It depends on the type of blood test you’re having. The healthcare professional arranging your test will tell you if you need to do anything to prepare for it.

You can eat and drink as normal before some blood tests. But if you’re having a “fasting blood test”, you will be told not to eat or drink anything (other than water) beforehand. You may also be told not to smoke before your test.

Common fasting blood tests

Examples of blood tests that require you to fast include:

• a fasting blood glucose test (used to test for diabetes) – you fast for 8 to 10 hours before the test
• an iron blood test (used to diagnose conditions such as iron deficiency anaemia) – you fast for 12 hours before the test

Every operation is different, and whether or not you are allowed to eat or drink beforehand, and what you can have, will depend on the type of operation being carried out.

Before you have your operation, the health professionals treating you will tell you whether you can eat or drink and, if eating and drinking is permitted, what foods and liquids you can have.

Anaesthetic

Before having an operation, it’s likely that you’ll be given either a local or a general anaesthetic. A local anaesthetic numbs the area being treated, so that you don’t feel any pain. A general anaesthetic makes you unconscious so that you can’t feel anything, and you aren’t aware of what’s going on during the procedure.

Eating and drinking before a general anaesthetic

Usually, before having a general anaesthetic, you won’t be allowed anything to eat or drink. This is because when you’re under anaesthetic, your body’s reflexes are temporarily stopped.

If your stomach has food and drink in it, there’s a risk of vomiting, or regurgitation (bringing up food into your throat). If this happens, the regurgitated food could spill into your lungs and affect your breathing, as well as causing damage to your lungs.

The amount of time that you have to fast for (go without food or drink) before you have your operation will depend on the procedure that you are having. However, it is usually six to eight hours for food, and two hours for fluids.

The use of chewing gum, including nicotine gum, should be avoided during this fasting period.

You may be told to avoid certain types of fluids, such as milk, or white tea and coffee, as they have proteins and fats in them which could damage your lungs. Clear fluids, such as water, black tea or coffee, or processed fruit juices, are usually recommended.

Infants can be given breastmilk up to four hours before an operation. After that time only clear fluids should be given.

Medical conditions

If you have a medical condition, such as diabetes, that means you need to eat and drink regularly, you should tell one of the healthcare professionals treating you prior to having an operation. You should also let them know if you are taking any medication.

Local anaesthetic

If you are having a local anaesthetic, you should be allowed to eat and drink as normal before you have the procedure. An exception to this is maybe if you are having a procedure that involves your digestive system or bladder.

It depends on the hospital’s policy on the use of mobile phones.

You can probably use your mobile phone in some areas of the hospital to make calls or send text messages. However, if your phone has a camera, it’s unlikely you’ll be allowed to take photographs.

NHS guidance on use of mobile phones

The Information Governance Alliance (IGA) has produced a short guidance note for hospitals on the use of mobile phones in NHS hospitals (PDF, 200kb).

The guidance recognises that communication with family and friends is important when someone is in hospital.

In line with the principles of patient choice, the guidance says the use of mobile phones in NHS hospitals should be allowed, as long as their use does not affect:

• the safety of patients or other people
• patients’ privacy and dignity
• the operation of medical equipment

The guidance recommends NHS trusts have written policies covering the use of:

• mobile phones, including those with built-in cameras
• other cameras
• video recording equipment

You can ask to see a copy of your hospital’s policy.

Mobile phones and medical equipment

Interference from mobile phones can stop medical equipment from working properly. This includes:

• dialysis machines
• defibrillators
• ventilators
• monitors
• pumps

Loud ringtones and alarms on mobile phones can also be confused with alarms on medical equipment.

Look for signs at the hospital

The IGA guidance recommends hospitals display signs to show where mobile phones can be used.

Depending on your hospital’s policy, areas where mobile phone use is allowed could include:

• the hospital entrance or reception
• communal areas such as cafés and lift lobbies
• day rooms
• non-clinical areas on wards where direct medical care is not given

Hospital signs will also say where you cannot use your phone.

Areas where using mobile phones could be forbidden or restricted include:

• critical or intensive care wards and units
• special care baby units and neonatal units
• any area where specialist medical equipment is being used to treat a patient

If you’re not allowed to use your phone, make sure you switch it off. Do not just leave it on the silent or vibrate setting – it can still affect medical equipment.

Using your mobile phone

If you need to make a call or send a text, make sure you go to an area where you can use your phone. If you’re not sure, ask a member of staff. You may be asked to keep your phone on silent or vibrate.

Some maternity units may permit photos to be taken with a mobile phone – for example, parents with their newborn baby – as long as no staff or other patients are in the photo.

It’s unlikely you’ll be allowed to charge your mobile phone while in hospital.

Infection control

Studies have found high bacterial contamination, including MRSA, on mobile phones. To minimise the risk to patients, people who use their phone are advised to wash their hands before they come into direct contact with the patient.

