Please see this information on the UK Cell Salvage Advisory Group webpage: Patient resources - UK Cell Salvage Advisory Group - Transfusion practice - JPAC
Date published: 5 June 2026 Review due: 31 January 2029 PI number: BFT003048
The following video will show you how to use P 6 acupressure to prevent or treat post-operative nausea and vomiting. It has been proven, by statistically summarising the results of 40 trials including 4858 patients, that this technique is as good in preventing or treating post-operative nausea and vomiting as taking an anti sickness medication. That does not mean that it will work for every patient, but it is worth trying first before you use some anti-sickness medication.
The Enhanced Recovery Nurses will discuss your estimated discharge date with you.
We want you to be active in your healthcare. By telling us what is important to you and asking questions you can help with this. The three questions below may be useful:
This information aims to increase your level of understanding of how you can play an active part in your recovery after your surgery. If there is anything that you are unsure about, please ask. It is important that you understand how you can help yourself recover, so that you, your family and friends can be involved.
This is the programme offered by North Bristol NHS Trust for patients undergoing planned bowel surgery. There may be circumstances where the programme will not be appropriate for some patients and if this is the case, you will be fully informed.
The aim of the Enhanced Recovery Programme is to get you back to full health as quickly as possible after your operation.
Research indicates that after surgery, the earlier we get you out of bed, exercising, eating and drinking, your recovery will be quicker and it will be less likely that complications will develop.
In order to achieve this we need you to be partners with us so that we can work together to speed up your recovery.
Before you come into hospital the consultant will see you in the outpatients department to explain your operation.
Following this you will be sent a date to attend the pre-operative assessment clinic, where trained staff will carry out routine tests that are required to ensure you are fit and safely prepared for surgery. Please note all patients are routinely screened for potential infections at this time.
The specialist enhanced recovery nurse will see you when you attend the pre operative assessment clinic and will explain the programme to you and your family. You will be provided with written information and given plenty of opportunity to ask questions.
You may be referred to the anaesthetist, colorectal nurse specialist and stoma nurse specialist as necessary.
The nurse will discuss your arrangements at home so that together we can plan for any help you may need after your operation. The nurse will also discuss diet and exercise with you and if necessary you will be referred to the dietitian. (For example if you have lost a lot of weight or your appetite is poor). If you have concerns about your appetite or diet before coming in for your operation please speak to the nurses at your pre-assessment visit. What you eat is important, as good nutrition now will help you recover faster from your operation.
You will be given the opportunity to sample special nourishing supplement drinks: these are called ‘fortijuce’ and ‘fortisip’. You will be given some of the drinks to take home with you even if your weight and appetite are normal. You can choose from a variety of flavours.
It is important to keep as active as you can before your operation and if you are a smoker you should stop now. This helps reduce breathing problems after surgery. You can see your GP or pharmacist for advice on products to help you stop smoking.
Please bring a supply of your own medications into hospital with you. These will be stored safely on the ward and will be returned to you on discharge.
Please also bring a supply of comfortable ‘day clothes’ as you will be encouraged to return to normality as quickly as possible after your operation, and this includes getting dressed.
Prior to your surgery you will be able to eat and drink as normal unless you are required to take medication to clear the contents of your bowel. If this applies to you it will be discussed with you at pre operative assessment.
In preparation for your operation and in addition to your normal diet, you should aim to take three of the “Fortisip/Fortijuce” supplement drinks per day, for each of the 2 days before admission. Each drink can be sipped over a few hours.
When you are admitted to the ward after your operation, the supplement drinks will continue to be available to you, and you will need to continue with three per day.
The supplement drinks are important to help with wound healing, to reduce the risk of infection and aid with your overall recovery. It is important that you also continue to have a variety of other non-fizzy drinks during your hospital stay.
As well as the supplement drinks mentioned, you will also be required to take special carbohydrate drinks called ‘Pre Op’. You will require two drinks the night before and two drinks on the morning of your operation.
You may continue to eat for up to six hours before your operation and drink clear fluids for up to three hours before.
