Medical Oncologist
CION Cancer Clinics
Admission day: what happens | CION Cancer Clinics
On admission day you register at the desk, get a wristband and a bed, and are checked by the ward nurse, the surgical team and the anaesthetist. You sign consent, the site may be marked, and you are given fasting instructions. Much of the day is waiting, which is normal. This page walks through the usual order, what to bring, and how to plan if you are travelling from a district. CION Cancer Clinics’ surgical oncologists in Hyderabad can talk this through with you.
MI
Medically reviewed by Dr. Mohammed ImaduddinConsultant Surgical Oncologist · MBBS, MS (General Surgery), MCh (Surgical Oncology) · last reviewed September 2026, next review due September 2027
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On this page
- What happens on the day you are admitted for surgery?
- What order do things usually happen in?
- What should you have ready at the admission desk?
- Who will you meet on admission day?
- How does same-day admission differ from coming the day before?
- What do families often assume about admission day?
- What if you are travelling from a Telangana district?
- Common questions about admission day
The short answer
What happens on the day you are admitted for surgery?
You register at the admission desk, get a wristband and a bed, and are checked by nurses and doctors so the operation can go ahead safely. Most of the day is paperwork, tests and waiting, and that is normal.
The day before, or the same morning
Some people are admitted the day before surgery. Others come in early on the morning of the operation. Which one you get depends on the size of the operation, your other health conditions, any bowel preparation, and how far you have travelled. Your admission sheet says which applies to you.
Why it takes so long
Each check depends on the one before it. The bed has to be ready, the insurance or scheme approval confirmed, blood results back and the doctors free between operations. Waiting a few hours does not mean something has gone wrong.
What this page cannot tell you
Every hospital runs admission a little differently. This page describes what usually happens, not the exact order or timing at your centre. Your admission sheet and the ward nurse are the final word.
Arrive at the time given, even if you think the wait will be long. Late arrival can move you down the theatre list.Through the day
What order do things usually happen in?
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The admission desk
Your ID, referral letter and insurance or scheme card are checked. Forms are signed and a deposit may be asked for if you are paying yourself. You get a wristband with your name and hospital number.
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Settling onto the ward
You are shown your bed and told the visiting and attendant rules. Usually one family member can stay with you.
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The nurse's checks
Blood pressure, pulse, temperature, weight and blood sugar. You are asked about allergies, every medicine you take, and when you last ate.
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Tests, if needed
Some blood tests, a heart tracing or a chest X-ray may be repeated or completed. Blood may be cross-matched for the operation.
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Doctors' visits
The surgical team explains the operation and takes your consent. They may mark the site. The anaesthetist checks your fitness and explains how you will be kept asleep and comfortable.
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The evening
Skin or bowel preparation if prescribed, and the fasting instructions for the night. Try to rest.
Not sure whether this applies to you?
Ask an oncologistHave it in hand
What should you have ready at the admission desk?
- Aadhaar or another photo ID for the patient
- Your admission sheet and the surgeon's referral letter
- Insurance card, or Aarogyasri, CGHS, ECHS or EHS papers
- All previous reports, scans and the biopsy report
- Every medicine you take, in its original strip or bottle
- A phone number for the family member making decisions
The people
Who will you meet on admission day?
Many people will ask you similar questions. That is by design, so that nothing is missed.
Admission and insurance staff
They open your file, confirm the approval from your insurer or scheme and explain any payment. Ask them what is covered before you sign anything.
The ward nurse
Your main contact through the day. The nurse does most of the checks, tells you when to stop eating and drinking, and knows when the doctors are coming.
The surgical team
A surgeon from your team explains the operation, its risks and what happens afterwards, then takes your signed consent.
Worth asking
- Roughly what time the operation is
- Where the family should wait
The anaesthetist
The doctor who keeps you asleep and safe during surgery. They ask about your heart, lungs, teeth and past anaesthetics, and plan pain relief for afterwards.
Leave a number, we will call you
One field. No form to fill in, and no charge for the call.
Two routes
How does same-day admission differ from coming the day before?
Admitted the day before
Admitted the same morning
Checks and consent happen in the afternoon and evening
Checks and consent are done at an earlier visit or early that morning
Often used for bowel preparation or larger operations
Often used for smaller operations in people who are otherwise well
Suits families travelling a long way
Needs a very early start, which is harder from a distant district
An extra night in hospital
You sleep at home, and fast there as instructed
Commonly believed
What do families often assume about admission day?
"Once we are admitted, the operation is fixed for sure."
Admission is not a promise of a time. An emergency case, a new test result, a fever or a bed shortage can move the plan. The team will explain any change and why it happened.
"The whole family should come and stay on the ward."
Wards usually allow one attendant, to keep infection down and let staff work. Choose the one person who can stay, sign forms and speak to the doctors. Others can visit at set times.
"We already told the doctor our medicines, so we need not bring them."
Bring every strip and bottle anyway. The ward team has to see exactly what you take, including ayurvedic and homeopathic products. They decide what continues and what is paused.
"Signing the consent form means we cannot ask more questions."
You can ask questions before and after signing, and you can ask the surgeon to explain again. Consent is a conversation, not just a signature.
Coming from further away
What if you are travelling from a Telangana district?
Plan the journey so you reach the hospital at the time on your admission sheet, rested and with your papers. If you are coming from somewhere like Warangal, Karimnagar, Nizamabad or Khammam, ask whether you can be admitted the day before.
