You will be asked to sign a consent for surgery form confirming that you understand the nature of the surgery, and the risks involved.

You will be given a quote outlining the anticipated fees for your surgeon, surgical assistant and any specific equipment required. Once you have reviewed this quote you will be asked to sign an informed financial consent form confirming that you understand the anticipated costs for your surgery. More information about our surgical fees can be found here.

When possible, we will go through these forms with you at the time of your appointment. Alternatively, you will be asked to complete the forms at home and mail, fax or email them back to our rooms prior to your surgery.

Your doctor’s secretary will book the hospital, anaesthetist, surgical assistant, and any specific equipment required for your procedure. You will be given the contact details of the anaesthetist and the hospital. You can contact them directly to discuss their specific fees.

You may be asked to get tests performed prior to your surgery, for example, a urine test. It is important that you get these tests done as instructed. Incorrect timing or incomplete tests may delay your surgery.

Prior to your surgery we will contact you with fasting instructions. From the time you are instructed to fast, do not eat any food including chewing gum, lollies, breath mints, or cough drops. Also do not drink anything – water, coffee, juice, etc. Do not swallow any of the water that is used to brush your teeth. Failure to adhere to fasting instructions may result in delay to your surgery, and in some cases cancellation.

You will need to make arrangements for someone to collect you from the hospital on discharge. If you have day surgery, you will need to have a responsible adult with you for the first 24 hours after your procedure.

Unless otherwise instructed, continue to take all of your regular medications in the lead up to your surgery. You should stop taking natural medicines and supplements two weeks before your surgery.

Admission processes differ from hospital to hospital, so it is important to read the information we send to you.

Hospitals like to ensure that patients are admitted well before their procedure time to ensure that paper work and appropriate processes are completed before surgery. While every effort is made to minimise the waiting time for patients, even in private hospitals, there will be some waiting.

On the day of the surgery wear loose fitting comfortable clothes. You should also bring with you:

• Medicare card
• Private health insurance card
• Department of veterans’ affairs (DVA) card
• Work cover claim details
• A credit card to pay the hospital admission excess
• A list of the medications you take regularly
• X-rays or other scans which you have copies of
• A book, some magazines or something similar to pass the time.
• Contact details for the person who will take you home
• A case or holder for glasses, contacts, dentures or hearing aids
• If you are staying overnight: toiletries, pyjamas and a change of clothes

On the day of surgery:

• Do not bring non-essential valuables
• Do not wear make-up and make sure nail polish is removed
• Do not use lotions, creams, aftershave, or perfume
• Do not use hairspray, mousse, or gels
• Do not shave or use deodorants near the site of surgery
• Take off all body piercings

Please arrive at the hospital admissions area at your admission time.

A staff member will check you in. If there is a hospital admission excess on your private health insurance policy, you may be required to pay this on admission.

You will be taken to the theatre waiting room. There you will change into a hospital gown. If you wear glasses, contacts, and/or hearing aids they will need to be removed.

A member of the nursing staff will check your blood pressure, pulse and temperature, and ask you questions about your general health. Your anaesthetist will come to talk to you about your anaesthetic.

You will then be taken into the operating theatre for your surgery.

After your surgery you will be taken to the recovery room. You will be monitored and given time to recover. The length of time will depend upon the type of surgery you have had.

If you are staying overnight, after you have recovered from the anaesthetic, you will be taken to the hospital ward.

It is not always possible to plan the exact time of your discharge in advance. Hospital staff will contact the person taking you home, giving them ample notice when you can be collected.

When it is time to leave, a staff member will go over instructions on how to take care of yourself at home.

You may be given medications dispensed by the hospital pharmacy, or prescriptions which can be filled in a community pharmacy.

Do not drive, operate machinery or sign legal documents within 24 hours of your surgery.

Unless otherwise instructed, you should be able to have a light meal on the evening of your surgery, and a normal diet the day after your surgery.

You may be tired and have some discomfort after surgery. This is to be expected. Take pain relief medications as instructed. Continue to take your regular medications unless otherwise instructed.

Constipation is common after surgery. To avoid constipation, drink plenty of water, eat a diet high in cereals, grains, fruit and vegetables, and go for gentle walks. Over the counter medications for constipation are available from all pharmacies if required.

Wound dressings can usually be removed between one and seven days after your surgery. You will be told when they can be safely removed. After your dressings have been removed, wounds can usually get wet in the shower, unless otherwise instructed. Avoid baths and swimming for at least two weeks after surgery.

We will contact you to arrange a follow up appointment after your surgery.

A letter summarising your surgery will be sent to your general practitioner or referring doctor.