A few hours after your operation you may start to drink and eat if you wish. It is important that you eat and drink early after your surgery. Staff will help and advise you. Initially some patients may find a low fibre diet more tolerable. You will be encouraged to help yourself to the supplement drinks from the fridge. You will be expected to recommence the supplement drinks to help build up your strength following surgery.
Recent studies show that chewing gum after an operation can be helpful towards improving your recovery by assisting the bowel to return to its normal function. On the day you come into hospital bring some chewing gum with you. After your operation chew gum for 15 minutes, three times a day, until your bowel function returns to normal.
Before your operation you may need 1-2 enema(s) to empty your bowel contents. Some patients may be required to take medication the day before in order to achieve this. This will be fully explained if this applies to you.
In order to help prevent blood clots you will be required to wear special support stockings (TEDS). The nurse will need to measure your legs to obtain the correct size.
There is also evidence to suggest that keeping warm, before surgery, helps prevent infection. Please ensure you bring a warm dressing gown, socks, slippers, blankets or similar item of clothing to wear immediately before your operation. (You will be asked to remove the warm clothing when it is time for your operation as you will be required to wear a hospital gown.
Following your operation when you wake up, it is important that you do deep breathing exercises (as prevention against chest infection). You will need to do 5 deep breathing exercises every hour. To do these you will need to:
You should cough regularly to make sure your lungs are clear of secretions. To do this, place a towel or pillow over your abdomen and wound. Support it with your hands and cough.
When you are sitting in the chair or lying in bed, you should also do frequent leg exercises, (as prevention against blood clots); pointing your feet up and down and moving your ankles as if making circles can achieve this.
Depending on what time you come back to the ward, the staff will help you out of bed about six hours after your operation. You may sit out of bed for up to two hours on the day of surgery and then up to six-eight hours out of bed on each subsequent day after surgery if you can manage this.
You will be encouraged to walk at least 60 metres 4 – 6 times per day after your surgery if you can manage this.
By being out of bed in a more upright position and by walking regularly, lung function is improved and there is less chance of a chest infection after surgery. Circulation is also improved, reducing the risk of blood clots and helping bowel function return to normal.
You will also be given a small injection called ‘clexane’ at approximately 6pm each day you are in hospital. This helps reduce the risk of blood clots by thinning the blood. Some patients who are at higher risk of experiencing blood clots may have to continue with the injection once home. This would only be for a few weeks after surgery and will be fully discussed with you when you are in hospital.
Most patients are able to administer the injection themselves or with the help of a relative or carer. The nurses on the ward will show you how to use the injection during your hospital stay. If you have any problems with administering the injection an appointment can be made with your practice nurse to carry this out each day, or we will arrange for a District Nurse to visit you if you are unable to leave the house.
Try wearing your day clothes as soon as you feel able after your operation as this can help you feel positive about your recovery.
It is important that your pain is controlled so that you can walk about, breathe deeply, eat and drink, feel relaxed and sleep well. Please let us know if your pain is not manageable so that we can help you.
It is also important for us to know if you are either allergic or sensitive to certain pain killers.
You may be given one of, or a combination of the following methods of pain relief, to keep you comfortable after surgery:
The anaesthetist may discuss these options with you and explain more about it when you are in hospital.
Alongside this, the doctors will prescribe other types of pain relieving medicines, which work in different ways. You will be given these regularly (three or four times per day) and you should feel more comfortable.
If the pain worsens at any time, please tell the nursing staff immediately and they will be able to help you.
Sometimes after an operation it is not uncommon to feel nauseated and occassionally vomit. You will be given medication during surgery to reduce this, but if you feel sick following surgery please tell a member of staff who will be able to help.
During your operation a tube (catheter) will be placed into your bladder so that we can check that your kidneys are working well and your urine output can be measured. This tube will be removed as soon as possible.
You will have an intravenous drip put into your arm to ensure you do not become dehydrated. The drip will normally be removed the day after surgery, but you may still have the intravenous port (venflon) in place for a couple of days in case we have to give other drugs through it. You may also be required to breathe extra oxygen for a short while after your operation.
