Allowed | Foods not allowed |
|
Protein |
All tender and lean beef, veal, lamb, pork, ham, chicken, turkey, fish, seafood. All eggs, tofu, and quorn, Smooth pâté |
Tough, gristly meat, Skin and bones of fish, Firm beans, chickpeas, and humus; lentils with skins; baked beans and pulses; skins of meat, i.e., sausages |
| Starchy foods and cereals | White bread/flour/pasta/rice/bagels, Plain naan bread, plain chapatti, and plain crackers, poppadoms, Cornflakes/rice krispies/coco pops/sugar puffs/frosted flakes, Potatoes (no skins), Rice noodles, Yorkshire pudding | Products containing nuts or dried fruit, i.e., wholemeal, granary bread, or flour, Wholemeal pasta, Brown or wild rice, Pearl barley, quinoa, and wheatgerm, Wholegrain noodles, Whole-wheat cereals (weetabix/bran flakes), porridge/muesli, Oat cakes, Ryvita, rice cakes |
| Seeds and nuts | Smooth nut butter | All, including almonds, chestnuts, and coconut, Coarse nut butter |
| Dairy | Milk (all types), Plain Cheese, cream cream fraiche and yoghurt | Yoghurts or cheeses containing nuts, fruits, cereals, or dried fruit |
| Vegetables | Flesh only, cooked, without skins, seeds, or pips, Carrots, swede, parsnips, pumpkin, aubergine, beetroot, courgette, spinach (cooked), mange-tout, asparagus, tinned tomatoes, marrow, tomato, cucumber, peppers, butternut squash, and avocado | Raw vegetables/salad, All stalks, skins, pips, seeds, and stones, Broad beans, runner beans, peas, sweetcorn, Brussels sprouts, whole tomatoes, coleslaw, and onion |
| Fruit | Soft, ripe, peeled fruit without skins or pips Tinned and stewed fruit. Peaches, plums, melon, nectarines, apricot, ripe banana, apples, pears, peeled grapes, de-seeded Kiwi, mango |
All dried fruit and figs, Citrus fruit, Berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, gooseberries) |
| Desserts/ sweets |
Plain sponge cakes, scones, and muffins, without dried fruit or nuts, Clear jelly, milk puddings, custard, ice cream, semolina, rice pudding, and marzipan, Chocolate without fruit or nuts, boiled sweets, Plain and chocolate biscuits |
Cakes, biscuits, or puddings containing wholemeal flour, nuts, or dried fruit, Mince pies or fruit crumbles, Digestive biscuits, Popcorn, Dried coconut, Flapjack, fruit cake, and cereal bars |
| Beverages | Still water, Fruit juices, Cordial/squash, Herbal/fruit tea, Decaffeinated coffee/tea, Clear soups, Smooth coconut milk | Strong tea or coffee (maximum of 2–3 regular cups per day), Carbonated drinks, i.e., Coca-Cola, Red Bull if diarrhoea, Alcohol Smoothies or fruit juices with bits |
| Miscellaneous | Sugar, honey, golden syrup, boiled sweets, caramel, lemon curd, smooth jam, plain chocolate, marshmallows, pepper or salt, smooth soup, passata, tomato sauce, and soy sauce | Jam with skin or seeds Large amounts of herbs, chilies, spices, and mustard Corn chips, Soup with vegetable pieces |
What should you bring with you?
When you come into the hospital, we recommend that you bring the following items:
- Any current medication you are taking
- Nightwear
- Day clothes* (up to 4 days) (preferably with a loose elasticated waist)
- Well-fitted slippers
- Well-fitted shoes
- Toiletries (including a shaving kit if applicable)
- Mobility aids (if applicable)
- Hearing aids or glasses (if applicable)
- Magazines/books/other entertainment
*We encourage patients to bring in their own clothes to wear after surgery, as this supports early recovery and helps protect your privacy and dignity.
We recommend that you do not bring large amounts of money. It is also advisable to leave valuables at home if they are not essential.
What to expect on discharge
Following your surgery, you will be prescribed an injection of a drug called Dalteparin, which helps reduce your risk of getting a blood clot. This is known as deep vein thrombosis, or DVT. The total number of days you will need this is 28 days from the day of your operation. However, if you are already on any anti-coagulants, you may not need the Dalteparin; this will be assessed during your hospital stay.
Dalteparin (fragmin) is administered daily into your thigh using a very small needle. You will be taught how to administer this by your nurse, who is caring for you.
You will also be asked to wear elastic stockings while in the hospital, as these can help prevent blood clots. You can usually take these off the day you are discharged, but we would recommend you move around regularly when at home.
Other things to think about before discharge:
- Do you have someone to collect you on discharge?
- Make sure you have submitted repeat prescriptions prior to admission, so you have enough regular medications at home.
Following your discharge
Following discharge, your histology from your surgery usually takes about three weeks to be processed. Your results are then discussed at our multidisciplinary meeting (MDT). You should expect an outpatient appointment for a review 4 weeks post-operatively.
Please call your clinical nurse specialist if you have any concerns following your discharge.
Useful contact numbers
|
Colorectal Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) (Wexham Park and Frimley Park) |
Cancer navigator number: 0300 613 3535 |
|
Wexham Park Hospital CNS Team |
|
|
Stoma Care Nurses |
Telephone Number: 0300 615 3734 Email: fhft. |
|
Alcohol Specialist Nurse WPH |
|
|
Frimley Park Hospital CNS Team |
|
|
Stoma Care Nurses |
Telephone Number: 0300 613 6301 Email: fhft. |
|
Alcohol Specialist Nurse FPH |
|
|
Stop Smoking Nurse |
Hilary Naudi 0300 613 6246 |
|
Ward contact numbers
Frimley Park Hospital Parkside 0300 613
|
Wexham Park Hospital Parkside 0300 6154550 Ward 10 0300 6154440 Ward 11 0300 6154631 Ward 2 0300 6153132 |
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the General surgery service.
About this information
Service:
General surgery
Reference:
H/049
Approval date:
8 July 2025
Review date:
1 February 2027
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.