Understanding your surgical journey

Preparing your body and mind before surgery helps set you up for a quicker recovery and the best outcomes.

Whether you are a patient at Fiona Stanley Hospital or Fremantle Hospital, the following information outlines what you need to understand and do throughout the different stages of your surgical journey. These include:

  • an appointment with your surgeon
  • an pre-surgery outpatient appointment
  • pre-surgical preparation such as tests and adopting healthy lifestyle habits
  • preparing your home for your return
  • the surgery itself
  • your hospital recovery and discharge home.

Understanding where you may receive care

All of our hospitals work together. As a result, you may receive your health care at more than one hospital. For example, you may receive your initial surgery at a tertiary hospital and your follow-up care at another SMHS hospital.

Your admission letter will include:

  • the name of your surgery
  • the date of your surgery
  • what time you will be admitted to hospital
  • when to stop eating and drinking clear fluids (also known as fasting).

If you have lost your admission letter and are a patient at:

  • Fiona Stanley Hospital, please phone the Fiona Stanley Hospital Helpdesk on 6152 2222 and ask for the Elective Waitlist Service
  • Fremantle Hospital, please phone the Fremantle Hospital switchboard on 9431 3333 and ask for the Waitlist Office.

Your surgeon will talk with you about your surgery and any tests you may need to undertake.

If required, your surgeon may refer you for:

  • blood and other pathology tests
  • medical imaging such as x-rays and scans
  • an exercise test
  • other tests as required
  • counselling if you are undergoing complex surgery
  • an appointment with a geriatrician (aged care specialist) if your surgeon is concerned about your memory, as this can affect your recovery.

Your surgeon will also ask whether you have discussed your surgery with your family, as you may need physical and emotional support during your journey.

Be in the best health possible before your surgery

Watch these short videos on simple health and wellbeing lifestyle changes to support your future recovery.

Before your surgery you will have a pre-admission outpatient appointment.

If you are a:

  • Fiona Stanley Hospital patient, this appointment will be with the Anaesthetic Pre-Operative Clinic (APOC)
  • Fremantle Hospital patient, this appointment will be with the Pre-Admission Clinic.

You will be seen by a number of healthcare professionals including medical and nursing staff, anaesthetists and pharmacists to discuss:

As your surgery date gets closer, it is important that you can confidently answer the following questions.

Please check if you can answer Yes to the following statements:

  • I have met my surgeon and know what operation I am having.
  • I understand the risks and complications of my surgery, including anaesthetic.
  • I know the date of my operation, when to arrive at the hospital and where to go.
  • I understand the fasting instructions.
  • I know what medications I need to stop before my surgery, and when to stop them.
  • I am making healthy lifestyle choices to optimise my health and support my recovery.
  • I know how long I am likely to be in hospital.
  • I understand I will be informed immediately if the date of my surgery changes.
  • I have completed all tests requested by the surgeon for my surgery to proceed.
  • My home is prepared for my return after surgery (read more information in the next section).
  • I have organised how to get home from hospital.
  • When I return home I have support from family or carers and access to the equipment I need.

If you cannot answer Yes to any of the statements above and are a patient at:

  • Fiona Stanley Hospital, please phone the Helpdesk on 6152 2222 and ask to speak with the APOC Clinic for more information
  • Fremantle Hospital, please phone the switchboard on 9431 3333 and ask to speak with the Pre-Admission Clinic for more information.

Prepare your home for your return

To support your recovery, it is important to prepare yourself and your home for when you return home after surgery.

  • To reduce the risk of falls, clear trip hazards and reduce clutter in your home.
  • Ensure you or a family member ‘spring cleans’ your house and garden so you won’t worry if you can’t manage these tasks for a while after surgery.
  • Cook and freeze some meals so you can eat healthy while you recover.
  • Place kitchen and bathrooms items you use regularly within easy reach.
  • Organise for your family, friends or carers visit and help you if needed when you return home.

Depending on your surgery, an occupational therapist may see you before and after your surgery to discuss:

  • how you manage daily activities at home
  • your home environment
  • what support you have at home.

This helps you, your family and carers and your treating team to identify potential issues and plan additional support required after your operation.

Before coming to hospital

Read about being admitted to hospital and learn more about:

  • what to bring, including your medications
  • how to make your hospital stay safer.

Be sure to follow the fasting instructions provided in your admission letter.

If you have any questions and are a Fiona Stanley Hospital patient, please phone 6152 2222 the Day of Surgery Admissions team between 6.00am – 2.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Your hospital admission

You will be admitted by a nurse who will ask you a series of questions.

You will also be asked to confirm your consent to proceed with the surgery.

Read more about your hospital admission.

After your surgery

Depending on what surgery you had you may wake up in a recovery ward or the intensive care unit (ICU). If you are in recovery, you will be taken to your ward once you are ready.

You will be given anti-nausea and pain relief medication as required as well as your usual medications.

As soon as possible after you have recovered from your anaesthetic:

  • your allied health team or nurse will help you get up out of bed and start walking to reduce your risk of a lung infection (pneumonia) after surgery – you should also do the aCOUGH breathing exercises.
  • do regular leg exercises in bed or in your chair as often as possible to prevent blood clots and pressure sores developing and promote bowel function.

It is also important to:

  • wear your own comfortable clothes and hearing aids and glasses
  • take medications as advised by your treating team
  • ask for help if you feel dizzy or unsteady to reduce your risk of falling
  • eat healthy food to support healing and build up your strength
  • drink plenty of water.

Depending on the type of surgery and how you are recovering, you may also be reviewed by:

  • an occupational therapist who will check how you are managing everyday activities, review your home environment and supports to help plan for your discharge
  • a physiotherapist who will check how you are moving and walking. Once you have can demonstrated good walking and movement techniques and understanding, the physiotherapist will give you a printed handout or write down your exercises you can continue independently.

A doctor will also visit shortly after your surgery or the next day to discuss your surgery.

Read more about what to expect during your hospital stay.

It is important you, your family and carers understand what is required for you to return home safely and of any after-care that may be required.

If you think you will need support at home, please talk to our staff early so we can arrange the required support ahead of time.

Before you return home, you should be able to answer the following questions:

  • When do I start my exercises?
  • When can I resume daily living activities?
  • How do I care for any wounds I may have?
  • Do I have any medications to take home?
  • Do I need to take any equipment home?
  • Do I have any follow up appointments or procedures?
  • Have all my own medications and valuables been returned?
  • Who can I contact if I have questions after discharge?
  • Where do I go in an emergency?

If you cannot answer any of the questions above, please talk about these with your ward nurse.

Read more about preparing to go home after your surgery.

We encourage you to ask your treating team for more information about any concerns you may have at any time during your surgical journey.

Be LifeFit-SurgFit

Learn more about how preparing your body and your mind before surgery through LifeFit-SurgFit can set you up for the best outcome and a quicker recovery.

More information

Find out more about being a patient or return to For patients and visitors.

 

Last Updated: 16/07/2024