Many different things will be monitored during your treatment including:
You may be asked to tell us about what you eat and drink and what you pass so that we can record it.
While you are in hospital you will be asked to participate in maintaining a daily diary/log (provided by the ward) so that you can keep a record of how well you are managing. This will help us monitor your progress.
Please remember playing an active part in your recovery will help you get better sooner. If you have any questions regarding your recovery, please do not be afraid to ask a member of staff.
You will be seen, during your hospital stay, by the Enhanced Recovery Nurses (Monday – Friday) who will support you and advise you on your journey through the Enhanced Recovery Programme.
For further information on the Enhanced Recovery Programme:
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health-and-social-care
© North Bristol NHS Trust. This edition published January 2024. Review due January 2027. NBT002214
As you prepare to leave hospital you may need to get certain things organised. To help you with your planning, make sure you get the answers to these three questions:
For further information please speak to the staff looking after you.
The Enhanced Recovery Nurses will discuss your discharge date with you.
Complications should not happen very often, but it is important that you know what to look out for.
During the first two weeks after surgery, if you are worried about any of the following, please phone the telephone numbers at the bottom of this page. You should be able to reach a member of staff on the ward at anytime. If you cannot contact the people listed, you will need to contact your GP or the NHS 111 service.
It is not unusual to suffer gripping pains (colic) during the first week following removal of a portion of bowel. The pain usually lasts for a few minutes and will go away completely in between spasms.
Severe pain that lasts for several hours may indicate a leakage of fluid from the area where the bowel has been joined together. This can be a serious complication, which fortunately, happens only rarely. Should this occur, it may be accompanied by a fever. On occasion leakage may occur which makes you feel generally unwell, causes a fever but is without pain.
If you have severe abdominal pain lasting more than 1-2 hours and/or have a fever and feel generally unwell, you should contact us on the telephone numbers provided immediately.
Occasionally after surgery you can experience some nausea which is not unusual. Persistent nausea and vomiting however is not to be expected as this could be a sign of obstruction. If this happens to you it could be a sign of obstruction which needs to be treated.
If you experience severe nausea and vomiting please contact us immediately on the telephone numbers provided.
The ward nurses will check your wound dressing before discharging you home.
If you have had key hole surgery you might have paper stitches (steristrips) which may be left directly on the wounds. You can continue to bathe or shower and you can pull these off after 7 days during a soak in the bath. You shouldn’t need further dressings after this.
For other wounds it is possible that either dissolvable stitches or a special adhesive will be used and again you may continue to take light showers or baths. If you require a dressing for a longer period of time then the nursing staff will advise you.
It is not unusual for your wounds to be slightly red and tender during the first 1-2 weeks. You may also notice bruising.
Please let us know if your wound:
As this may indicate an infection. You may also wish to contact your GP or practice nurse at your surgery for advice.
In the early stages following surgery to remove part of your bowel, your bowel habit may change and may either become loose or constipated. This can continue for up to 2-3 weeks.
Try to eat regular meals three or more times per day, drink adequate amounts, and take regular walks during the first two weeks after your operation. This will help improve bowel function.
Please note that if you have an ileostomy it is normal to pass loose stools more frequently than 3 times per day into the Stoma bag. The stoma nurse specialists will discuss this with you.
Please seek advice from the Enhanced Recovery Nurses, your GP or by contacting one of the telephone numbers at the bottom of this page if you are experiencing any of the following:
Sometimes after bowel surgery you may experience the feeling of a full bladder.
This usually resolves, however if you experience ANY of the following problems please ring for advice:
A balanced, varied diet is recommended and particularly eating 3 or more times a day. You may find that some foods upset you and cause loose bowel motions. If that is the case you should avoid those foods for the first few weeks following your surgery. You may find a low residue diet will help in the first two weeks after your operation.
