Hospital Stay / Day Surgery & Procedures

Introduction

Being admitted to hospital for surgery or procedures requires preparation. Careful planning will ensure a safe and speedy recovery with minimal disruptions to your diabetes control.

For people with diabetes there are important considerations and precautions you need to take when having surgery or a procedure requiring fasting, other preparations and general anaesthesia. Various factors can affect your blood glucose levels, such as stress, anxiety, inactivity and unpredictable eating patterns while in hospital. Well controlled diabetes will help to prevent complications from surgery such as infection, delayed healing and raised blood glucose levels.

Each person with diabetes will have unique needs. Here are a few tips to help you plan for your day surgery and to look after your diabetes during and after the procedure.

Make sure you tell everyone involved in the procedure, such as doctors, surgeons, anaesthetists and nurses, that you have diabetes and how it's treated. Also tell them about any other medical conditions you have and medications you are taking (including complementary therapies).

In this Section

• Planning for the procedure
• The day before and day of the procedure
• After the procedure is over / discharge from hospital

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