Patient Information for Cape Town Patients

Preparing for Your Visit / Consultation

To ensure your consultation or procedure goes smoothly, please consider the following:

• Referral Letter: If referred by another doctor, please bring your referral letter.
• Medical History: Be prepared to discuss your medical history, including current medications, allergies, and past surgeries. It's helpful to bring a list of your medications.
• Test Results: Bring any relevant X-rays, scans, or blood test results.
• Questions: Write down any questions you have for Dr. Loots beforehand.
• Pre-procedure Instructions: If scheduled for a procedure in rooms, carefully follow any specific instructions provided by our rooms regarding fasting, medication adjustments, or other preparations.
• Comfortable Clothing: Wear comfortable clothing on the day of your appointment or procedure.
• Support Person: You may wish to bring a family member or friend for support, especially if you are anxious or if you will be receiving sedation for an in-room procedure.

Preparing for Your Surgery / Procedure

Preoperative Consultation

During the preoperative consultation, you will be given instructions to follow prior to your surgery/procedure. Remember each patient has different individual preoperative instructions, but below are some of the basic guidelines. You can contact the practice if you are unsure or have any further questions prior to your procedure.

Medications

You will need to supply a list of all medications you are currently taking, including herbal and homeopathic medications. You may need to stop certain medications several days prior to your elective surgery; often this will be to stop any blood thinning medication (anticoagulants) such as: Aspirin, Disprin, Cardio care, Ibuprofen, Xarelto, Warfarin, and most prescription NSAIDs.

Social Activities

• Avoid alcohol consumption.
• All recreational drugs will need to be stopped.

Diet & Fasting

Depending on the procedure you are having, you will be advised on any special dietary adjustments that need to be implemented. Before surgery, you must not eat anything 6 hours prior to your surgery. Small sips of water, clear apple juice or black tea/black coffee, Rehydrate, Fresenius Jucy, and other clear liquids (not containing milk products) can be taken orally up to 4 hours prior to the procedure.

Preoperative Skin Preparation Procedure

Proper skin preparation before surgery is an important step to reduce the risk of infection at the surgical site. You may be given specific instructions or antiseptic solutions to use. For detailed information on how to prepare your skin, please download and review the following document:

Download Pre-operative Skin Preparation Guide (PDF)

Admin and Authorization

Prior to any elective surgery/procedure, you need to make sure that you have pre-authorisation from your medical aid; the practice will assist you with this. On the day of your procedure, you will need to go to the main reception for admission. Here you will then need to complete and sign admission forms (they will already have most of your information from our practice). You will also need your proof of identification and medical aid card/insurance details. Kindly make you have sent you signed Informed Consent form back to the practice before your admission.

What to Pack and Other Useful Tit-bits

• Two prong electrical adapters, cell phone chargers, your most comfortable pajamas (remember to wear pajamas where the area of surgery can be easily exposed to do post-op wound checks), some reading material, sudoku, things to keep you entertained, your usual toiletries, some slippers/flip-flops and a cosy gown.

Please note: This is general information. Always follow the specific pre-operative instructions provided to you by Dr. Loots's practice for your particular surgery or procedure.

Colonoscopy Preparation

Specific bowel preparation is required to ensure the colon is clean for a clear view during your colonoscopy. Detailed instructions are crucial for the success of the procedure. The preparation might vary slightly depending on whether your procedure is scheduled for the morning or afternoon.

Morning Procedure Preparation:

If your colonoscopy is scheduled for the morning, please download and carefully follow the instructions in the PDF document below:

Download Morning Colonoscopy Prep Instructions (PDF)

Afternoon Procedure Preparation:

For colonoscopies scheduled in the afternoon, the bowel preparation instructions may differ. Please download and carefully follow these specific guidelines:

Download Afternoon Colonoscopy Prep Instructions (PDF)

These guides will typically cover dietary restrictions leading up to the procedure, the timing and administration of the bowel preparation solution (e.g., Picoprep), and other important considerations. If you have any questions or concerns about the preparation, please contact our rooms well in advance of your appointment. Adhering to these instructions is key for a successful and effective colonoscopy.