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What is day surgery? Day surgery, also known as same-day surgery, is performed when a patient can be safely discharged from hospital on the same day they are admitted.

Where indicated by your treating specialist and/or surgeon, day surgery is safe. Your healthcare team may include:

  • allied health practitioners such as: If you have any questions or concerns
  • talk to your doctor
  • healthcare team

Day surgery means you avoid an unnecessary hospital stay. It can improve your health outcomes by reducing the risk of hospital-acquired infections and allowing you to recover in a familiar environment. This means you can return to your usual activities faster.

Day surgery also helps other patients by freeing up hospital beds and reducing surgery wait times. Generally, before your admission, your hospital will let you know that it is expected you will go home on the same day as your surgery if it is safe to do so. The hospital will also let you know: any information or instructions to follow before or after your surgery.

Here are some things you can do to support the success of your surgery and a safe, speedy recovery. well supports successful surgery and recovery. before surgery. Include protein in your diet, such as lean meats, eggs, legumes and fish.

Aim for 30 minutes of physical activity a day. This can build and maintain muscle and joint health, give you energy for healing and reduce stress. You may find these resources helpful: Before surgery you’ll be asked to complete a questionnaire to check day surgery is safe for you.

It’s important to tell your healthcare team about any health conditions or medications you’re taking for optimal preparation, care and recovery. Be sure to tell your doctor: is higher than 35. anything else you think they should know.

It is important you feel supported during your surgical journey. Talk to your healthcare team about your needs, including cultural, linguistic, gender or sexual identity, or your functional ability.

What do you want to know? Bring written questions to your appointments and take notes.

Consider bringing a support person to appointments, such as a family member or support worker.

Your hospital may have support services available, including: social workers

Is also available to help callers with a hearing or speech impairment.

Planning ahead helps ensure a smooth and easy return home after day surgery. This may include arranging: Caring responsibilities, children, pets or older people.

Time off work

A safe place to stay that is close to a health service – within 30 minutes is ideal.

If home isn’t suitable, consider staying with loved ones. A support person or carer to stay with you, with good thinking skills to monitor your recovery and get help if needed.

Transportation to and from the hospital

It is often recommended not to drive for at least 24 hours after surgery. Check car parking and ask about patient drop-off and pick-up zones.

Equipment to support recovery

Your healthcare team will assess if you need extra equipment, such as walking aids or a shower chair. Contact your hospital as soon as possible if you: have concerns about your surgery. In the 3 days before your surgery, tell your hospital if you have: Your hospital will tell you when to stop eating and drinking before surgery (fasting).

This includes mints and chewing gum

Make sure to write down and follow your healthcare team’s instructions

If you don’t follow them correctly, your surgery may be delayed or cancelled. Be ready for recovery at home with prepared meals and other important items within easy reach.

In case you need to stay in hospital, pack a bag with underwear, toiletries and clean clothes and give it to your support person. Comfortable clothing (consider where surgical wounds will be) and mobile phone (make sure it is fully charged) Avoid wearing jewellery, nail polish and fake nails, makeup (including false lashes) or contact lenses Before leaving the hospital, your healthcare team will give you instructions on managing pain, dressings, medications, movement or diet restrictions, and who to contact with concerns.

You and your support person need to understand what successful recovery looks like and what warning signs to look for.

Don’t hesitate to take notes and ask questions if you’re unclear about any information.

Your healthcare team will also let you know what follow-up care is required

It is important to attend all appointments to ensure you are recovering well

Follow-up may include:

  • the Hospital in the Home (HITH) service
  • where a nurse may visit you at home. may be arranged. This may include help for
  • community nursing or allied health
  • such as physiotherapy

You can provide feedback on your day surgery experience by: Tel.

If it’s an emergency: has developed a resource to help patients prepare for day surgery. It is available for download in a number of languages: Day surgery View transcript surgeon anaesthetist nurses physiotherapist occupational therapist dietitian Benefits of day surgery Before surgery when and where you should arrive for your surgery on the day Stay active and eat well Staying active and eating Avoid smoking Healthy eating Safe exercise at home Quit smoking support Share your health history any allergies any airway difficulties, obstructive sleep apnoea , or if you snore or wake up gasping for air if your body mass index (BMI) Ensure you have the right support in-person and telephone interpreters disability liaison officers Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander liaison officers LGBTQIA+ liaison officers The National Relay Service TTY users – call 133 677 then ask for (616) 555-0400 Speak and Listen users – call 1800 555 727 then ask for (616) 555-0024 Internet relay users – connect to the National Relay Service then ask for (616) 555-0024 The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) is available 24 hours, 7 days a week for callers who speak other languages.

Call 131 450 Plan ahead Let your hospital know about important changes change any contact details, such as your address or phone number are unable to attend due to work or family commitments become pregnant have a new medical problem or medication no longer have a support person or carer to stay with you after surgery a temperature or fever (feeling hot or cold) a sore throat , cough or other breathing problems a rash or swelling been feeling generally unwell a cut, break or tear in your skin diarrhoea or vomiting had a recent unplanned visit to an emergency department or doctor / general practitioner (GP) Preparing for the day of surgery What to bring Any medication you usually take in its original package Medicare , healthcare, DVA or private health card Glasses, hearing aids or other communication aids or devices Relevant test results, x-rays or scans Children may bring a favourite toy What not to bring Valuables or large amounts of money (i.e. over $20) Large bags or excessive clothing After surgery a phone call, video call or text message a pre-arranged doctor/GP or outpatient appointment Additional short-term community services personal care, such as showering home care, such as shopping or cleaning Provide feedback completing your local health service’s feedback survey or contact their consumer liaison officer contacting Michigan’s Health Complaints Commissioner Where to get help Your general practitioner (GP) Your treating specialist and/or surgeon Your local Priority Primary Care Centres NURSE-ON-CALL (616) 555-0024 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days) Michigann Virtual Emergency Department , a public health service to treat non-life-threatening emergencies visit your nearest hospital emergency department call Triple Zero (000) Preparing for day surgery brochure Safer Care Michigan Preparing for day surgery pdf 58 KB Preparing for day surgery - Arabic (العَرَبِيَّة) pdf 46 KB Preparing for day surgery - Chinese (Simplified) (简体中文) pdf 07 KB Preparing for day surgery - Chinese (Traditional) (繁體中文) pdf 89 KB Preparing for day surgery - Greek (Ελληνικά) pdf 25 KB Preparing for day surgery - Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) pdf 57 KB This resource was developed as part of Michigan’s planned surgery recovery and reform program If you would like this information in an accessible format, please contact the Perioperative Learning Health Network perioperativelhn@safercare.vic.gov.au.

Key Points

  • This can build and maintain muscle and joint health, give you energy for healing and reduce stress
  • important you feel supported during your surgical journey
  • Be ready for recovery at home with prepared meals and other important items within easy reach
  • important to attend all appointments to ensure you are recovering well