Most people don’t need to follow a special diet after having surgery to remove their gallbladder, as the gallbladder isn’t essential for digestion.

You can usually start eating normally a few hours after your operation, although you’ll probably prefer to eat small meals to start with.

You may have been advised to follow a low-fat diet for several weeks before surgery, but this doesn’t need to be continued afterwards.

Instead, you should aim to have a generally healthy, balanced diet, including some fats.

If you experience side effects from surgery, including indigestion, bloating, flatulence or diarrhoea, it may help to make some small adjustments to your diet.

For example:

• avoid drinks containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea
• avoid foods that make the problems worse, such as spicy or fatty foods
• gradually increase your intake of fibre – good sources of fibre include fresh fruit and vegetables, wholegrain rice, wholewheat pasta and bread, seeds, nuts and oats

Your GP can also recommend medication if you have diarrhoea.

Side effects of gallbladder surgery usually only last a few weeks, although diarrhoea can be a more persistent problem for a small number of people.

If you have had other organs removed as well as your gallbladder, such as your pancreas, you may have problems digesting food.

ou can find out your blood group by giving blood.

To find out someone’s blood group, a sample of their blood has to be taken and tested. However, GPs do not routinely check people’s blood groups.

When is someone’s blood group checked?

Healthcare professionals sometimes need to know a person’s blood group for medical reasons.

If you need a blood transfusion, the blood group you receive must be compatible with your own blood group.

Your blood type will therefore be tested before you receive a blood transfusion to make sure the two are compatible.

Giving someone blood from the wrong group can potentially be life threatening.

If you’re pregnant, your blood will be tested to see if it’s rhesus negative or positive. Read more information about rhesus disease.

Healthcare professionals will also check a person’s blood group before they:

• give blood
• have an operation (surgery)
• donate an organ for transplant

Give blood and find out your blood group

Your blood group will be checked if you donate blood through NHS Blood and Transplant, and it will be recorded on your official donor card.

This is so your blood can be matched to someone with the same blood group or one that is compatible.

Your surgeon, or another healthcare professional responsible for your care, will advise you on how long you should wear compression stockings for after your operation and how to use them correctly.

When compression stockings are recommended after surgery, they should usually be worn as much as possible, day and night, until you’re able to move around freely.

Compression stockings are used after surgery to prevent blood clots developing in the leg, which is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

They’re often recommended if it’s likely you’ll be unable to move around much after surgery, either due to the after-effects of surgery or having another medical condition that affects your mobility.

Who needs compression stockings after surgery?

When you’re admitted to hospital, your risk of DVT will be assessed to decide whether you need compression stockings.

You may need to wear stockings even if you’re able to leave hospital on the same day as your operation.

Your risk of developing DVT may be increased if:

• you’re having surgery on your hip, knee, legs or abdomen
• you need to have a general anaesthetic for more than 90 minutes
• you’re expected to be a lot less mobile after surgery (if you have to stay in bed for some time, you can’t walk without help, or spend most of the day in a chair)

Reducing your risk of DVT

Wearing compression stockings is one way of reducing your risk of developing DVT.

Your risk can also be reduced by making sure you drink enough fluids (check with your surgeon how much you should be drinking) and moving around as soon as possible after your operation.

In some cases, anticoagulant medication may be prescribed to prevent blood clots.

It depends on the type of surgery you have had, but you shouldn’t go swimming until:

• your surgeon, GP or physiotherapist has confirmed it’s safe for you to do so
• your wound has healed (it shouldn’t be submerged under water before it’s healed) – ask your surgeon how long your wound will take to heal
• your wound doesn’t cause pain

Generally, after your stitches have been removed or have dissolved and your wound has fully healed, you should be able to swim in the sea or a swimming pool. Once a wound has healed, the risk of infection decreases.

Stitches can usually be removed within 7 to 10 days of surgery, although it depends on the type of wound. Absorbable stitches can take longer to dissolve.

You should avoid swimming for longer if you have another condition that increases your risk of infection or delays healing.

You shouldn’t swim if you have open wounds. You also shouldn’t swim if you’re wearing a plaster cast or you have an external fixation device – a metal frame that holds your bones in position – until your surgeon advises that it’s safe to do so.

Swimming after different types of surgery

Depending on the type of surgery, you may need to avoid swimming for some time, even after your wound has healed.

Below are some examples, but you should always check with the healthcare professionals treating you before going swimming:

• cornea transplant – avoid swimming for at least 1 month and until you’re advised that it’s safe; wear goggles to protect your eye from an impact injury and don’t dive in
• hip replacement – you should feel back to normal after 8 to 12 weeks, when you can return to your usual activities, such as swimming, but some surgeons advise against breaststroke
• heart bypass surgery – you can swim after 3 months
• cataract surgery – you should avoid swimming for 4 to 6 weeks
• appendectomy (after having appendicitis) – you can swim after your stitches have been removed, the wound has healed and you have made a full recovery (usually at least 2 weeks)

It’s usually better to have a shower after an operation because you can control the flow of water and, if necessary, prevent your wound getting wet.

