Travelling to and from hospital
You will need someone to take you to hospital and to pick you up when you are ready for discharge.
What to bring to hospital
If you will be staying in hospital after your surgery, you should bring the following with you:
- Medicare card, insurance details pensioner or DVA cards
- Loose comfortable clothing/sleepwear (avoid anything tight around the abdomen)
- Toiletries including toothbrush and toothpaste, hairbrush or comb, deodorant etc
- Non slip footwear/slippers
- Essential medical equipment such as your CPAP machine if applicable
- Health aids such as glasses, hearing aids, walking stick or frame
- All your current medications and a list of any medications you are allergic to
- Something to read or entertain yourself with
It is best to leave any valuables that you do not need at home or in the care of your loved ones if they come in with you. It is advisable to remove any nail polish, artificial nails and make up prior to coming in for surgery.
Should I continue to take all my medications before surgery?
Many medicines can (and should) be continued before and after your surgery, however some medications can cause complications such as bleeding and must be stopped. It is important you inform your surgeon of all medications you take. If you need to stop taking any medications this will be discussed with you. Specific instructions need to be followed if you normally take blood thinning or diabetic medications.
Unless instructed otherwise, take your usual medications on the day of surgery with a small sip of water (even if you are fasting). Do not stop any medications if you have not been instructed to do so, as this can be dangerous and in some cases your surgery may need to be postponed.
Some natural/herbal medicines must also be stopped before surgery as they may impair the ability of the blood to clot properly increasing your risk of bleeding. Please inform Kaye at your appointment if you are taking any of these.
Do I need to fast?
Yes. Fasting before an anaesthetic is important to ensure your stomach is empty. If your stomach is full during an anaesthetic there is a risk of reflux of food which can enter your lungs and cause serious breathing problems and pneumonia. You will be provided with fasting instructions when you are booked for surgery.
What if I have questions?
If you have any questions or concerns in the lead up to your surgery, please contact our friendly staff. We will be happy to discuss these with you.
What should I expect on the day of surgery?
Most patients are admitted on the day of surgery. Our staff will let you know what time you need to arrive. When you arrive at hospital you will be directed to the admissions area where you will be checked in. You will be brought into the preoperative area where your nurse will assist you to change and secure your belongings. Your anaesthetist will meet and assess you and discuss with you the best anaesthetic for your procedure. When it is time for your surgery you will be bought into the operating theatre where Kaye will meet you and check if you have any questions or concerns. A number of checks will be performed (such as conforming your identity, surgery and any allergies) throughout this process. This can feel a little repetitive, but these processes are important for your safety.
After surgery you will be transferred to the recovery area and from there to the ward if you are being admitted, or the discharge lounge if you are going home. If you have had major surgery such as liver or pancreatic surgery, you will usually go to the high dependency (HDU)/intensive care (ICU) department for at least the first night. Relatives are not permitted into the recovery area but may see you once you are settled on the ward or in HDU/ICU (usually 90 minutes or so after surgery). The staff at the hospital main desk will be able to direct your relatives to the correct ward.
Post-operative care
Kaye will discuss your post-operative care with you prior to discharge. For most procedures, you will also be provided with written post-operative instructions when you are booked for surgery. Please read through these prior to your surgery so you know what to expect and keep them handy to check again and refer to once you are discharged home.