What to Expect When Attending for Surgery
If you are booked to have an operation with Mr Nicholas Stylianides, this page explains what usually happens on the day of surgery and what to expect afterwards.
By the time you attend for your operation, the details of your procedure should already have been discussed with you in clinic. You will usually have already signed a consent form confirming that the reasons for surgery, the expected benefits, the main risks, and any alternatives have been explained.
You will still have the opportunity to ask any last-minute questions on the day of surgery.
Before coming to hospital
Before your operation, you will receive instructions from the hospital about how to prepare.
This may include advice about:
- when to stop eating and drinking before your anaesthetic
- which medications to take or avoid
- what time to arrive at the hospital
- what to bring with you
- whether you are likely to go home the same day or stay overnight
Please follow these instructions carefully. If you are unsure about anything, you should contact the hospital or Mr Stylianides’ office before the day of surgery.
Arriving at hospital
On the day of your operation, you will attend Spire Manchester Hospital and be admitted by the nursing staff.
The ward team will check your details, confirm the planned procedure, and make sure all necessary paperwork is in place. You will usually be asked routine questions about your health, allergies, medications, and when you last ate or drank.
Before your surgery
Before your operation, Mr Stylianides will come to see you.
This is an opportunity to:
- say hello and confirm the plan
- answer any last-minute questions
- check that you are well enough for surgery
- confirm the consent form and operative plan
- mark the operation site, if required
Patients having hernia surgery, or other operations where the surgical site needs to be clearly identified, will usually have the area marked before going to theatre.
Seeing the anaesthetist
You will also be seen by the anaesthetist before your operation.
The anaesthetist is the doctor responsible for your anaesthetic and for helping manage your comfort and safety during the procedure.
They will discuss:
- your general health
- previous anaesthetics
- allergies or medication issues
- the type of anaesthetic planned
- pain relief before, during, and after surgery
- sickness prevention, where appropriate
- any specific anaesthetic risks relevant to you
You can ask the anaesthetist any questions about going to sleep, waking up, pain relief, nausea, or recovery.
Going to theatre
When it is time for your operation, you will be taken to the theatre area.
You will usually go first to the anaesthetic room, where you will be greeted by the theatre team, including the Operating Department Practitioner, often called the ODP. The ODP works closely with the anaesthetist and helps look after you before and during your anaesthetic.
Routine safety checks will be carried out. These are standard for every patient and help confirm your identity, the planned operation, and any important medical details.
You will then be given your anaesthetic. For most operations, this means going to sleep under a general anaesthetic.
During the operation
Once you are asleep and comfortable, your operation will be carried out by Mr Stylianides and the theatre team.
The type and length of operation will depend on the procedure you are having. Examples may include hernia repair, gallbladder surgery, haemorrhoid treatment, removal of a lump or skin lesion, or another colorectal or general surgical procedure.
During the operation, the anaesthetic team will continue to monitor you closely. At all times, patient safety is the main priority for everyone in the operating theatre. The surgical, anaesthetic, nursing, and theatre teams work together throughout the procedure to ensure that you are carefully monitored and looked after.
After the operation
After surgery, you will be taken to the recovery area.
In recovery, specially trained recovery nurses will monitor you as you wake up from the anaesthetic. They will check your breathing, blood pressure, pulse, oxygen levels, pain, and general comfort.
If a breathing tube has been used during the anaesthetic, this will be removed when it is safe to do so. Once you are awake enough and the recovery team are happy with your progress, you will be transferred back to the ward.
Back on the ward
Once back on the ward, you will be looked after by the ward nursing team.
They will monitor your recovery, help manage any pain or sickness, and support you with eating, drinking, passing urine, mobilising, and preparing for discharge.
Mr Stylianides will come to see you after the operation to explain how the surgery went and answer any immediate questions.
Going home
Depending on the type of operation and your recovery, you may go home the same day or stay in hospital overnight.
When you are ready for discharge, you will usually go home with:
- painkillers or advice about pain relief
- a discharge summary
- wound care advice
- instructions about activity and recovery
- information about when to seek help
- a sick note, if appropriate
- details of your follow-up appointment
You should make sure you understand your discharge instructions before leaving hospital.
Histology results
Sometimes, tissue is removed during surgery and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
This may include samples such as:
- a gallbladder
- a skin lump
- haemorrhoids
- hernia sac tissue
- bowel or other tissue samples
These results are called histology results. They can take up to around 10 days to be processed by the laboratory.
If any samples are sent, the results will be discussed with you at your follow-up appointment.
Follow-up appointment
A follow-up appointment will be arranged after your operation.
At this appointment, Mr Stylianides will usually:
- review your recovery
- discuss the operation in more detail
- check your wounds or operative site
- discuss any histology results, if applicable
- answer any questions
- advise you about returning to normal activities, exercise, work, or driving
- make any further plans if needed
The aim of follow-up is to make sure you are recovering as expected and that you understand the next steps.
When to seek help after surgery
Before you go home, you will be given advice about who to contact if you have any concerns.
You should seek medical advice if you develop symptoms such as:
- increasing pain that is not controlled with painkillers
- increasing redness, swelling, or discharge from the wound
- fever or feeling generally very unwell
- persistent vomiting
- chest pain or shortness of breath
- heavy bleeding
- difficulty passing urine
- any symptom that causes you significant concern
Most patients recover well after surgery, but it is important to ask for help if something does not feel right.
Questions
It is normal to feel anxious before an operation. You will have the chance to ask questions before surgery, and the team will support you throughout your admission.
The aim is for you to understand what is happening, feel well looked after, and have a clear plan for your recovery after the operation.