Your questions about surgery, answered

Only if you meet the readiness criteria: a pain-free emergency stop, full mirror checks, no sedating medicines, and feeling confident. For many operations this takes longer than a day.

It depends on your operation and how soon after surgery the flight is. Tell your surgical team your travel dates as early as possible so they can advise, and so you can rearrange the booking if needed.

Tell the team exactly what your job involves. A phased return with lighter duties at first can often be arranged, rather than an all-or-nothing date.

Light exercise is often fine by then, but heavy lifting and contact sport usually need longer. Let comfort and your operation guide lead you.

Some tablets, called SGLT2 inhibitors, can cause a dangerous acid build-up in the blood when you are fasting or unwell, even if your sugar looks normal. Stopping them before surgery prevents this.

Usually you take a reduced dose of your long-acting insulin, but not your mealtime insulin. Follow your written plan exactly.

It can. Keeping your sugar in the target range, stopping smoking, and eating enough protein help your wound heal.

For many small procedures, such as skin surgery or dental work, yes. The team will tell you.

Most people do not. Injections are only for people at very high risk of clots, such as those with certain heart valves.

On the date written in your plan, usually 1 to 3 days after the operation for tablets, depending on the bleeding risk.

Only if they would change what we do. If you can climb two flights of stairs without stopping, you often need no extra tests.

For a planned operation, it is usually safer to wait, ideally 6 months after a stent for stable disease or 12 months after a heart attack. We will decide with your cardiologist.

Yes. Shisha and vaping also affect your lungs, heart, and healing. Stopping before surgery helps.

Because you have taken steroids for some time, your body may not make enough of its own steroid under the stress of surgery. Extra steroid keeps your blood pressure safe.

Yes. Never miss it. The team will give you extra on the day.

Usually not. Most current guidance advises continuing it, with a liquid diet the day before for some people. Follow the plan we give you.

When you are eating and drinking normally. If you missed several doses, your doctor may restart a lower dose.

Possibly, but it depends on the exact medicine and your operation. It is planned with your specialist — please do not stop it yourself.

Age alone does not decide this. We look at fitness, independence, and other health problems, and we will be honest about the risks and benefits for this specific person.

This is called delirium. It is common after surgery in older adults, is usually temporary, and the team is treating the cause and supporting her through it.

Usually not. Most people recover fully over days to weeks, though recovery can take longer in people who already had memory problems.

In most units, yes, where it is safe to do so. Ask your anesthesia team about their policy.

Modern guidance allows most children clear fluids until 1 hour before anesthesia, which is kinder and safer than fasting overnight.

This is common and manageable. Bring a comfort toy, use simple honest words, and ask the team about preparation materials. The team will support both of you.