If you are finding it difficult to eat it is still important to obtain an adequate amount of protein and calories to help your body heal. You may benefit from having three to four high protein, high calorie drinks such as Build-up or Complan (available in supermarkets and chemists) to supplement your food, or continue with the Fortisip or Fortijuce drinks which can be prescribed by your GP.
It is important to drink plenty of water. If you are suffering from diarrhoea then it is important to replace the fluid loss and to drink extra fluid.
If you are losing weight without trying or are struggling to eat enough you may benefit from a consultation with the dietitian, please contact any of the numbers provided below and someone will be able to help you, or ask your GP or consultant to refer you.
Try to include high calorie and high protein foods at each mealtime.
Fatty and sugary foods such as:
Try these snack ideas which are high in energy or protein:
Milky drinks are high in energy and protein. Choose from the following:
If you dislike milk, try these high energy alternatives:
The following suggestions may help to add extra energy and protein to everyday foods if you have lost weight or are not eating much:
We encourage activity from day one following surgery. You should plan to undertake regular exercise several times a day and gradually increase during the 4 weeks following your operation until you are back to your normal level of activity.
The main restriction we would place on exercise is that you do not undertake heavy lifting 4 - 6 weeks following your surgery. In addition, if you are planning to restart a routine exercise such as jogging or swimming that you wait until 2 weeks after surgery and start gradually.
Common sense will guide your exercise and rehabilitation; in general if the wound is still uncomfortable modify your exercise. Once the wounds are pain free you can undertake most activities.
Many people are able to return to work within 2 - 4 weeks following their surgery. If it involves a heavy manual job then we would not advise heavy work until 6 weeks following surgery.
It is advised that you do not drive until you are confident that you can drive safely. Usually this is when you are doing most of your normal activities. In general this will be after 4 weeks of surgery. It is important that any pain has resolved sufficiently to enable you to perform an emergency stop. You should contact your insurance company to check their terms or you may not be fully insured.
In general it is advised that you take up your hobbies and activities as soon as possible again after surgery. It enables you to maintain your activity and will benefit your convalescence.
We would not advise restricting these unless they cause significant pain or involve heavy lifting within the first 6 weeks following surgery.
Feeling tired and weak after an operation or illness naturally affects your sex drive. As you gradually start to feel well again and your energy levels return to normal so should your sex drive. It is important for you and your partner to discuss your feelings openly.
Sexual intercourse can be resumed as soon as you feel comfortable, generally about two to four weeks after surgery. Occasionally, following surgery or radiotherapy to the rectum or lower colon, nerve and blood vessel damage can occur. In men this may cause ejaculatory problems or result in difficulty and/or maintaining an erection. In women, discomfort or vaginal dryness may occur.
These problems are usually temporary, due to inflammation and swelling after surgery, but in some instances may be permanent. If you do experience problems of this nature, please discuss it with your surgeon or colorectal nurse specialist, as specialist help is available.
You may continue with your normal medicines unless directed to stop by your doctor. You will be given a new supply of these if you do not have enough at home. You will also be given pain killers and any other medicines required, to take home.
It is a good idea to have a supply of non-prescription pain killers, such as Paracetamol, at home as a back up.
If you are required to continue with the ‘Clexane’ injections at home, you will be given enough pre-filled syringes to complete the course (usually for four weeks after your operation) and a ‘sharps bin’ to put the used syringes into. Your GP or local chemist will be able to advise you on how to dispose of the bin in your area.
If you are under the care of one of the colorectal nurse specialists, your follow up appointment will be arranged by them. They will discuss this with you as soon as the biopsy results are available. This will usually be approximately two weeks after discharge home. Otherwise an appointment will be sent through the post as directed by the consultant.
Follow up appointments allows the team to see how you are and talk through any further treatment. Please do not hesitate to contact any of us on the numbers provided below if you need any help or advice following surgery.
If your surgery was planned (not an emergency) the enhanced recovery nurse will phone you at home each day for approximately four to five days to check on your progress. In between times, if you have any concerns, you can contact them on the number provided, or out of hours contact the ward.
