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What to expect

Your first appointment

At your first appointment you will meet your surgeon and an advanced nurse practitioner who will explain what surgery is required and talk to you about your options. They will explain what the surgery involves, along with its benefits and risks.

From this point, you will be put on the waiting list for surgery, which we aim to keep as short as possible.

For information about how to prepare for your appointment with us, including what you need to bring with you, click here.

Pre-admission clinic

Before you are admitted to hospital for surgery, your advanced nurse practitioner will call you to arrange an appointment for you to come to a pre-admission clinic. This usually takes place between 1 and 4 weeks before your operation. The purpose of this appointment is to:

• identify any medical concerns which need to be addressed before your operation.  If a problem is found, appropriate investigations and/or treatment will be arranged
• ensure that all the necessary preparations for your operation have been completed
• answer any questions you may have
• have all or some of the following tests performed:
  • Chest x-ray - to look at the size, shape and condition of your heart and lungs.
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG) - to show the electrical activity of your heart.
  • Echocardiogram (Echo) - to look at an ultrasound picture of your heart and valves.
  • Blood tests - to check your blood count and kidney function, to identify your blood group and to prepare a blood transfusion in case it is needed during, or after, your operation.
  • Swabs for MRSA - swabs will be taken from your nose, throat and groin area to check for MRSA.

Don’t worry if you haven’t attended a pre-admission clinic as staff will visit you on the ward and give you any information you need.  All necessary investigations/tests will be completed when you come into hospital.

Shortly before your operation, the advanced nurse practitioner involved in your care will contact you by phone to discuss your surgery again and to help put you at ease. They will also talk to you in detail about your pathway – explaining what will happen after your operation, when you may be able to go home and what happens next.

Your stay in hospital

The time that you will spend in hospital will depend on the type of surgery you are having and the seriousness of your condition. Your surgery will take place at either St Bartholomew’s Hospital in the City or The London Chest Hospital in Bethnal Green and you will be given full details of this at your pre-admission appointment.

When you arrive on the ward, a member of staff will greet you and show you around. You will be visited by a doctor. He/she will examine you and answer any questions you may have. The operation will be explained to you and the risks involved discussed with you. You will be asked to sign a consent form, which gives your permission for the operation to be carried out and you will be given a copy of this form.

Immediately after your operation you will be transferred to the intensive care unit. This is where you will be cared for and closely observed, usually for six to 24 hours. After this time you will usually be transferred to the high dependency unit or coronary care unit. You and your relatives should not be alarmed if this period is extended. The intensive care staff will tell you if there are any concerns.

Please use the link below to download a guide to successful recovery from heart surgery.

Download Guidelines for a successful recovery from heart surgery.

For more information about staying at Barts and The London’s Hospitals, please click here – you will be transferred to Barts and The London’s main website.

Going home

In general, most patients are discharged home within a week following their operation. If possible, try to have someone to stay with you for the first seven to 10 days when you are at home. If this is not possible please tell your nurse when you attend the pre-admission clinic and/or on the day you are admitted to hospital. You will not be discharged home if you need nursing care without appropriate arrangements being made with the district nursing service or your local hospital.