Safer Care Victoria

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.

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.

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. 

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:

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. 

Most people will find out the date of their surgery at least 7 days before it is scheduled. This is a good time to consider the things you need to plan for immediately before your surgery. 

It is very important you tell your hospital if you are feeling unwell in the 3 days before your surgery. Find out more under the ‘3 days before’ on this page.

If you have questions or concerns about your surgery date or your circumstances change, please speak with your healthcare team as soon as possible. 

Hospital has cancelled my surgery

Hospitals try to keep all their surgery appointments but sometimes they may need to postpone or cancel your surgery. Common reasons include:

• an emergency surgery has taken priority over your scheduled surgery
• lack of beds in the hospital
• the surgeon is no longer available. 

The hospital will call and explain if your surgery is cancelled.

Before having surgery, it’s important to prepare for your recovery and discharge home. The longer you spend in hospital the more planning you may need to do. 

Some examples of planning ahead might be:

• arranging someone to look after your pets while you’re in hospital
• having someone stay with you when you get home. 

It’s also important to find out how long you will be in hospital and what your discharge options are. 

Staying active and eating well before your surgery will help your recovery. 

Book a GP appointment in the months before your surgery if you have other health conditions that need management

Speak to your healthcare team about your surgery options, if you are: 

Being actively involved in your healthcare and working in partnership with your healthcare team can help ensure that you get the care that is right for you.

What is shared decision making?

Shared decision making is when you discuss your health and treatment options with your healthcare team and decide on a treatment plan together. This process allows you to ask questions and weigh up your options so that you can make a decision you are happy with.