If you experience any of the following please seek urgent advice by contacting us on the numbers below.
www.nhs.uk/conditions/enhanced-recovery
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health-and-social-care
Telephone: 0117 414 3610
Telephone: 0117 414 3611
Telephone: 0117 414 0514
Telephone: 0117 414 0270
Gate 32B Brunel building
Southmead Hospital
Bristol
BS10 5NB
Telephone: 0117 414 3233
Telephone: 0117 414 3234
GMC Number: 7215355
Year & location of first qualification:
2010, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
Specialty: Neuroradiology
Clinical interests:
Diagnostic Neuroradiology, Vascular and Skull Base pathology, Inflammatory and Autoimmune diseases
Secretary: Caroline Hawkins
Telephone number: 0117 414 9009
Dr Alves Rosa undertook core medical training in the West Midlands prior to radiology training in the Severn Deanery.
He completed a nationally competitive diagnostic and interventional neuroradiology fellowship at the tertiary neurosciences centre of North Bristol NHS Trust.
His qualifications include MRCP Lon (2014), FRCR (2018), and the European Diploma in Neuroradiology (2022). He also completed all modules of the European Course in Minimally Invasive Neurological Therapy in 2020.
Dr Alves Rosa has presented research at a national and international level and published in peer reviewed journals.
He is a fellow of the Royal College of Radiologists and an advisory editor for Clinical Radiology.
Email address: joao.alvesrosa@nbt.nhs.uk
Your involvement helps to ensure that our focus remains on what is most important – the people we look after. We believe that people with personal experience of healthcare are best placed to comment on what research is needed and how research should be done.
You don't need any research experience to join, just fresh perspectives that can guide our researchers, helping to make our research more relevant and acceptable to the people who use our services.
You will be able to:
You can be involved as much or as little as you wish, depending on your personal circumstances. Each group is different, with some meeting for approximately 2 hours every 8 weeks, and others meeting just once or twice in total.
If you are interested in a particular health condition that is not listed below, please do get in touch by emailing researchcommunications@nbt.nhs.uk
Our team does not just involve patients as Research/Trial participants. We are also committed to involving the public in every stage of a research project’s journey. From the development of an idea, through to the sharing of a project’s findings, we feel strongly that consistent involvement and engagement with our public partners in our research will result in high quality projects that are focussed on patients, and with outcomes that are important to them. We want to address real world healthcare challenges and improve care, but we can only do this by understanding and listening to a wide range of opinions and by ensuring we have a culture that encourages patient driven ideas.
We are always keen to expand our Public Involvement Group and have new members join us!
Patients with experience of Obstetrics/Gynaecology/Maternity services or members of the public with an interest in improving Women & Children’s Health and Care through research. We also have project-specific groups whose members may have a particular condition or experience – please contact us and we can keep you up to date with any relevant projects.
The Research Unit will host face-to-face meetings, video chats or can discuss projects via phone or email, if you prefer. We like to encourage discussions with researchers about their project ideas and research approaches; we ask for help reviewing research summaries and other research documentation; and also want to hear your general “lived experience” perspective to advise our research staff and clinicians on how best to deliver our projects. We can provide training to support your involvement in our projects, as required.
The dates and times of all the meetings/activities will be agreed in advance and we will endeavour to give as much notice as we can. Timings will be varied and flexible to accommodate the group.
Face-to-face meetings are sometimes held in the Learning & Research building at Southmead Hospital. However, we also like to choose the most suitable venue for the group that is meeting – these can be less formal and, for example, more child-friendly, if required.
If you are interested in being involved in our general and/or or a specific project’s Public Involvement Group, would like to register your interest, or would just like some more information please email us via wchresearch@nbt.nhs.uk.
Want to find out more about our research? Simply get in touch with a member of our team here.
Research & Development
North Bristol NHS Trust
Level 3, Learning & Research building
Southmead Hospital
Westbury-on-Trym
Bristol, BS10 5NB
Telephone: 0117 4149330
Email: research@nbt.nhs.uk
Bell’s palsy is a medical problem causing weakness of the muscles on one side of the face. It is usually temporary - with most people making a full recovery within two to three months. It comes on suddenly and the cause is unknown.
