In the lead up to a surgical procedure, you may be asked to attend a pre-operative assessment. If the assessment involves a visit to the hospital (rather than a phone or email conversation), some tests may be carried out. This is to check if you have any medical problems that might need to be treated before your operation, or if you'll need special care during or after the surgery. The tests you have will depend on what operation and the kind of anaesthetic you're having.
 
You may wish to take a copy of  Preoperative assessment guidance - hEDS & HSD with you to hand to your preoperative nurse. The pamphlet describes specific areas for consideration in patients with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD), which may be helpful to your pre-operative/surgical/post-operative team. You may also wish to keep a copy in your hospital 'grab bag' in case of emergency/unplanned surgical admittance.
 
Produced by the author of Understanding Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (a publication recommended by the RCGP and used within the wider NHS), this pamphlet has been reviewed and edited by Dr Alan Hakim (please note that, due to its intended use as an educational tool for health care professionals, the content is written in a style aimed primarily at healthcare professionals).
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The information on this pamphlet aims to help surgeons and anaesthetists consider the more common concerns that arise in patients with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) or hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD), and helps raise funds for the Hypermobility Syndromes Association, Ehlers-Danlos Support UK, EDS Wellness and the Ehlers-Danlos Society (a percentage of the profit from each pamphlet sold will be split between these charities and non profit organisations).
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Copyright & design rights © Claire Smith, Redcliff-House Publications.

PLEASE NOTE: 
Professional reference pamphlets, in this series from Redcliff-house Publications, are designed primarily for health professionals to use. They are reviewed by health care professionals and based on research evidence.
 
It is envisaged that this pamphlet will be taken, by the patient, to their pre-operative assessment and handed to the pre-operative nurse or registrar.  The pamphlet can then be held on file for the information of the surgical team and others involved in the patient's procedure, recovery and rehabilitation.
 
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FEEDBACK for these professional reference pamphlets includes:
'Claire, I was probably writing professional education pamphlets like this before you were born, so I’ve seen a lot of them, and this is one of the best I've ever seen.' 
Dr Alan Pocinki MD, PLLC 
 
'Just wanted to say a huge thank you to Claire Smith, EDS UK [who also offer this pamphlet on their website ehlers-danlos.org] and the publishing team for this leaflet. Having had terrible surgical experiences in the past I always try to give the surgical team information about EDS & POTS but find they are often dismissive or don't have time to read full journal articles.
 
I have recently had a gallbladder removal surgery, gave the anaesthetist and consultant surgeon a copy each of the leaflet on arrival and the treatment I received was exemplary based on them reading the information. They gave me great feedback about it- how clear and to the point it was, and it being well referenced meant they could trust it more than if I had provided anecdotal information or something printed from a website.
 
I have HEDS as well as severe Autonomic Dysfunction so surgery is always tricky for me but they were much more careful when positioning me to intubate as well as being more understanding of moving me around during the operation and mitigating my autonomic dysfunction etc.
 
Just wanted to give you some feedback and say a massive thank you to Claire Smith as it has made a stressful situation much easier for me and my family'. 
Patient feedback
 
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About Us: Redcliff-House is a small business set up to raise awareness of poorly recognised and under-diagnosed disorders such as hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, hypermobility spectrum disorder and associated conditions. Our aim is to design awareness raising materials and publish literature that fill gaps in existing information provision - benefiting patients and healthcare professionals. A percentage of the profit from literature sold is donated to nominated EDS/HSD charities and non-profit organisations. By working together, we aim to eliminate the duplication of efforts and save charities and non-profits precious funds and time.
 
For more info on pre-operative assessment, please visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/having-surgery/preparation/