Skip to content 
Getting ready for laparoscopic gynaecological surgery is easier—and safer—when you know exactly what to do beforehand. This step-by-step checklist is designed for patients in Kajang/Selangor and complements our overview of Laparoscopic Surgery and procedure pages such as Hysterectomy, Removal of Fibroids (Myomectomy), Removal of Ovarian Cysts and Endometriosis Surgery. You’ll find practical reminders on medicines (e.g., blood thinners and supplements), fasting instructions before anaesthesia, what to bring on surgery day, and how to plan your ride home and time off work.
For a plain-English primer on what keyhole surgery involves, the NHS guide to keyhole surgery is a helpful starting point, and the NHS pre-operative assessment page explains why hospital checks (blood tests, ECG, medication review) matter for safety. We’ll personalise these general principles to your case during your clinic visit.
If you’re preparing now, start by confirming your procedure details on the relevant page above, then book a consultation to review your medications, fasting times and recovery plan. For quick questions before surgery day, reach us via Contact.
Step-by-step patient checklist (Kajang/Selangor)
2–4 weeks before surgery: set the foundation
- Confirm your procedure and approach. Re-read the relevant page—Laparoscopic Surgery, Hysterectomy, Removal of Fibroids (Myomectomy), Removal of Ovarian Cysts, or Endometriosis Surgery—so you know what to expect on the day.
- Pre-operative assessment. Your hospital visit may include blood tests, ECG and a medication review. See the NHS pre-operative assessment overview for why these checks matter.
- Medicines & supplements list. Bring a complete list (including vitamins and herbal products). Some items (e.g., blood thinners, high-dose fish oil) may need a tailored plan—confirm this at your clinic review via Appointment.
- Stop smoking/vaping if applicable. Quitting even a few weeks before surgery improves healing and lung function; practical tips are on the NHS stop smoking page.
- Optimise health. Gentle daily walks, hydration and balanced meals support recovery. If you have diabetes, asthma, or sleep apnoea, ensure control plans are up to date and share them with us via Contact.
7–10 days before: fine-tune the details
- Medication adjustments. Confirm exactly what to continue and what to pause (e.g., certain blood thinners, some diabetes meds). We’ll personalise this during your pre-op call; general background on anaesthesia is on NHS general anaesthesia.
- Plan time off & support. Arrange leave from work based on your operation and route (laparoscopic vs open) and line up a trusted adult to accompany you home. Our Laparoscopic Surgery page outlines typical downtime.
- Home set-up for recovery. Prepare a resting spot, loose clothing, easy-to-digest foods, a small pillow for cough support, and sanitary pads (expect light vaginal bleeding after many gynae procedures).
3–5 days before: paperwork & prep
- Confirm admission time, fasting plan, and transport. If anything changes, message us via Contact.
- Infection-prevention hygiene. You may be advised to shower with an antiseptic wash the night before and morning of surgery; follow the hospital’s instructions.
- Bowel prep (if advised). Only follow this if your surgeon/anaesthetist specifically recommends it for your case (e.g., complex endometriosis). See our Endometriosis Surgery page for when prep is considered.
The day before surgery
- Fasting instructions. Typical guidance is no solid food for a set period before anaesthesia and clear fluids until a specified cut-off; your letter will give exact times. The NHS guide to keyhole surgery explains why fasting is essential for safety.
- Shave? Don’t. Avoid shaving the surgical area (it can increase infection risk). Hospital staff will manage hair removal if needed.
- Pack your bag. Photo ID, admission letter, medication list, inhalers/CPAP if used, glasses case, phone charger, slippers, and modest loose clothes for discharge.
Surgery day (hospital checks → theatre → recovery)
- Arrive on time and follow fasting rules strictly. Sip water only if allowed by your letter.
- Consent & marking. Your surgeon will review the plan, including alternatives and the small possibility of conversion to open surgery for safety. You can revisit details on Laparoscopic Surgery and your specific procedure page (e.g., Hysterectomy).