The facial nerve supplies the muscles in your face. In Bell’s palsy this nerve is affected, leading to weakness or paralysis of the muscles that control smiling, frowning, eating and closing the eyelids. It can also affect your ability to taste.
Bell’s palsy can affect men and women of any age but is most common in 15-45 year olds. In the UK it affects approximately one in 70 people at some point in their lifetime.
The symptoms of Bell’s palsy often occur very quickly, over a few hours or overnight. The weakness or paralysis usually affects one side of your face.
You may have been prescribed oral steroids (prednisolone) if your symptoms started in the last 3 days. If you have been prescribed steroids take 50mg (10 tablets) once a day for 10 days along with omeprazole 20mg once a day for 14 days then stop. Steroids may help to reduce inflammation and decrease the likelihood of damage to the facial nerve.
As the facial muscle may not be functioning fully, food may become stuck around the teeth and gums on the affected side. Make sure you remember to clean this area well and remove all debris after eating.
Eye care is very important if your eye is affected. If your eye does not close when blinking:
Video: How to Tape Your Eye Closed (Adults) - Facial Palsy UK
Exercises can be useful to tone the facial muscles as the movement begins to return, perform 10 each of these exercises 4 times a day:
75-90 people in every 100 people who have Bell’s palsy start to improve within three weeks, and make a full recovery within two to three months. However, about 5-10 people in every 100 people who have Bell’s palsy have some slight weakness which remains forever. Rarely there may be little or no improvement.
Most people with Bell’s palsy make a full recovery in 3 weeks to 3 months. If you do not make a full recovery in 3 weeks then make an appointment with your GP.
If you are unable to close your eye normally and develop pain, stinging or visual disturbance please attend the Eye Casualty at the Bristol Eye Hospital in the next 24 hours. The Bristol Eye Hospital Casualty is open 7 days a week from 8.30am - 4.30pm. Further information can be found at Bristol Eye Hospital - How to find us
© North Bristol NHS Trust. This edition published June 2025. Review due June 2028. NBT003415.
Super strong magnets can also be called Neo magnets, Bucky balls, Magnet balls or Super Strong Rare-Earth Magnets.
They are most often sold as ‘adult desk toys, stress relievers or brain development toys and it not legal to sell them to children less than 14 years of age.
They are 7-14 times stronger than traditional magnets and can be a variety of shapes, most often balls or discs.
Today, your child has been discharged after swallowing of a super strong magnet. Even though the magnet has not passed through them yet, it is safe to take your child home.
After going home, your child will need a follow up X-ray 6-12 hours later and you will have been given a time to re-attend the Emergency Department. This follow up X-ray is extremely important so doctors can make sure the magnet is moving normally through your child’s bowels.
Until your child has had their repeat X-ray, remove any other external magnetic objects nearby and avoid clothes with metallic buttons or belts with buckle
There is no need to examine your child’s faeces (poo) to find the swallowed object.
If a single magnet has been swallowed and it is not too large, it will usually pass through the digestive system on its own.
Very rarely, the magnet can become stuck in the stomach or intestines. Therefore, if your child has any of the following symptoms then you must return to the Emergency Department immediately:
Button batteries are small circular batteries which are often used in small electrical items such as TV remotes, key fobs, games, thermometers etc.
They are often also called coin batteries, button cells, or lithium coin batteries. These batteries produce a small current when they are in contact with body fluids.
This is not a problem if the battery is moving within the digestive system, but can cause harm if it becomes stuck.
If your child is over the age of five, and the X-ray shows that the button battery has already passed into their stomach or bowel, then your child is at low risk of serious harm.
The button battery will likely keep passing through your child’s digestive tract, and will come out in their faeces (poo) with no harm caused to your child.
If your child wears nappies, it is important to change them regularly during this time, as the button battery can cause burns to the skin if in contact for a long time.
Larger button batteries can be more dangerous than smaller ones. Your doctor will have told you if your child has swallowed a large or small button battery. Large batteries are >20mm, and small batteries are <20mm.
