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.
Arriving at the hospital
When you get to the hospital you will go to the admissions desk and complete some paperwork.
Once this is successfully completed, they will admit you to hospital.
Note: Your healthcare team will ask your name, when you were born, what allergies you have and what operation you are having multiple times. This process of confirming your details may feel repetitive but it is for your own safety, it is not because your team don’t know this information.
Admitted by a nurse
The next stage of being admitted to hospital is usually seeing a nurse.
They will ask you some questions about how you are feeling and when you last had something to eat and drink.
What your healthcare team might ask you:
- What medical conditions you have?
- What medications you are taking?
- When did you last take your medication?
- When did you last eat and drink?
- When did you last drink alcohol, smoke or take illicit drugs?
- Who would you like us to call to update on your surgery?
- Do you live by yourself?
- Will someone be staying with you after surgery?
They will take some measurements such as:
- blood pressure
- temperature
- weight.
This is also a good time to ask your healthcare team any questions you may have.
Questions you might ask your healthcare team:
- When will my contact person be called?
- When can my support person come and visit me?
- Where will I be going after surgery?
- What ward will I be staying on?
- Will I be sharing a room?
- Can I have a medical certificate for my carer and I?
- How long is my surgery going for?
- What type of anaesthetic will I need?
- Will any of the medications I am given today affect my regular medications?
Getting changed for surgery
Once you have been admitted by the nurse they will give you a hospital gown, underwear and a hat to wear while you have surgery.
You will then be placed in an area where you will wait until your surgery is ready to proceed. You may be lying in a bed or sitting in a chair.
Your belongings will be given to the healthcare team while you are in surgery.
Surgical team review
Just before your surgery you may be seen by your surgeon.
They will discuss your plan for surgery and confirm consent to undertake your surgery.
Once again, this is an opportunity for you to ask your surgeon and healthcare team any questions you may have.
Anaesthetist review
Around the time you see your surgical team you will also see your anaesthetist.
They will ask your name, date you were born, allergies and what surgery you are having.
A needle may be put into your arm, to give you medication during your surgery.
If you have any questions for the anaesthetist, you can ask them during this review.
Going to theatre
After you have been reviewed by the healthcare team, you will be moved into the theatre. You may be lying on a bed, trolley or you might walk into the theatre.
Don’t be alarmed if there are lots of people in the theatre, they are there to help the surgeon. There may also be bright lights and equipment the surgeon needs to perform the surgery.
Getting an anaesthetic
Your anaesthetist will give you medication to sedate you (make you feel sleepy) and/or numb the area of your surgery (nerve block).
They will stay with you throughout your surgery to make sure you are safe.
Having surgery
Once you’ve had the anaesthetic, the surgery will begin. The healthcare team will be there to look after you and monitor your vital signs, for example, blood pressure and heart rate.
Recovery area
Once your surgery has finished, specialised nurses will monitor you as you start to wake up from your surgery in the recovery area.
They will monitor your breathing, blood pressure and pain.
After the initial recovery time you may be moved to a second recovery area where you may start eating and drinking again (depending on what your surgeon has recommended).
This might be when your support person is called to be updated on how your surgery went.
Going to a hospital ward or being discharged home
Once the healthcare team are happy you have recovered from the anaesthetic, you will move out of recovery.
If you need more time in hospital, you will move to an inpatient ward. Your healthcare team will get you out of bed and moving so you can get home quickly.
If you are having day surgery, your support person will pick you up and take you home. It is recommended not to drive for at least 24 hours after surgery.
Find out about the next stage of your surgical journey, see After my surgery.