- Anaesthesia & safety checks. The team runs through allergies, airway/teeth status, and medications; background info is on NHS general anaesthesia.
- After surgery. Expect monitoring in recovery, gradual sips of water, and early gentle walking with help. Many laparoscopic cases are day-case or overnight stays (your surgeon will confirm).
Going home: first 72 hours
- Pain and anti-nausea plan. Take medications as prescribed; many patients manage with simple analgesia after laparoscopic procedures.
- Move early, but sensibly. Short, frequent walks help circulation and reduce clot risk; avoid heavy lifting until cleared.
- Wound care. Keep dressings dry as advised; a little spotting or bruising is common.
- Gas-related shoulder tip pain. This can occur after laparoscopy and usually settles in a few days; see the NHS keyhole-surgery page for what’s typical.
Red-flag symptoms: seek urgent help
Contact us via Contact or seek urgent care if you develop fever, worsening abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, heavy vaginal bleeding, shortness of breath, chest pain, or calf swelling. If unsure, use our Appointment page to arrange a prompt review.
Planning your return to routine
- Desk work: often 1–2 weeks after many laparoscopic procedures; heavier jobs may need longer.
- Exercise & intimacy: resume gradually when comfortable and after your surgeon’s clearance at follow-up (timelines vary by procedure). Check your specific page—Hysterectomy or Removal of Fibroids—for typical milestones and combine with general principles from the NHS hysterectomy guide.
- Follow-up. Keep your clinic appointment so we can review healing, histology (if applicable), and next steps.
Can I eat or drink before laparoscopic surgery?
You’ll receive personalised fasting times in your admission letter. As a general principle, patients avoid solid food for a set period and may take clear fluids until a specified cut-off for safety with anaesthesia (see the NHS pre-operative assessment and NHS guide to keyhole surgery). If anything is unclear, message us via Contact.
Which medicines or supplements should I stop?
This is individualised. Bring a full list (including herbal products and vitamins) to clinic; we’ll confirm what to pause (e.g., certain blood thinners) and what to continue. For background on anaesthesia and medicines, see NHS general anaesthesia. To review specifics for your operation, check Laparoscopic Surgery and book a final review via Appointment.
How can I lower my risk of complications?
Stop smoking/vaping, stay active with gentle walks, manage long-term conditions well, and follow fasting and shower instructions exactly. Practical quitting tips are on NHS Better Health: quit smoking. We’ll tailor advice to your procedure on Hysterectomy, Removal of Fibroids (Myomectomy), Removal of Ovarian Cysts and Endometriosis Surgery.
How much time off work should I plan?
For many laparoscopic procedures, desk work resumes in about 1–2 weeks, while more physical jobs need longer. Abdominal (open) operations typically need more downtime. Compare expectations on Laparoscopic Surgery and your specific procedure page, and review general timelines on the NHS hysterectomy page.
What should I pack for hospital?
Bring photo ID, admission letter, medication list, CPAP/inhalers (if used), glasses case, phone charger, slippers and loose clothes for discharge. Revisit our pre-op checklist in Laparoscopic Surgery, and the NHS pre-operative assessment overview for what hospitals check.
What’s normal after surgery—and what are red flags?
It’s common to have mild bloating, shoulder-tip discomfort (from gas), and light spotting after keyhole surgery (see NHS keyhole surgery). Seek urgent help for fever, worsening abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, heavy bleeding, shortness of breath, chest pain or calf swelling. If unsure, reach us via Contact or arrange a review on Appointment.
Ready for a personalised pre-op plan? Review your procedure guide—Hysterectomy, Removal of Fibroids (Myomectomy), Removal of Ovarian Cysts or Endometriosis Surgery—then book a consultation. We’ll confirm medication adjustments, fasting times, recovery milestones and your ride-home plan. For quick questions before surgery day, use Contact. For general context on hospital checks and fasting, see the NHS pre-operative assessment page.
Medical disclaimer: This content is for information only and does not replace professional medical advice. Your final plan will be confirmed by your surgical and anaesthesia teams.
