Outpatient surgery

In the following, you will be provided with information about your upcoming surgery, including specific instructions on what to do before and after the procedure.

Please note that the actual time of your surgery may vary depending on the preceding surgery of other patients. This means that delays can occur.

You should expect to be at the hospital for 4-6 hours.

Preparations prior to surgery

It is important that you adhere to the following instructions. Some preparations are crucial for minimizing the risk of complications and preventing cancellation of your surgery.

Fasting

Your surgery will be performed in general anaesthesia unless we have agreed otherwise with you. General anaesthesia requires that you fast on the day of surgery, and it is important that:

• You do not have any solid foods for 6 hours prior to the scheduled appointment on the day of surgery.
• Up to 2 hours prior to the scheduled appointment on the day of surgery, you must drink at least half a litre of water, lemonade, or juice without pulp. You are allowed to drink coffee and tea without milk or cream. Do not drink anything during the last 2 hours before your surgery.

Please take 2 tablets of paracetamol 500 mg (e.g. Panodil, Pinex or Pamol) 2 hours prior to the scheduled time of your surgery. Take 1 tablet of ibuprofen 400 mg (e.g. Ipren, Ibumetin), if you tolerate it.

Smoking

Smoking is not prohibited, but people who smoke have a far greater risk of complications than people who do not smoke. We recommend that you quit smoking for at least 8 weeks, but a shorter break will also be beneficial.

Contact us if you are feeling sick or have insect bites or wounds

In the last days prior to your surgery, it is important that you do not have fever, a sore throat, cystitis, or dental problems. Additionally, the skin in the surgical area must be free of pimples, spots, insect bites, and wounds. If not, we may have to postpone your surgery to avoid the risk of infection. In this case, you must call us a few days in advance at (+45) 79 40 57 43.

Shower in the morning

On the morning of surgery, please shower thoroughly with soap to reduce the risk of infection.

Remove makeup, jewelry, and piercings

You are not allowed to wear makeup, jewelry, or piercings. Nail polish must be removed.

Leave valuables at home

Please leave all valuables and large amount of cash at home.

Bring entertainment

Please bring reading material, music, or other forms of entertainment if necessary.

Medication

You must take your usual medication in the morning of surgery, unless you have been given different instructions during the preoperative examination.

The day of surgery

On the day of surgery, you will be received by a nurse from the ward. The nurse will prepare you for surgery, and the surgeon will ensure that all matters regarding the surgery are in order.

An anaesthesia nurse will insert a drop in your hand or arm. Sleep medicine is then added to the drop and a mask with pure oxygen is kept in front of your face. Slowly and comfortably, you fall asleep. You will wake up in the operating room when the surgery is over.

After surgery you will be taken to the recovery ward and held under observation by a nurse. You will be offered food and something to drink. Before you leave the hospital, the surgeon will inform you about the result of the surgery and the plan for your recovery.

You will also be informed about follow-up treatment if this is required.

Practical conditions

There are some practical matters you need to know after your surgery.

Sick leave

Any arrangements regarding sick leave must be made with your general practitioner.

Take pain medication as needed

Pain after surgery is common and very individual. Some patients experience a lot of pain while some do not. We recommend that you have nonprescription medications at home such as paracetamol and ibuprofen.

Observation at home

The first 24 hours after surgery, we recommend that you are accompanied by another adult.

Transportation

You will need to arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure, as you will not be able to drive immediately after surgery.

You are allowed to drive again once it is safe to do so. This means being able to demonstrate full control of the car.

Kontakt Ortopædkirurgisk Afdeling Beriderbakken 4 7100 Vejle Ortopædkirurgisk Dagafsnit + 45 79 40 57 43

pinfoSLB-1412858612-85 108884   |   05.06.2026