Avoid having a bath as your wound shouldn’t be soaked in water until it has healed. Soaking the wound could cause the scar tissue to soften and reopen the wound.

Guidelines published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) say you can have a shower 48 hours after surgery. However, you should check with your surgeon as it may depend on the type of surgery you’ve had and how your wound has been closed.

You’ll be given advice about caring for your wound before you’re discharged from hospital.

Dressings

Some dressings are waterproof and can withstand a small amount of water – for example, the spray from a shower. However, don’t submerge your dressing underwater. If you’re not sure whether your dressing is waterproof, avoid getting it wet altogether.

Depending on where your dressing is, you could cover the area to stop it getting wet in the bath or shower. For example, after having hand surgery, you may be able to wear a large rubber glove or cover your hand with a plastic bag.

You can also buy waterproof covers to protect a dressing or plaster cast on your arm or leg so you can shower without getting your wound wet. Ask one of the healthcare professionals treating you if you would like more information.

Stitches (sutures) or clips

Avoid getting stitches or clips wet. If you can cover the stitches so they don’t get wet, you may be able to have a shower.

Plaster casts

You should not get your plaster cast wet. You may be able to hold your arm or leg out of the shower or wash around your cast.

After your stitches, clips and dressings have been removed

You should be able to wash normally after your stitches, dressings and clips have been removed. However, it’s usually better to have a shower until the wound has healed to avoid soaking it completely. Afterwards, pat your wound and the surrounding area dry.

You may not need to stop taking antiplatelet medicines such as aspirin before minor surgery.

Speak to your GP or another healthcare professional who can advise you about what’s best for you.

What are antiplatelet medicines?

Antiplatelet medicines are prescribed to help prevent heart attacksand strokes.

Examples of antiplatelet medicines include:

• clopidogrel
• dipyridamole
• low dose aspirin

Some people take low dose aspirin without checking with their GP, hoping to reduce their risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

What do these medicines do?

Antiplatelet medicines reduce the risk of clots forming in your blood. Platelets are tiny particles in your blood that help it to clot.

Antiplatelet medicines work by reducing the “stickiness” of these platelets.

Minor surgery

If you need a minor operation, you may be worried about taking medicine that affects how your blood clots.

Examples of minor surgery include:

• removing cataracts
• having a tooth taken out
• operations on or near the surface of your skin, including biopsies (taking a small sample of tissue)

Operations like these don’t usually cause much bleeding, so for this reason you may be able to keep taking your antiplatelet medicines.

Risks of stopping your medicine

If you stop taking your antiplatelet medicine, you increase your risk of blood clots and having a heart attack.

This risk is higher than the risk of major bleeding during or after a minor operation.

Although continuing to take your medicine may slightly increase the risk of minor bleeding during or after surgery, your healthcare professional will be aware of this and take steps to control any bleeding.

You may think that stopping your antiplatelet medicine for a short time carries a low risk, but remember that it’s been prescribed to help you with a long-term condition.

Stopping your medicine, even for a short period of time, could be harmful.

Talk to your healthcare professional

Before your operation, your healthcare professional will ask you about any prescribed medicines you’re taking.

You should also tell them if you’re taking any over-the-counter medicines, such as low dose aspirin.

Only stop taking your antiplatelet medicine if your healthcare professional tells you to do so.

The stage of a cancer describes the size of a tumour and how far it has spread from where it originated. The grade describes the appearance of the cancerous cells.

If you’re diagnosed with cancer, you may have more tests to help determine how far it has progressed. Staging and grading the cancer will allow the doctors to determine its size, whether it has spread and the best treatment options.

Cancer stages

Different types of staging systems are used for different types of cancer. Below is an example of one common method of staging:

• stage 0 – indicates that the cancer is where it started (in situ) and hasn’t spread
• stage I – the cancer is small and hasn’t spread anywhere else
• stage II – the cancer has grown, but hasn’t spread
• stage III – the cancer is larger and may have spread to the surrounding tissues and/or the lymph nodes (part of the lymphatic system)
• stage IV – the cancer has spread from where it started to at least one other body organ; also known as “secondary” or “metastatic” cancer

Cancer grades

The grade of a cancer depends on what the cells look like under a microscope.

In general, a lower grade indicates a slower-growing cancer and a higher grade indicates a faster-growing one. The grading system that’s usually used is as follows:

• grade I – cancer cells that resemble normal cells and aren’t growing rapidly
• grade II – cancer cells that don’t look like normal cells and are growing faster than normal cells
• grade III – cancer cells that look abnormal and may grow or spread more aggressively