Before you leave home
Call the hospital a day ahead to confirm the bed and the time. Check that your insurance or Aarogyasri approval has come through. Keep all reports in one folder, and carry enough of your regular medicines for the whole stay.
On the journey
Follow the fasting instructions even while travelling. If you have been told to stop eating at a certain time, do not eat on the way. Carry water only if you have been told you may drink it.
If you fall ill or are delayed
Call the ward or the helpline before you set out if you have a fever, cough, loose motions or any new illness. Also call if you are running late. It may still be possible to keep your date if they know early.
Who this is not for: an emergency admission through casualty skips most of these steps. The checks happen faster, in a different order.Questions we are asked
Common questions about admission day
Why am I admitted the day before surgery?
Usually so the team can finish checks, take consent, and start any bowel or skin preparation in hospital. It also helps if you are travelling a long way or have health conditions that need watching overnight. Your surgeon decides which route suits your operation.
Can I eat on admission day?
Usually yes, until the time you are told to stop. The ward nurse will give you the exact fasting instructions for the night before or the morning of surgery. If you are on bowel preparation or have diabetes, your instructions may be different, so follow what your own team says.
How many family members can stay with the patient?
Most wards allow one attendant to stay, with other visitors at set times. Rules differ between hospitals and between wards such as the ICU. Ask at the admission desk, and choose someone who can sign forms and talk to the doctors for the family.
What if our insurance approval has not come through yet?
Tell the admission desk as soon as you arrive. They can follow up with your insurer or scheme and tell you the options. Aarogyasri, CGHS, ECHS, EHS and cashless insurance each have their own steps. A delayed approval can delay admission, so start early where you can.
Should I take my usual medicines on admission day?
Take them only as your team has instructed. Some medicines, such as blood thinners and some diabetes tablets, are paused or changed before surgery, but only your doctors decide which ones and when. Bring every medicine with you so the ward team can see exactly what you take.
Will my operation happen at the time I am told?
It may move. Theatre lists change when an earlier operation runs long or an emergency comes in. The nurse will tell you the rough order on the list. If there is a long delay, ask whether you can have water or need a drip while you wait.
What should I bring for the night before?
Loose, comfortable clothes, slippers with a good grip, toiletries, your spectacles or hearing aid with a case, a phone charger and your medicines. Leave jewellery and large amounts of cash at home. The family member staying will need their own change of clothes too.
Can I leave the ward after admission?
Ask the nurse before you go anywhere. Doctors may come to see you at any time, and a test or preparation may be due. If you do step out, stay within the hospital, keep your phone with you, and never eat or drink outside your instructions.
Meet the Specialists
17+ senior cancer specialists. One panel for your case.
Trained at AIIMS, Tata Memorial, and leading international centres. Combined 150+ years of experience. Every complex case is reviewed by 3+ of them — together.
Medical Oncologist
Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy
MBBS(Gold Medal), DNB(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Gold Medal)
Medical Oncologist
Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla
MBBS, MD(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Adyar,Chennai), ECMO, MRCP SCE(UK)
Medical Oncologist
Dr. Owais Mohammed
MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DrNB (Medical Oncology), ECMO, MRCP SCE (Medical Oncology) (UK)
Medical Oncologist
Medical Oncologist
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Muralidhar Muddusetty
MBBS (AIIMS), MS (Surgery) (AIIMS), DNB (Surgical Oncology), MRCS (Edinburgh)
Surgical Oncologist
Surgical Oncologist
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Vinay Mamidala
MBBS, MS(General Surgery), M.Ch(Surgical Oncology), FMAS, FARIS(Ongoing)
Surgical Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Hematologist
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Vajja Sandeep Kumar
MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DrNB (Surgical Oncology), FALS Oncology
Surgical Oncologist
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Accreditation and empanelment
- NABH
- NABL
- ISO 9001:2015
- ArogyaSri empanelled
- CGHS accepted
- ECHS accepted
- EHS accepted
- Major cashless insurers
Paying for it
Insurance, schemes and payment
What you actually pay usually differs a great deal from the sticker figure.
AarogyasriEmpanelled. Bring the card and a referral where you have one.
CGHS / ECHS / EHSAccepted at CION centres for eligible treatment.
Cashless insuranceMost major insurers are empanelled. Pre-authorisation is handled by our desk.
Self-payItemised estimate given before treatment starts. No EMI scheme exists.
Where to find us
Our centres in and around Hyderabad
Addressed by landmark, because that is how this city navigates. A surgical consultation can be booked at any of these centres through one helpline, and your team will tell you where the operation itself takes place.
Warangal
Vizag
Sources
- NICE — Perioperative care in adults (NG180)
- NHS — General anaesthesia
- Cancer Research UK — Surgery for cancer
- Macmillan Cancer Support — Surgery
This page is general information, not a prescription. Do not change or stop any treatment based on what you read here. If anything is worrying you, contact your own treating team — or call our helpline and we will help you reach the right specialist.
Keep reading
Related pages
Documents to Carry for Cancer SurgeryThe papers the admission desk will ask forWhat to Pack for a Cancer OperationThe bag for you and the person stayingFasting Instructions the Night BeforeWhen to stop eating and drinkingWho Should Come With You for Surgery?Choosing the one attendant who staysCost, Insurance and Schemes for Cancer SurgeryApprovals and payment before admission
Talk to us
Not sure what your admission sheet asks of you?
Call the helpline before you travel. We will help you confirm the details with the team. One helpline serves every CION centre.