It is good to hear that everything is being sorted out as quickly as possible for you.I hope it all goes ahead sooner rather than later and that all goes well. I just thought about the MRSA precautions you have to take for the 5 days preceeding your operation, if you are on a stand by and could be called in at any time you may not have 5 days notice, just a thought.
As for the use of  the gel, when I have had to go to the hospital I have seen very few people use it and there is none at all in our doctors surgery.I always have a small bottle in my bag,having worked in a care home I am just so used to using it all the time.

Betty x