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Day Surgery

What is a Day Procedure?

A day procedure is an investigation, operation, or treatment performed without necessitating an overnight stay in hospital.

What features are offered to the Patient of a day surgery centre?

  • Non-hospitalisation
  • Major cost-savings

A facility that sets new and superior standards in efficiency, comfort and convenience.

Is the facility available to patients who are not members of a private health fund?

Brighton Plastic Surgery Centre is available to all patients. For patients without private health insurance, the facility still offers benefits both in terms of time and money. In the first instance, a surgical procedure can be performed when deemed necessary and without the delay of waiting lists. In the second instance, economic disadvantages are avoided by returning the patient quickly to the workforce without incurring increased hospitalisation costs.

Preparing for Day Surgery

The week before

Please ensure that your patient registration form is sent to Brighton Plastic Surgery at least 48 hours before your procedure.

Please check with the doctor performing the procedure about which of your medications can be taken on the day of attending. (Medications may be taken on the morning of procedure with a sip of water)

The day before

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Ensure that you have collected any documentation that you need to bring, such as x-rays; current medications; referral letters; health insurance details; Medicare card; Veterans Affairs details; Pharmaceutical entitlement number; full/part pension number; all WorkCare or TAC information including employer's details and claim number.

DO NOT SMOKE FOR AT LEAST 12 HOURS before attending.

For procedures booked before midday, DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING AFTER MIDNIGHT. This is for your own safety during the procedure.

You will be required to telephone the office on this day after 3 pm to obtain your admission time - Ph: (03) 9592 0522

On the day of your procedure:

For procedures booked after midday, DO NOT EAT OR DRINK AFTER 6AM ON THAT DAY. This is for your own safety during the procedure.

  • Take the medications that you have been told that you can take with a small sip of water.
  • Wear comfortable loose fitting clothing and comfortable shoes or slippers. No pyjamas or gowns are needed, as all necessary clothing will be supplied. (Children may wear their own pyjamas.)
  • Leave any jewellery or valuables at home, as we cannot be responsible for them.
  • Please arrive punctually. If you are delayed for some reason, please call the Centre on (03) 9592 0522.
  • On arrival, go directly to the Reception Desk where you will be received and your registration completed. The nurse will take your medical details.

The Anaesthetic (other than local anaesthetics)

This will be given by a qualified medical specialist.

Your anaesthetist will question and examine you pre-operatively to assess:

  • Your overall medical history.
  • Any anaesthetic problems you or your family may have had.
  • Drug allergies.
  • Current illnesses or infections, and
  • Medicines, tablets or drugs that you are presently taking. Please bring the bottles or a list of the drugs you have taken in the last month.

Your anaesthetist will choose and administer the appropriate type of post-anaesthetic care until you are fit to go home.

Post-Operative Period

You may feel slightly drowsy for a short time after the procedure. AN ADULT MUST ACCOMPANY YOU HOME AND STAY WITH YOU OVERNIGHT. For the next 24 hours, a small amount of anaesthetic may still be circulating in your body, therefore YOU MUST NOT:

  • Drive a vehicle.
  • Operate machinery.
  • Drink alcohol.
  • Take sedatives unless prescribed.
  • Sign any important legal documents during this period.

On leaving, you will receive instructions for after-care with advice on activity, bathing and dressing, who to contact if problems develop, and a follow-up treatment if appropriate. Remember, if any difficulties arise, contact the Surgery Centre on (03) 9592 0522.

What nursing services are provided to patients after their procedure?

Brighton Plastic Surgery Centre provides Domicillary Nursing for all patients after their procedure. This includes a telephone call from a nurse to ensure that you are comfortable during the evening of your surgery. You are also given a contact number for the nursing service if you have any problems or questions after the surgery. If you have any questions specifically for the specialist or the anaesthetist the nurse is able to contact them on your behalf.

[Please click here to download our day surgery brochure (PDF)]