Preparing for Surgery
Our team of reception staff, physicians and anaesthetists work together to ensure your surgery proceeds as safely and smoothly as possible.
Our office will provide you with written information about your admission and procedure, and ask that you take the time to carefully read all material given to you.
Before Your Admission
Depending on your type of surgery, we may arrange for you to see our physician for a pre-operative assessment, to check your general health and ensure that you are medically prepared and safe for surgery and an anaesthetic.
If we have referred you for a pre-operative blood test, please ensure that this is done 5-10 days prior to your admission.
Please take the time to carefully read the material given to you by our rooms and ensure you have completed your hospital admission form prior to your admission.
Take care of yourself. In the weeks before your surgery, try to eat a nutritious diet and get enough sleep. Undertaking light exercise to maintain and enhance flexibility and strength will also be helpful in your recovery from surgery.
If you smoke, please try to cease smoking as soon as possible, or for at least the few days leading up to your procedure.
If you take any regular medications, please advise our rooms in case you need to cease any prior to surgery. If you have a consultation with our physician, you will be advised during that appointment of any medications that may need to be ceased prior to surgery.
Arrange for a family member or friend to be available to pick you up from hospital on discharge, as you cannot drive yourself home. The hospital will ask that someone be with you overnight when you return home. You may also benefit from having a friend or relative available to help you in the week or two after surgery. If required, the hospital will arrange for you to spend some time in inpatient rehabilitation before you discharge home.
On the Day of Your Admission
We will advise you what time you need to fast from on the day of your procedure. Please ensure that you strictly adhere to the fasting time we give you.
Ensure that you pack a bag of everything you will need during your hospital stay, including personal hygiene products, comfortable and loose-fitting clothing, supportive footwear, and all medication you are currently taking.
Before you leave home, have a long shower, wash your hair and put on freshly washed clothes. This helps to prevent bacteria from coming into hospital with you.
Post-Operative Rehabilitation
Provided that your health insurance (or other third party, i.e. WorkCover, TAC, etc) has agreed to cover the cost, inpatient rehabilitation is available for our patients after surgery. Whether you have inpatient rehab after surgery depends on several factors, such as the type of operation you have had, your living arrangements, your general health, and your overall physical condition. Inpatient rehab is coordinated by the hospital during your admission. Soon after your surgery, a member of the hospital’s rehab team will attend your bedside and discuss rehab options with you in detail, including which rehab facility you may be transferred to.