​Ryde Hospital offers day surgery in the perioperative unit if you and your doctor decide you do not need to stay in hospital overnight.

The following information is provided to ensure you are prepared for your day surgery.
 

On the day of your surgery

Please enter Ryde Hospital at the main entrance and present to the counter. The booking clerk will call your name and admit all patients. It is important that you arrive at your specified time. All your paperwork will be checked and signatures may be required.

 

Before surgery - you will need to:

Fast (no eating or drinking):

• If your surgery is to take place before midday, do not eat or drink after midnight the night prior. 
  
• If your surgery is to take place after midday, do not eat or drink after 6:00am.
  

No eating or drinking means no water, lollies or chewing gum. This is important whether you are having local or general anaesthetic.

Certain procedures require special preparations (e.g. colonoscopy), so please ensure that you follow instructions correctly.

Children may find it particularly difficult to fast so parents should watch them carefully.

 

Taking medication

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue to take your medications with a sip of water only.

If you take drugs for arthritis, drugs that thin your blood, aspirin or diabetic medication, you must inform your treating doctor at the time of planning your day surgery procedure. These medications often require modification prior to surgery.

 

Getting to and from the hospital

Before you come to hospital make sure you have arranged for a friend or relative to take you home after your operation. They, or another adult, must stay with you overnight.

If necessary you can take a taxi home but you must be accompanied by another adult.

Friends and relatives of patients will be advised on the day approximately what time you will be ready to go home. Please ask them to ring the perioperative unit on (02) 9858 7178 or (02) 9858 7170 to confirm the time they are collecting you.

 

What to wear

Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Do not wear nail polish, make-up, any jewellery or high-heeled shoes. If you are having cataract surgery, please wear a shirt that has buttons down the front.

 

Piercings

Please remove tongue studs prior to presenting at Ryde Hospital. Belly-button studs and rings must be removed if you are having abdominal surgery (key-hole or open).

 

What to bring

On the day of your surgery please bring:

• All relevant tests results, x-rays, ultrasounds and scans
• Your Medicare card or health fund card
• Any medication you take
  

 

What not to bring

We advise patients not to bring valuables, jewellery, money or mobile phones. Patients are able to safely store small items only. If family or friends need to contact you they can call the perioperative unit on (02) 9858 7178 or (02) 9858 7170.

 

Medicare and private health insurance

Ryde Hospital accommodates patients who choose to be treated as Medicare patients and those who choose to be treated as a private patient within a public hospital.

Using private health insurance as an inpatient at Ryde Hospital enables the patient to choose their doctor, request a private room (if available) and access free television. 

To find out more about the terms and conditions, please contact the patient liaison officer on (02) 9858 7753 or Bethania.DuarteVitt@health.nsw.gov.au. 

If you feel unwell before your surgery date

If you feel unwell prior to surgery, please let your doctor know or contact the admissions department on (02) 9858 7888 or the perioperative unit on (02) 9858 7555.

 

Smoking

We recommend you stop smoking at least three weeks (ideally eight) before your surgery. 

For help to quit smoking speak with your GP, call the Quitline, or visit www.icanquit.com.au.   

Quitlines:

English: 13 7848
Arabic: 1300 7848 03
Chinese: 1300 7848 36
Vietnamese: 1300 7848 65
Korean: 1300 7848 23

 

There is no smoking allowed anywhere on hospital grounds.
Individuals found to be smoking while on hospital grounds may be fined $300.

 

Before your surgery

Please arrive on time so necessary preparations are not rushed. There is a comfortable waiting area.

When you arrive staff will:

• Assist you to complete any necessary paperwork.
  
• Measure your blood pressure and weight and request a urine sample where necessary.
  
• Check all your details and apply an identification band.
  

An anaesthetist will usually visit you before your surgery and give you a medical examination. For your own safety your operation may be cancelled if it is decided at this point that you are not well enough to undergo surgery.

Occasionally due to unforeseen circumstances, operating theatres may be delayed or cancelled. This does not happen often, but from time to time you may have a slightly longer wait or possibly be re-booked at the earliest possible time.

 

After surgery

After your operation you will be taken to the recovery room and then the perioperative unit. It will usually take a minimum of two hours to recover, depending on your operation. The anaesthetic will affect you for the next 24 hours.

You will be offered pain relief and medication for nausea if required.

Before you are discharged from hospital you will be given instructions from staff and your doctor about what to do after your operation.

For the next 24 hours after your operation you must not:

• Drive a car
• Operate heavy machinery
• Drink alcohol
• Sign important documents​