Preparing for surgery

If you are facing potential surgery, there are many things you can do to prepare.

The following information will guide you through the stages of a typical surgical journey in Victoria.

Deciding if you should have surgery or not

Surgery is not right for everyone. You have the right to make your own decisions about your care, guided by the advice of health professionals.

Once you find out you may need surgery, it's important you talk to your healthcare team about your treatment options and decide together about your treatment plan. Make sure you fully understand your treatment options so you can consider the benefits and risks before you agree to any treatment.

To find out more about this stage, see Do I need surgery? in My Surgical Journey on the Safer Care Victoria website.

You've decided to have surgery

If you decide to have surgery, staying active and eating well in the months before will help your recovery.

Book a GP appointment in the months before your surgery if you have other health conditions that need management.

Speak to your healthcare team about your surgery options if you are:

• over 65 years old
• not very active
• needing help with daily tasks
• losing your balance easily or have fallen over before
• having difficulty with memory and thinking.

For more information about how to prepare for your surgery to get the best outcome, see Getting ready for surgery and my recovery in My Surgical Journey on the Safer Care Victoria website.

Consenting to treatment

If you choose to go ahead with treatment, you will be asked to give your informed consent. This means that you understand your condition and any proposed treatment. Once you have all the information you need, the doctor will ask you to sign a consent form.

Before signing this consent form, it is your doctor's responsibility to clearly explain any information that relates to your medical condition and treatment, so you can make an informed decision.

It is your responsibility to make sure you understand the risks by asking as many questions as you need to. You can refuse or withdraw your consent at any time before the surgery.

If you are still unsure about the treatment options presented to you, you have the right to get a second opinion from another healthcare professional.

You've been given your surgery date

Once you have your surgery date, there are certain things you should do to prepare, especially in the week leading up to surgery.

To find out more, see I've been given my surgery date in My Surgical Journey on the Safer Care Victoria.

Surgery cancellation

There are common reasons for your surgery to be cancelled. They include:

• the hospital has cancelled your surgery
• your circumstances have changed
• fasting incorrectly
• medications not stopped at the right time.

For more information, see Surgery cancellation in My Surgical Journey on Safer Care Victoria.

Day of your surgery

It is common to feel nervous on the day of surgery. If you are unsure of anything, there will be opportunities to ask questions at each stage during your day of surgery.

While each hospital may have a different order of doing things, to find out more about what typically happens see Day of my surgery in My Surgical Journey on the Safer Care Victoria website.

You're ready to go home

As soon as your surgery finishes your recovery begins; your recovery starts in hospital and will continue at home.

Depending on the type of surgery you have, you may be able to go home on the same day of your surgery or you may be required to spend some time in hospital.

To find out more about your recovery after surgery, both in hospital and at home, see After my surgery in My Surgical Journey on the Safer Care Victoria website.