Surgery
The hospital staff will tell you what time you need to be there for your operation. You normally go into hospital on the day of your surgery. But sometimes you might go in the night before.
If the hospital has sent you a letter telling you the time and date of your admission, take that with you when you go.
Make sure you know where to go when you arrive. And if you are running late, call them to let them know.
Follow any instructions you were given at your pre operative assessment about how to prepare for your admission to hospital. This includes information on:
showering
not using certain hair and body products, including make up and nail varnish
what to take with you and what not to take
You may also need to follow information on having carbohydrate drinks before your operation.
Your nurse will go through a series of questions on a checklist to make sure you are ready for surgery. They ask you to:
tell them when you last had something to eat and drink
change into a hospital gown
put on a pair of anti embolism stockings - these help prevent blood clots
take off any jewellery - you may be able to keep a wedding ring on
remove contact lenses if you have them
wear a hospital identification band - this is normally on your wrist
If you have false teeth you can usually keep them in until you get to the anaesthetic room.
For some types of surgery, your nurse asks if they can remove the hair around the operation area. They usually do this with small battery powered clippers. They might remove the hair on the ward before you go for your operation. Or when you’re in the operating theatre.
Before you go for surgery you will see members of your health care team again. You have a chance to ask them any questions you have or explain if you have any concerns. You normally see:
They talk through the operation and go through the consent form again with you.
They ask you questions about your health and explain about the type of anaesthetic they are going to give you. They also explain what painkillers you are going to have afterwards.
Your anaesthetist may also ask you to have some medicine before you go for your operation. This can include medicine to help you relax (premed) or to help stop you feeling sick after the operation.
You have an anaesthetic so that you can’t feel anything during the operation. Your anaesthetist gives you this in the anaesthetic room or the operating theatre.
There are different types of anaesthetic. These include:
local anaesthetic to numb a small area
regional anaesthetic to numb a large area or part of your body – this includes epidural and spinal anaesthetic
general anaesthetic so you are asleep during the operation
medicine to make you relax – this is called sedation
You might have more than one type of anaesthetic for your operation.
Your anaesthetist usually puts a small tube (cannula) into a vein in your arm. You have any fluids and medicines you need through the cannula. This includes general anaesthetic and sedation.
Before your operation your anaesthetist might put a small tube (catheter) through the skin of your back. It goes into the fluid around your spinal cord. This is an epidural. Your anesthetist can attach a pump to this tube to give you pain medicines during and after the operation.
Read more about what happens after pancreatic cancer surgery
We have more information on what happens on the day of cancer surgery, including:
getting ready for your operation
going to the operating theatre
how you have the different types of anaesthetic
Find out more about what happens on the day of cancer surgery
Last reviewed: 29 Jun 2026
Next review due: 29 Jun 2029
The type of surgery you have depends on where the cancer is in your pancreas. Find out about the different types of surgery for pancreatic cancer, what happens before and what to expect afterwards.
Before your operation you usually have a pre operative assessment appointment to prepare you for surgery. This normally includes having some tests to check your fitness. You also meet members of your healthcare team.
What happens after pancreatic cancer surgery depends on what operation you had. You normally have some drips and drains in. And you have a wound. You may go to the intensive care or high dependency unit after surgery.
Your treatment depends on the position of the cancer in the pancreas, how big it is, the type of pancreatic cancer, whether it has spread, if they can remove it with surgery and your general health.
There is practical and emotional support available to help you cope with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, and life during and after treatment.
Pancreatic cancer starts in the pancreas. This is the gland that produces digestive juices and hormones such as insulin. Find out more including treatments, survival and coping with pancreatic cancer.
About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since 2010. Learn more about Dangoor Education
Search our clinical trials database for all cancer trials and studies recruiting in the UK.
Connect with other people affected by cancer and share your experiences.
Questions about cancer? Call freephone 0808 800 40 40 from 9 to 5 - Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can email us.
