Having an operation - what to expect.

One of the most common reasons to be admitted to Champneys ward at St George's is to have an operation. Below are the most common operations performed and an idea what to expect, however it should be remembered that each patient's experience will be individual to them.

Being admitted to Champneys ward for planned surgery

  • You should come to Champneys reception - usually around 2pm the day before your operation.
  • You may be asked to wait in the waiting room until the doctor is available.
  • You will go through a pre-surgical health checklist and consent form with the doctor who will usually ask you to go and have a series of checks that might include a chest x-ray, ECG and blood tests
  • If you are a dialysis patient you may require dialysis before (and after) your operation
  • If your bed is ready you will then be assigned a bed on the ward.
  • You will complete an admissions checklist with a nurse
  • You will be told when you should stop eating and drinking
  • You may be given an enema and go to the toilet before bedtime

Pre-operative assessment

By medical panel and consultant/registrar interview.

 

Examples of operations carried out by the renal surgery & access teams

  • Catheter insertion (for PD)
  • Catheter removal
  • Line insertions (permacath/tesio)
  • Line removal
  • Fistula creation
  • Kidney transplantation (live & non-live donors)
  • Live donor nephrectomy
  • Parathyroidectomy
  • Hernia repairs
  • Native kidney removal to facilitate transplantation