Day Surgery

The Figtree Private Hospital Day Surgery Unit provides a friendly, caring and comfortable environment
for certain operations and procedures that do not require an overnight or extended stay.

Day surgery is a modern concept made possible through new anaesthetic and surgical techniques, reducing your hospital visit to one day or just hours. The highest quality care is maintained with the benefit of being discharged on the same day.

Day surgery effectively reduces anxiety normally associated with undergoing surgical procedures and it is the ideal way to avoid disruption at your work or home.

The style of accommodation has been specifically designed with a short stay in mind. However, if the need arises for you to remain in hospital overnight, you will be transferred to the Surgical (Keira) or Medical (Kembla) wards.

We deliver care by experienced and dedicated staff. Some of the surgery performed includes:

• Urology (cystoscopy, removal of stones, uretoscopy and insertion of stents)
• Gynaecology (dilation and curettage, hysteroscopy, laparoscopy, filche clips and adhesions)
• Gastroenterology (scopes, banding and haemorhhoids)
• Neurosurgery (epidurals and facet joints)
• Orthopaedics (arthroscopy and removal plates/ pins)
• Inguinal hernia
• Plastic surgery (grafts and flaps)
• Varicose veins
• General surgery (vasectomy, lumps and bumps)
• Dental (molars)
• Eye (cataracts and blepharoplasty)
• Carpal tunnel and ganglions
• Ears Nose and Throat - ENT (Laser assisted uruloplastopharingoplasty , and vocal cords)

Prior to coming
Please see here

Preparing for surgery
Please see here

Your stay
When you arrive at the Hospital, you will register at the Day Surgery Unit Reception Desk. In most cases, your admission will have previously been arranged.

If you require a medical certificate upon discharge, please ask the nurse admitting you into Day Surgery.

If you have any questions regarding your procedure and brief stay in hospital, please contact the Pre-Admission Nurse on (02) 4255 5102 or (02) 4255 5053.

Please remember that day surgery is only an option if you have a responsible adult who can accompany you home and continue to be with you through the night.

To enable staff to prepare you adequately for your procedure there may be a waiting time between your admission and procedure time.

There is parking located at the front of the hospital and also in the surrounding streets in Suttor Place and Govett Crescent.

Smoking is not permitted anywhere within the Hospital.

If you have any concerns or queries about your care whilst you are a patient in our Hospital please bring them to our attention. The nurse in charge will be able to answer questions and resolve problems related to your hospital care.

Children often need special support when coming into hospital for surgery. To make children more comfortable it is encouraged that they bring comfort items such as a teddy, blanket and dummy etc. These may accompany the child to theatre and recovery. Please also feel free to bring the child’s special drinking cup or bottle as required at home. In most cases one parent/ caregiver may accompany the child into theatre. Once the child is settled in the recovery unit the parent/ caregiver may sit with the child until he/ she returns to the ward. These options will assist in making your child’s hospital experience more comfortable. For further information please do not hesitate to contact us on (02) 4255 5000.

We request that mobile telephones are not used within the hospital as they may interfere with patient monitoring equipment. Please note that due to the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000 (C’wealth) and the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW), no information can be given by staff over the phone. Information about surgery can only be given by the surgeon in person. We trust you understand this is a legal requirement.

A public telephone is located adjacent to reception.

Post surgery
After your procedure you will be taken to the recovery area. During this time, our nursing staff will continually monitor your progress and comfort.

Your length of stay in the recovery area will depend on your operative procedure. Usually patients are discharged between four and six hours after treatment.

Before you leave the Hospital, our staff will give you full instructions about dressings, medications and follow-up appointments.

Discharge Information
You will be unable to drive home, so please make arrangements for a responsible adult to drive you home.

For the first 24 hours, it is important if you have been given any form of sedation, that you DO NOT:

• Drive a car
• Drink alcohol
• Remain on your own - you must have a responsible adult to stay with you overnight.

Depending on the surgery performed, some patients may experience certain sensations including: nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, visual disturbances and fatigue. These symptoms are normal but should they persist beyond 24 hours, or you have any concerns, contact your doctor immediately or contact the Hospital on the following numbers:

Business hours: (02) 4255 5145
After hours: (02) 4255 5000

Within 48 hours of the procedure, one of the Day Unit’s nursing staff will contact you to enquire about your progress and well-being.