Surgical

Preparing for surgery (Local Anaesthetic)

• Please follow any pre-admission instructions given by your doctor.
• Discuss your travel arrangements to and from surgery with us – we have parking available
• Continue your normal meals and medication unless instructed not to
• Get a good night’s sleep
• Wash your hair, remove makeup and jewellery
• Prepare to be admitted for approximately one hour – wear loose, comfortable clothing
• Inform us if you are on aspirin, Astrix, Cardiprin, Warfarin, Plavix, Iscover, Assasantin, Dipyridamole, or any other blood thinner. We will let you know if you require a pre-treatment blood test or alteration or cessation of these medications
• Prepare for when you get home – make sure you have any necessary pain relief on hand, and be prepared to miss a certain period of work (where appropriate, we will provide a medical certificate).

Post Surgery (Local Anaesthetic)

• A follow up appointment with our nurses will be made prior to your discharge.
• You will receive post treatment information prior to your discharge.

Preparing for surgery (Sedation)

Doctors’ Orders

• Please follow any pre-admission instructions given by your doctor.

Medication

• Take your regular medication on the day of your procedure with a sip of water, unless otherwise instructed.
• If you are a diabetic please speak to our clinical staff for specific instructions.
• If you are an asthmatic and use puffers, bring them with you to the hospital.
• Inform us if you are on aspirin, Astrix, Cardiprin, Warfarin, Plavix, Iscover, Assasantin, Dipyridamole, or any other blood thinner. We will let you know if you require a pre-treatment blood test

What to Wear

• Loose and comfortable clothing.
• Shower and wash your hair the day of or before procedure.
• Do not wear make-up or nail polish.
• Leave all valuables and jewellery at home – you may wear your wedding ring.

Parking

• Onsite and Street parking is available.
• Please allow time to find a carpark, especially during busy times.

Relatives, Friends and Carers

• Relatives, Friends and Carers will not be permitted to stay with you once you are admitted.
• They may wait in our waiting room. Shopping in the area has become a popular way for relatives and carers to entertain themselves whilst waiting for the patient to be discharged.
• Or alternatively, we will ring when the patient is ready to go home.

What to Bring

• Any relevant forms that you may still have for Brighton Day Surgery.
• Your private health insurance card and medicare card
• Results of any relevant tests completed prior to admission.

What to expect

• Our friendly receptionist will finalise your admission and account and any other necessary details, on arrival.
• Our nursing staff will welcome you into the hospital where you can relax on a comfortable reclining chair.
• Observations and a medical history will be taken by our nursing staff.
• Your privacy and confidentiality is retained and respected at all times.
• Your anaesthetist and surgeon will see you prior to your surgery. You may ask any questions at this point.
• Prepare for when you get home – make sure you have any necessary pain relief on hand, and be prepared to miss a certain period of work (we’ll give you a medical certificate).

Post Surgery (Sedation)

• All procedures require recovery time and this depends on the individual patient. The average stay is approximately 3-4 hours depending on your procedure.
• Patients are offered light refreshments before leaving the hospital.
• Following anaesthesia, you are to be accompanied home by a responsible adult and have someone with you on the night of surgery. We also recommend that you are transported home by private car or taxi and NOT on public transport.
• A 24-hour instruction sheet will be given to you on discharge.
• A follow up appointment with our nurses will be made prior to your discharge.
• You will receive a courtesy phone call from our nursing staff the following day or shortly thereafter.