What to expect in Riga
Reviewed By Patient Coordinator Mim Dickens
Last updated 01/01/2000
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Reviewed By Patient Coordinator Mim Dickens Last updated 01/01/01 |
A step by step breakdown of your upcoming visit to Riga and what to expect on your trip.
We understand that traveling abroad for your procedure can be daunting so we aim to provide you with a stress-free and pleasant experience.
This article breaks down your upcoming stay in Riga and what to expect during your visit.
In a nutshell, you’ll arrive in Riga either one or two days before your surgery date (depending on your scheduled surgery day).
Upon arrival at the Clinic you will have your pre-operative tests, pre-surgery consultation with your surgeon and then your surgery.
Welcoming you to Riga!
Upon arrival in Riga, you will need to exit the arrivals terminal and you will find your transfer driver waiting for you to transfer you to the hotel - make sure you have your hotel reservations ready.
Sometime either prior to or after your arrival in Riga you will be contacted by a local patient coordinator with instructions regarding times for tests etc. They’ll be your coordinator in Riga and will be looking after you throughout your stay in Riga.
Be sure to save their number in your phone so that if you have any queries or questions while you are in Riga, you’ll be able to reach them.
Your first night(s) will be spent at a 4-star hotel in the city center.
Your blood tests will be taken either at the hotel or at the Clinic either the day before your entry to the Clinic or on the day of your entry to the Clinic.
All local transfers to/from the Clinic will be arranged by your local patient coordinator. They’ll give you exact instructions on your first meet.
‘Nil by mouth’ starts from 7 pm for food and midnight for still water the night before pre-operative tests and also the night before your planned surgery. You’ll be allowed to have sips of still water in the morning on the day of your pre-operative tests.
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On the day of admission to the Clinic
You will be transferred to the clinic from the hotel by your driver.
Once you have checked into the Clinic you will start undergoing your pre-operative tests, the tests will be:
- Chest & Lung X Rays
- Abdominal Scan & Digestive System Scan
- ECG
- Blood tests
- Endoscopy
If having pre-operative test & surgery same day
After your pre-operative tests and consultations with the Surgeon and anaesthetist you will then be given your surgery gowns and you will be prepared for your surgery - you will be given a sedative to relax you shortly before being taken down to the operating theatre.
Once surgery is completed and you are out of the recovery theatre you will be taken back to your room. Care will be administered at your bedside by the nurses and Drs.
As soon as you can get up and out of bed and move as much as possible, the sooner this is done the much better and quicker your recovery will start. This gets the blood and heart pumping again.
After a while you need to start drinking sips of water to get your stomach used to fluids. Please ensure you aim for one cup of water every hour, water fountains are located on the ward landing.
Later the nurses will bring you an Actimel or Yakult probiotic drink, you’ll also be able to help yourself from the patient fridge on the landing next to the water fountain, you will be on about 4 a day during your stay in the clinic.
IF having surgery the following day after your pre-operative tests
Once all your pre-operative tests results are back you will be permitted to have something light to eat, chicken, fish are fine but no red meats. Nil by mouth will start for food by 7 pm and drink by 10 pm.
The nursing staff will let you know if you can leave the Clinic to grab something to eat or would need to have food ordered in.
You will have your consultations with the Surgeon and anaesthetist sometime after your pre-operative tests results are back either during the same day or next day before your surgery.
You might have your pre-op tests as a day case. If this is the case you will be transferred back to the hotel and picked up the following morning from the hotel and transferred to the Clinic.
In either circumstances all the practical and logistics arrangements will be taken care of by your local patient coordinator. Wake up shower and they will give you your surgery gowns. Care is administered at your bedside by the nurses and Drs.
As soon as you can get up and out of bed and move as much as possible, the sooner this is done the much better and quicker your recovery will start. This gets the blood and heart pumping again.
After a while you need to start drinking sips of water to get your stomach used to fluids. Please ensure you aim for one cup of water every hour, water fountains are located on the ward landing.
Later the nurses will bring you an Actimel or Yakult probiotic drink, you’ll also be able to help yourself from the patient fridge on the landing next to the water fountain, you will be on about 4 a day during your stay in the clinic.
On the day of admission to the Clinic
You will be transferred to the clinic from the hotel by your driver.
Once you have checked into the Clinic you will start undergoing your pre-operative tests, the tests will be:
- Chest & Lung X Rays
- Abdominal Scan & Digestive System Scan
- ECG
- Blood tests
- Endoscopy
If having pre-operative test & surgery same day
After your pre-operative tests and consultations with the Surgeon and anaesthetist you will then be given your surgery gowns and you will be prepared for your surgery - you will be given a sedative to relax you shortly before being taken down to the operating theatre.
Once surgery is completed and you are out of the recovery theatre you will be taken back to your room. Care will be administered at your bedside by the nurses and Drs.
As soon as you can get up and out of bed and move as much as possible, the sooner this is done the much better and quicker your recovery will start. This gets the blood and heart pumping again.
