If you have just been told that you need an operation, you're now at the start of a surgical journey. It may be a short journey or it may be a long one, but either way this podcast series is here to help you.

An operation can be a daunting prospect but there are many things patients can do to optimise their health and improve their overall experience. In this episode we are joined by an anaesthesiologist and a physiotherapist to discuss how to prepare for an operation and what it means to “get fit” for surgery.

Not every patient will require a visit to a preoperative clinic, but it is an opportunity to ensure that patients having more complex surgery or with other health conditions are ready for their operation. In this episode, an anaesthesiologist and a perioperative nurse discuss the purpose of the clinic and what will happen on the day.

Every patient, whether they are attending hospital for day surgery or staying for longer, will need to go through the admissions process on the day of surgery. Two perioperative nurses who work in the day procedure centre join us to discuss what happens on the day of surgery, and to answer important questions, like what to bring to hospital and who can accompany you.

Most patients having surgery will require a general anaesthetic. Anaesthesiologist, Dr Julia Kuchinsky, and perioperative nurse, Britt McNally, explain what happens when you have a general anaesthetic and address some common concerns and questions.

Some procedures can be done without general anaesthesia, especially operations like total joint replacements, which are often done under spinal. Dr Simon Bradbeer is an anaesthesiologist with a special interest in regional anaesthesia. He joins us in the podcast to explain what is meant by the term regional anaesthesia and what can be expected if you elect to have this form of anaesthesia.

In this episode we are joined by two of our most experienced perioperative nurses who are responsible for the postoperative recovery area. They explain what happens immediately after the conclusion of an operation, who cares for patients in the recovery room and how common complications are managed.

Returning to the ward signals the beginning of the postoperative journey. We invited a surgeon and a senior surgical nurse to explain the mysteries of the postoperative ward – including why surgical ward rounds always appear to be at 5 am in the morning.

Going home after an operation can be challenging, even after minor surgery. In this episode we discuss the process of leaving the hospital with our general practice liaison officer and a surgical nurse. They explain the resources available after an operation and who to call with concerns.

Prior to surgery, patients are often very concerned about how they will cope with postoperative pain; some worry about not having enough analgesia and others worry about the risks of addiction. To address these concerns, we invited a pain specialist and a nurse practitioner to explain the realities, and provide reassurance that pain is a manageable part of the recovery process.

Many patients are asked to take part in clinical trials while they are in hospital or even undergoing medical treatment as an outpatient. Research is important to the progress of medicine but being asked to take part in a trial can be confronting. In this episode, we interviewed two highly experienced medical researchers to explore the implications of taking part in a clinical trial.