Before and after surgery

Older people undergo more surgery than ever. It can be helpful to consider beforehand, not only whether the operation is safe and technically feasible, but whether it is the right thing for you. There are often many aspects of health that can be optimised prior to surgery to improve the chances of success and support good recovery afterwards. 

A geriatrician's assessment before surgery can identify aspects that can be optimised such as anaemia, diabetes, heart failure, medications that increase the risk of confusion afterwards. We can discuss the risk of delirium, which is one of the commonest complications in older surgical patients and take steps to mitigate this occurring and consider the longer term implications if it does arise.

How Professor Henderson can help ​

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• Comprehensive assessment of your health, medications, memory, mobility and nutrition before surgery.

• Identifying and correcting things that increase risk, and advising which are worth addressing before the operation rather than after.

• Assessing your risk of delirium and confusion afterwards, and what can be done to reduce it.

• Reviewing every medication, including which should be stopped, continued or adjusted around the operation.

• Advice on preparation in the weeks beforehand, including activity, strength and nutrition, which measurably improves recovery.

• A realistic discussion of what recovery is likely to involve, and together with your surgeon and anaesthetist, whether surgery is the right choice for you. 

• A written summary you can take away to support your care before and after the planned operation.  ​

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