After a while you need to start drinking sips of water to get your stomach used to fluids. Please ensure you aim for one cup of water every hour, water fountains are located on the ward landing.
Later the nurses will bring you an Actimel or Yakult probiotic drink, you’ll also be able to help yourself from the patient fridge on the landing next to the water fountain, you will be on about 4 a day during your stay in the clinic.
IF having surgery the following day after your pre-operative tests
Once all your pre-operative tests results are back you will be permitted to have something light to eat, chicken, fish are fine but no red meats. Nil by mouth will start for food by 7 pm and drink by 10 pm.
The nursing staff will let you know if you can leave the Clinic to grab something to eat or would need to have food ordered in.
You will have your consultations with the Surgeon and anaesthetist sometime after your pre-operative tests results are back either during the same day or next day before your surgery.
You might have your pre-op tests as a day case. If this is the case you will be transferred back to the hotel and picked up the following morning from the hotel and transferred to the Clinic.
In either circumstances all the practical and logistics arrangements will be taken care of by your local patient coordinator. Wake up shower and they will give you your surgery gowns. Care is administered at your bedside by the nurses and Drs.
As soon as you can get up and out of bed and move as much as possible, the sooner this is done the much better and quicker your recovery will start. This gets the blood and heart pumping again.
After a while you need to start drinking sips of water to get your stomach used to fluids. Please ensure you aim for one cup of water every hour, water fountains are located on the ward landing.
Later the nurses will bring you an Actimel or Yakult probiotic drink, you’ll also be able to help yourself from the patient fridge on the landing next to the water fountain, you will be on about 4 a day during your stay in the clinic.
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On the day of discharge
Discharge is two full days after surgery, anytime in the afternoon after 1.00 pm generally speaking. Back to the hotel if applicable, transfer to the airport and then on your flight home.
It's a lot of walking to get to the gate so we recommend arranging special assistance for the return flight home otherwise make your way to your gate with plenty of time to spare as it is a long walk.
It is recommended to wear compression stockings for your journey / flight home as this reduces the risks of developing a DVT. Y
ou can buy compression stockings and flight socks from pharmacies, airports and many high-street shops and pharmacies. They can also be prescribed by a GP. Compression stockings and flight socks come in different sizes with different levels of compression. Class 1 stockings have the lowest compression (with a pressure of 14-17 mmHg at the ankle) and are generally sufficient to prevent a DVT - it's important that compression stockings are worn correctly. Ill-fitting stockings could further increase the risk of DVT.
You will be given a diet and information sheets on discharge from the Clinic as well as two copies of the surgery details in your discharge notes and what is expected from your GP - in terms of blood tests and prescriptions.
Some final advisory information
We would recommend a good multivitamin, B12 supplement and Biotin. Amazon has a great range as do Boots, Holland & Barrat etc.
We recommend you take some soluble paracetamol for when you are discharged and windezze or any charcoal-based tablet for the trapped wind after surgery.
Smooth cups of soups (low salt & sugar), protein powder, and fruit teas are an easy make in the hotel if having an extra night at the hotel on discharge from the clinic after surgery. There are many local stores for purchasing Actimel or protein shakes if needed post op.
Take plug adaptors as electric sockets are European style.
N/B: Please note that from time to time there might be different arrangements made so please use this as a general guide. You will be advised by your patient coordinator or clinic staff if there is any change to your itinerary.
On the day of discharge
Discharge is two full days after surgery, anytime in the afternoon after 1.00 pm generally speaking. Back to the hotel if applicable, transfer to the airport and then on your flight home.
It's a lot of walking to get to the gate so we recommend arranging special assistance for the return flight home otherwise make your way to your gate with plenty of time to spare as it is a long walk.
It is recommended to wear compression stockings for your journey / flight home as this reduces the risks of developing a DVT. Y
ou can buy compression stockings and flight socks from pharmacies, airports and many high-street shops and pharmacies. They can also be prescribed by a GP. Compression stockings and flight socks come in different sizes with different levels of compression. Class 1 stockings have the lowest compression (with a pressure of 14-17 mmHg at the ankle) and are generally sufficient to prevent a DVT - it's important that compression stockings are worn correctly. Ill-fitting stockings could further increase the risk of DVT.
You will be given a diet and information sheets on discharge from the Clinic as well as two copies of the surgery details in your discharge notes and what is expected from your GP - in terms of blood tests and prescriptions.
Some final advisory information
We would recommend a good multivitamin, B12 supplement and Biotin. Amazon has a great range as do Boots, Holland & Barrat etc.
We recommend you take some soluble paracetamol for when you are discharged and windezze or any charcoal-based tablet for the trapped wind after surgery.
Smooth cups of soups (low salt & sugar), protein powder, and fruit teas are an easy make in the hotel if having an extra night at the hotel on discharge from the clinic after surgery. There are many local stores for purchasing Actimel or protein shakes if needed post op.
Take plug adaptors as electric sockets are European style.
N/B: Please note that from time to time there might be different arrangements made so please use this as a general guide. You will be advised by your patient coordinator or clinic staff if there is any change to your itinerary.
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