Preparing for surgery – Fitter Better Sooner

Having an operation is a major event in someone’s life and it’s normal for them to feel anxious about it.

Fitter patients who are able to improve their health and activity levels recover from surgery more quickly and with fewer complications. What you do in the time leading up to surgery can have a really big impact on your recovery and long term health.

Our Fitter Better Sooner resources will provide you with the information you need to become fitter and better prepared for your operation. 

Use the links below to read the leaflets and view the animation.

If you are feeling anxious about having an operation or have needle phobia, you can find information here. 

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Taking an active role in planning and preparing for your operation will help you feel in control, leave hospital sooner and get back to normal more quickly.

Read our Fitter Better Sooner leaflet

Download the Fitter Better Sooner animation 2022 via Vimeo

Click here

Fitter Better Sooner – general information
Fitter patients who are able to improve their health and activity levels, recover from surgery more quickly. This information will give you general advice on what you can do to get the best outcome from your surgery.

Preparing your mind before surgery
Find out about some techniques which you can use that might help you to relax and manage your anxiety before and after your surgery.

Please click on the links below to read the procedure specific leaflets in the Fitter Better Sooner series

Preparing for cataract surgery

A cataract forms when the natural lens in your eye becomes cloudy. Modern surgery allows the damaged lens to be removed and replaced with an artificial lens.

Preparing for a cystoscopy
A cystoscopy is a procedure in which a thin telescope (called a cystoscope) is used to look inside your bladder. This is inserted through the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.

Preparing for a hernia repair
A hernia is a lump that forms when fatty tissue or part of your intestine (gut) pushes through a weakness in the muscle wall of your abdomen or top of your thigh.

Preparing for a hysteroscopy
A hysteroscopy is an operation to look at the inside of your womb (uterus). A narrow telescope (called a hysteroscope) lets your surgeon look at the inside of your womb.

Preparing for a knee arthroscopy
A knee arthroscopy is a type of keyhole surgery. Your surgeon will put a narrow telescope through a small cut in your skin to look inside your knee joint.

Preparing for a knee replacement operation
A knee replacement is an operation in which your knee joint is replaced with an artificial joint. Most people stay in hospital for three to five days after knee replacement surgery.
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Fitter Better Sooner was Highly Commended and shortlisted in the Self-care category at the BMA Patient Information Awards 2019.