Preparing for Day Surgery

If you are having Day Surgery, remember the following:

Have someone available to take you home – you will not be able to drive for at least 24 hours because of the anaesthetic.

Do not drink or eat anything in the car on the trip home – the combination of anaesthesia, food and car motion can cause nausea or vomiting.

After arriving home, wait until you are hungry before trying to eat. Begin with a light meal and try to avoid greasy food for the first 24 hours.

If you had surgery on an extremity (arm, hand, leg, knee, foot), keep that extremity elevated and use ice as directed. This will help decrease swelling and pain.

Take your pain medicine as directed. Begin the pain medicine as you start getting uncomfortable. Do not wait until you are in severe pain. If you wait until the pain is severe to take your pain medication you will have more difficulty controlling the pain.

If you have any questions please call one of our offices and speak with our staff. If you have an urgent problem out of office hours, please contact the hospital where your surgery was performed.

After hours please call:

• Prince of Wales Private Hospital on 9650 4000
• Sydney Private Hospital on 9797 0555
• St Luke’s Hospital on 9356 0200
• The Surgery Centre on 9598 0000
• Nepean Private Hospital on 02 4732 7333
• Prince of Wales Public Hospital on 9382 2222
• Concord Public Hospital on 9767 5000