🔧 Men's Health
Preparing for Surgery in Nigeria
What to do before, during and after planned surgery
Being well prepared for surgery reduces complications, speeds recovery, and gives you and your family peace of mind. Many avoidable complications in Nigeria — including post-operative infections, anaesthesia complications, and blood shortages — can be prevented with proper preparation. This guide covers the practical steps Nigerian patients should take when facing planned (elective) surgery.
Signs and Symptoms
✓ This is a pre-operative preparation guide
✓ Applies to any planned (elective) surgery: hernia repair, gallbladder removal, fibroid surgery, prostate surgery, joint replacement, eye surgery, and more
✓ Emergency surgery follows a different, accelerated pathway — the key is getting to hospital quickly
When to Seek Help
Pre-assessment clinicVisit the hospital's pre-assessment clinic 1–2 weeks before surgery — blood tests, ECG, anaesthesia review, consent, and medication adjustment are completed then
Tell your doctor about all medicinesAt least 2 weeks before surgery — especially aspirin, warfarin, herbal remedies, and diabetes medications which need specific management
Organise blood donors nowArrange 1–3 willing blood donors of the same blood group (confirm with blood bank beforehand) before any major surgery in Nigeria
Tests & Diagnosis
🧪 Pre-operative blood tests
FBC (checks for anaemia), urea and electrolytes (kidney function), blood glucose (especially for diabetics), clotting studies if on anticoagulants, blood group and save/crossmatch
🧪 ECG
Required for patients over 40 or with cardiac risk factors — checks for rhythm problems that can complicate anaesthesia
🧪 Chest X-ray
Often required in Nigerian hospitals; identifies lung problems that may affect anaesthesia
🧪 Urine dipstick
Screens for undiagnosed diabetes, kidney problems, or urinary infection
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need to fast before surgery?
General anaesthesia relaxes all muscles including those protecting the airway. If you have food or drink in your stomach, it can be inhaled into your lungs (aspiration) causing severe pneumonia. This is life-threatening and entirely preventable by fasting.
Do I need to stop herbal medicines before surgery?
Yes — many Nigerian herbal preparations contain compounds that affect blood clotting, blood pressure, or interact with anaesthetic drugs. Disclose ALL herbal medicines to your surgeon and anaesthetist at least 2 weeks before surgery.
Why do Nigerian hospitals need blood donors before surgery?
Nigeria's blood supply is largely reliant on voluntary replacement donation rather than a national donor bank. Arranging donors in advance ensures blood is available if transfusion is needed during your surgery.
Can I take my blood pressure tablets on the morning of surgery?
Usually yes — take your regular blood pressure and heart medications with a small sip of water. Stopping them can cause dangerous blood pressure spikes during surgery. Confirm this with your anaesthetist at pre-assessment.
How soon can I eat and drink after surgery?
For laparoscopic procedures: clear fluids 2–4 hours post-op, light diet same evening. For open abdominal surgery: when bowel sounds return (usually 24–48 hours). Your surgeon will give specific instructions based on the procedure.