Larger button batteries – if your child has not passed the battery in their faeces within 48 hours of the time they swallowed it, then you must return to the emergency department for a repeat X-ray.
Smaller button batteries – if your child has not passed the battery in their faeces within 10 days of the time they swallowed it, then you must return to the emergency department for a repeat X-ray
Very rarely, the button battery can become stuck in the stomach or intestines. Therefore, if your child has any of the following symptoms then you must return to the Emergency Department immediately:
© North Bristol NHS Trust. This edition published April 2024. Review due April 2027. NBT003414.
VNS stands for Vagal Nerve Stimulator.
It helps treat your epilepsy.
It is a device in your body that send signals to a nerve. It helps calm down your brain activity when you have a seizure.
The battery on your VNS is low.
You need to come to the hospital to have a new VNS battery.
Before your surgery, you will see the epilepsy nurses to make sure you are healthy and ready for surgery.
You can't have food or drink before your surgery.
You can have your normal medications.
You will arrive at the hospital for your appointment at the time you have been told.
Your family or carer can support you.
You will go to Medirooms. It is in the blue zone.
You will check in at the desk.
You will wait in the waiting room.
Your name will be called.
A nurse or healthcare assistant will show you to your room.
You will wait in your room. This is your room for the rest of the day.
The nurse will check you in. They will ask you lots of questions to check you are healthy for the surgery.
The doctors and anaesthetist will see you in your room.
You will have a cannula fitted to your hand or arm.
You will be taken to the theatres.
Your family member or carer can get dressed into scrubs and come with you.
The anaesthetist will give you medicines to help you sleep.
You will have your VNS battery changed.
You will be asleep and won’t feel anything.
You will wake up in your hospital room.
Your family or carer can be there when you wake up.
You might have monitors on your arm when you wake up.
You might still have a cannula in your hand or arm.
You will have a bandage on your chest.
If you feel sore, the nurses can give you medicine to help you.
Your nurse will look after you.
When you have woken up you can have something to eat and drink.
When you are feeling well enough you can go home.
Wear your bandage for one week.
Keep your bandage dry when you shower.
A nurse will take the bandage off.
You will see your epilepsy nurse to check the VNS.
If you have a learning disability or autism and have any questions, you can call the hospital learning disability and autism liaison team on 0117 414 1239.
© North Bristol NHS Trust This edition published January 2026. Review due January 2029. NBT003502 EASY READ
You have been diagnosed as having an abscess that needs surgical treatment. We have arranged for you to have your operation as a day case.
This means that you will come back first thing in the morning, have your operation and go home on the same day.
You need to report to the theatre reception Gate 20, level two. You will be asked to go there at 7.30am.
We expect that you will go home the same day. If there are complications such as severe pain or sickness, you may have to stay in hospital.
If you do have any problems when you arrive home, contact your GP, district nurse or NHS 111 or for major problems SAU on 0117 414 3233.
Anaesthetic drugs remain in your body for several hours. During this time you will react more slowly and be more likely to have an accident. You may need some days off work and help at home.
You will need regular painkillers immediately after the operation. If you do not have suitable painkillers at home, you will be given tablets to take home with you. You will be given verbal and written advice about wound care and pain relief.
You will likely require a dressing on the area, often changed regularly for a few days or weeks. You can arrange for your GP practice nurse or district nurse to do this, please take your discharge summary as soon as possible to your surgery to arrange this. If your GP surgery cannot provide the service most NHS walk-in centres will. In most cases, the abscess will heal and you will not be seen again at the hospital.
If follow-up is planned, for specific complicated abscesses, this will be arranged for you by the hospital team and you will receive a letter in the post for the test or clinic.
Major Trauma Team
Surgical Assessment Unit
Gate 32B, Level 1
Brunel Building
Southmead Hospital
BS10 5NB
Telephone: 0117 414 3233
© North Bristol NHS Trust. This edition published July 2022. Review due July 2025. NBT002946
