Preparing for my surgery in the months before
In the lead up to your surgery, you can do things to help your mind and body get ready for surgery.
The following information will help to speed up your recovery from surgery, it will also help you to prepare for your discharge from hospital back home.
After my surgery
As soon as your surgery finishes your recovery begins – your recovery starts in hospital and you will continue to recover at home.
I’ve decided to have surgery
Now you’ve decided to have surgery, it’s important to start preparing yourself in the months leading up to it. Here’s what you can do during this next stage of your journey.
Do I need surgery
Before deciding to have surgery, it’s important to understand the risks of surgery and what non-surgical and surgical options are available to you. This information will help guide these discussions with your healthcare team in this first stage in your journey.
I’m ready to go home
Once you and your healthcare team agree you are ready to go home, and the planning for this has occurred, you will be discharged from hospital.
It is often recommended not to drive for at least 24 hours after surgery. For some surgeries, you may not be able to drive until you have fully recovered. You should arrange for someone to drive you home if you are being discharged from hospital within 24 hours after you’ve had surgery.
My recovery in hospital
What happens after my surgery?
Depending on the type of surgery you have, you may be able to go home on the same day of your surgery or you may be required to spend some time in hospital.
On the day of, or day after surgery, your healthcare team might encourage you to complete some tasks to help you recover faster. These tasks may include:
Day of my surgery
It is common to feel nervous on the day of surgery. This page will walk you through what to expect, from when you arrive at hospital until after your surgery.
If you are unsure of anything, there will be opportunities to ask questions at each stage during your day of surgery.
The following information steps you through what typically happens on the day of surgery however, each hospital may have a different order of doing things.