When you arrive at Bendigo Day Surgery please introduce yourself to the staff at front Reception. They are there to help you. They will check your paperwork and show you into the preoperative area where you will meet the Nursing staff and your Anaesthetist.
What to Bring
- Wear comfortable clothing and footwear and leave all jewellery and valuables at home. You will change into a gown before your surgery. Do not wear make-up or nail polish. Wear glasses rather than contact lenses
- Bring your current medications
- Provide a contact phone number of the responsible adult who will be driving you home
- A parent or guardian must accompany children, as well as an escort to drive them home
- Bring Medicare, health insurance and DVA cards and money for payment of account. We accept cheque, cash, EFTPOS, MasterCard and Visa
Your Procedure
You will be taken to the pre-anaesthetic area where you will change into a gown. Your Nurse will check your identity and personal details, and give you a container for your clothes and personal items. You may be asked to remove any false teeth and jewellery. You may be given a sedative (or premed) to make you feel drowsy and relaxed.
The Anaesthetic Nurse will take you into the Operating Theatre. The Anaesthetist and an Anaesthetic Nurse will remain with you throughout your procedure.
For more information About Your Anaesthetic, click here.
Postoperative Instructions
After your procedure it may take you some time to wake up. We will monitor you in Recovery until you are awake and alert enough to be able to get home safely.
We give you written post-operative instructions about what to expect after your procedure. This includes information about pain relief, dressings, wound care and suture removal and resuming activity. You will usually be given a follow-up appointment with your doctor.
Please make arrangements for someone to drive you home and stay with you after your procedure. You WILL NOT be able to drive yourself or travel alone on public transport including a Taxi/Uber if you have had a general anaesthetic or sedation.
A Registered Nurse will call you the next day to make sure you are alright and answer any questions that you have.
Pain Relief
- We will ensure that you have good pain control when you go home. Paracetamol and over-the-counter NSAID medications will relieve mild pain.
- You may be provided with a prescription for stronger pain medication. If so, you should stop at a pharmacy on the way home to have this prescription filled.
- If you have pain that is not controlled by the pain releif you have been given you should contact your doctor.
Resuming Activity
- You can resume normal activity and drive after you have had a normal night’s sleep.
- If you don’t think that you have recovered completely from the anaesthetic, please be sensible and limit your physical activity.
Who should you call if there are problems?
You will be given a follow-up appointment with your treating Doctor. If you have problems and need help (or just advice) try to contact your treating Doctor first. If you can’t reach them, call your General Practitioner or the Emergency Department at your nearest Public hospital.
There is no Emergency Department at Bendigo Day Surgery or at St John of God Hospital Bendigo.
In an Emergency RING 000 and ask for an Ambulance