What to expect before and on the day of your surgery

What to bring with you

You will have a pre-op appointment at your local hospital ahead of your surgery day where we will discuss with you what is likely to happen and how long you are likely to stay.

Depending on how complex your surgery is, a member of the therapy team may contact you prior to your operation.

You may also be asked to do some exercises before your operation. You can find those here:

Pre-op exercise videos

Watch a video explaining pre operative hip replacement exercises. The video opens in a new window which takes you to YouTube where accessibility controls may not be supported.

Watch a video explaining pre operative knee replacement exercises. The video opens in a new window which takes you to YouTube where accessibility controls may not be supported.

Watch a video explaining pre operative ankle replacement exercises. The video opens in a new window which takes you to YouTube where accessibility controls may not be supported.

Watch a video explaining pre operative shoulder replacement exercises. The video opens in a new window which takes you to YouTube where accessibility controls may not be supported.

(used with thanks to our colleagues at South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre)

Please bring with you a list of any medication that you are taking and a mobile phone charger is always useful if you are bringing your phone with you. Tablets and Kindles are welcomed but all items will be at your own risk.

Many patients get to go home on the same day, but we will tell you at your pre-operative appointment if you will need to bring a small overnight bag.

Operation explanation videos

Watch a video explaining hip replacement surgery. The video opens in a new window which takes you to YouTube where accessibility controls may not be supported.

Watch a video explaining foot and ankle surgery. The video opens in a new window which takes you to YouTube where accessibility controls may not be supported.

Watch a video explaining knee surgery or replacements. The video opens in a new window which takes you to YouTube where accessibility controls may not be supported.

Watch a video explaining shoulder surgery. The video opens in a new window which takes you to YouTube where accessibility controls may not be supported.

What to expect when with us

We will let you know what time to arrive at the centre for your operation.

The whole procedure will take place in the Dame Clare Marx building.

One of our reception team will greet you on arrival and, once you are checked in, we will take you to our admissions unit to go through all the checks needed ahead of your surgery.

Our expert team of healthcare professionals will be with you throughout to help you with any questions or concerns you may have.

Once your surgery is complete you will be taken to the recovery suite where your rehabilitation will begin.

Many of our patients will go home on the same day. Our therapy teams will work with your nursing team to get your rehabilitation started to aid your recovery and make sure you can get home as soon as possible.

If you are with us for a day case procedure our recovery team will be on hand to help you get ready to go home as soon as you are able. If someone is picking you up, they will be able to drive up to the front of the centre where you were dropped off.

If you are with us as inpatient for a day or two, you will stay on one of our three wards, Mistley, Risby and Hadleigh in either of our two four-bedded bays with a shared bathroom or one of our sixteen single rooms with an en-suite bathroom.

Why not take a virtual look around the centre ahead of your surgery? You can watch this video to familiarise yourself with the centre before you come to us.

Welcome tour of Essex and Suffolk Elective Orthopaedic Centre. The video opens in a new window which takes you to YouTube where accessibility controls may not be supported.