Pre-Operation Checklist & Timeline

Your Body 

8 weeks pre-op

Exercise 30min per day starting 8 weeks pre-op.

• The concept of Prehab not just Rehab is useful.
• Get up a sweat.
• Use an exercise bike, a lap-pool or a rowing machine.
• Hydro/Aqua classes are a great way to get fit whilst not making your knee angry.
• Train the muscles in your arms and legs to be stronger.
  • Remember you will have to use crutches and strong arms/shoulders helps a lot.
• See a physio, personal trainer or gym near you for prehab if you need guidance.

Your Immune System

7 weeks pre-op

A healthy immune system fights off infection so build yours by:

• Eating well focusing on lots of vegetables, fresh-fruits and lean proteins.
• Avoiding fast-food, take-aways and avoid heavily-processed meals.
• Keep your diabetes tightly controlled with your HbA1C < 7.
• Get 8 hours of sleep at night.
• Stopping all alcohol.
• Stopping all nicotine products.
  • This makes your chance of pneumonia and lung clots (PE) much lower.
  • Your wound healing is far better when you don’t smoke.

Your Legal Affairs

6 weeks pre-op

Now is a good time to organise:

• Your Will & Power of Attorney.
• Your Advanced Health Directive.
• Your important paperwork like life-insurance policies.
• It’s not superstitious or pessimistic – just clever to be organised.

Your House

5 weeks pre-op

• Look after man’s/woman’s best friend.
  • Book your dog & cat into your local kennel/cattery.
• Avoid falling over at home post-op.
  • Move mats, rugs and power-cords to avoid tripping.
  • Purchase night lights to leave-on at night to light the way to your toilet.
• Fit handrails.
  • Handrails from Bunnings should be fitted to bathrooms and stairways if needed.
• Prepare meals you like and label/date/freeze for use post-surgery.
• Prepare to sleep in a downstairs bedroom if possible.
• Sign-up for grocery online deliveries.
  • Save your order online & submit when you know what day you will be discharged.
• Arrange a hand around the house with a gardener to mow lawns, sweep paths etc.

Your Support Person

4 weeks pre-op

• Have a close friend or family member nominated as your SP and ready to help.
• They can be on standby and in this way avoid being out-of-town when you need them most.
• They can help with driving to and from the hospital and driving to appointments at CKC.
• They should stay with you for a few days while you settle-in at home.
• They can help with shopping, collecting prescriptions and running errands & chores.
• They can be your second set of ears at appointments.

Your Apple Watch Assisted App

3 weeks pre-op

• Check-in with CKC to complete your app enrolment.
• Sign the study enrolment consent at CKC.
• CKC will call you when your Apple Watch is ready for collection at CKC.

Your Medications

2 weeks pre-op

• Staying accidentally on your blood thinners can cause delays in your surgery.
• Please stop any blood thinners as directed by Dr Klar.
• If you are not sure please call CKC to check.

Your Skin

10 days pre-op

• Moisturise the skin on your legs daily for two weeks pre-op.
• Wear long trousers to prevent scratches, abrasions and grazes.
• Remember that damaged skin can cause surgery cancellation.
• Healthy skin lowers the chance of infection.
• Stay out of the garden/workshop/garage as scratches commonly occur here.

Your Aids

7 days pre-op

Hire the following from your local chemist, ACT Health loans service or Mobility Matters:

• Canadian crutches.
• Elevated over-toilet seat.
• Shower chair.
• High-back day chair with adjustable height legs.
• Long shoe-horn.
• Pick-up grasper/reacher.
• Delivery is available.

Your Transport

5 days pre-op

• Remember you can’t drive for a while.
• Consider taxi coupons.
• Ask family/friends/support person to be available as drivers.
• Get familiar with Uber on your phone… it’s reliable & easy-to-use

Your Paperwork

4 days pre-op

• Call the hospital and check they have all the necessary paperwork.

Your Apple Watch Assisted App

3 days pre-op

• Check you have the app downloaded on your phone.
• Run through how to use the app.

Your Bags

2 days pre-op

• Pack loose-fitting clothes and slip-on shoes.
• Pack shower essentials like toothbrush, combs/brushes, deodorant and shaving equipment etc.
• Bring an iPad, books, chargers & Wi-Fi tools as hospital Wi-Fi can be slow.

Your Admission

1 day pre-op

• It’s time to check with the hospital when you should fast from and when to arrive for admission.
• Call 6222 6666 at the time requested the day before your surgery to check these times.
• Body pre-op wash.
  • Remember to wash your whole body from head-to-toe including all the nooks and crannies with the 3M.
  • Do this the night before your op and 2hrs before your surgical time.