Day Surgery
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What is day surgery?|
Is it safe?
|What would be the advantages for me?
|What to bring into hospital with you
|When you arrive
|Your operation
|What happens after day surgery?
|What will I need at home?
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What is day surgery?
Many patients can now come into hospital, have their operation, and go home on the same day. Back at home they are looked after by relatives or friends, supported by the community healthcare team.
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Is it safe?
Advances in anaesthetics, both local and general and improvements in surgical techniques, make day surgery as safe as staying in hospital. Thousands of operations have been carried out successfully in this way over the past twenty years.
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What would be the advantages for me?
Most operations can be carried out sooner and admission dates are much less likely to be cancelled if you are able to have day surgery.
Many people like to spend as little time as possible in hospital and prefer to be at home with their children, relatives and friends.
There is less disruption to your daily routine, for example childcare is easier to plan and very often you will be back at work sooner.
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What to Bring into Hospital with You
Your completed hospital admission form
Any specimens that you have been asked to provide (eg urine sample).
All medicines that you are taking either on prescription, over-the-counter, herbal or homeopathic remedies or any medicines that you only take when you need to (eg indigestion remedies or painkillers). Please bring all medicines in their original packaging.
Dressing gown and slippers, some toiletries and perhaps something to read. Towels are provided for your use.
A small amount of money to buy items from the hospital shop or for the telephone. There are telephones that accept phone cards on the wards. Mobile phones can interfere with medical equipment and so must be kept switched off whilst you are in hospital. You should not bring large amounts of money or jewellery into hospital. Please note that the hospital cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage howsoever caused to jewellery or personal effects.
With the exception of electric razors you are requested not to bring any electrical appliances in with you for reasons of safety.
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When you arrive
When you first arrive, report to the Day Surgery Unit located just through the main Hospital Reception area.
Although the Ward Sister is responsible for the ward, a 'Named Nurse' will be responsible for your nursing care. Your nurse will be the person who can help reassure you about any problems or worries that you may have.
If you want to discuss any aspects relating to your treatment, your nurse can make arrangements for one of your doctors to see you and, if you so wish, your relatives.
In the majority of cases accommodation is in single sex bays.
Occasionally wards are closed for maintenance or to maximise staff cover and it may be necessary to move you to another ward. Such occasions are rare and will not affect your treatment.
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Your operation
When you arrive on the Day Surgery Unit, your Consultant or Associates Specialist will usually visit you before surgery and ensure you are fully aware of the nature and risks of the planned procedure.
Your Anaesthetist will examine you and discuss your anaesthetic and ensure that any required blood and other tests have been carried out. At this visit there will be an opportunity for you to ask any questions.
The Nursing Staff will be able to answer any other questions you may have regarding your care and prepare you for theatre.
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What happens after day surgery?
You will be advised not to leave the hospital the same day unless it is completely safe for you to do so. A very small number of people have to stay overnight for unforeseen reasons, but this happens only in a minority of cases. If you require extended recovery time you will be admitted to our inpatient ward.
You are expected to arrange for someone to drive you home.
Because of the effects of anaesthetics you are advised NOT to do the following for at least 24 hours after surgery:
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Drive a car, ride a motorbike or bicycle
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Drink alcohol or take sleeping tablets, except on medical advice
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Operate machinery or anything that requires close co-ordination
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Make important decisions or sign legal documents
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What will I need at home?
We are all different, some people may take longer to recover from operations and anaesthetics than others. However you should feel your 'usual self' after a couple of days.
You will be given advice relating to your procedure and how to look after yourself at home, this advice can be shared with your carer as they too will need time off work to be with you at home while you recover.
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