Preparing for your procedure

Before your procedure

Referral and consultation

Your procedure is booked by your doctor after a consultation. For cosmetic surgery, you’ll need a referral from your GP before your first consultation, and there’s a cooling-off period of at least seven days after you give consent before you can book or pay.

Is day surgery right for you?

Day surgery isn’t suitable for everyone. Your doctor will assess whether it’s safe for you. Under our patient selection policy, we’re unable to admit people who:

• are under 18 years of age
• weigh more than 110 kg or have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or more
• have significant medical conditions that make day surgery less safe, including obstructive sleep apnoea
• have an active or suspected infectious disease
• are expected to need a procedure lasting more than two hours, or a prolonged recovery
• can’t walk independently
• don’t have a support person to take them home, when their doctor says one is needed
• live outside Victoria, unless they’ll stay locally for at least three days after their procedure.

Other medical, medication or bleeding-risk factors may also mean day surgery isn’t the right setting. Your doctor will discuss this with you.

Your health and medications

Tell your doctor about all the medications you take, including blood thinners, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements, as well as any allergies and medical conditions. Don’t stop taking any medication unless your doctor or GP advises you to.

If you smoke, your doctor may recommend stopping before and after your procedure, as smoking slows healing.

Arranging support

If you’re having sedation, you must arrange for a responsible adult to take you home. You won’t be able to drive yourself. It’s also a good idea to have someone stay with you for the first night.

Costs and health insurance

Informed financial consent

Before your procedure, you’ll receive an estimate of the costs involved, including your doctor’s fee and our facility fee, so you can make an informed decision. Please ask us if anything is unclear.

Medicare and private health insurance

Medicare and private health insurance may contribute to the cost of procedures that are medically necessary, such as skin cancer surgery, and some eyelid and gynaecomastia surgery when clinical criteria are met. Procedures performed for cosmetic reasons aren’t covered.

Ask your doctor for the Medicare item numbers for your procedure, then check with your health fund about your level of cover, any excess and any waiting periods.

On the day

Eating and drinking

We’ll give you instructions about eating and drinking before your procedure. Please follow them closely, particularly if you’re having sedation.

What to bring

• Your Medicare card, health fund card and any Department of Veterans’ Affairs card
• A list of your current medications, or the medications themselves in their original packaging
• Any forms or paperwork you’ve been asked to complete
• Your glasses or contact lens case, if you wear them
• The name and phone number of the person collecting you

What to wear

Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes that are easy to take on and off. Please leave jewellery and valuables at home, and remove make-up and nail polish if you’re asked to.

When you arrive

Please arrive at the time you’ve been given. A nurse will admit you, check your details and consent, and answer any questions. After your procedure, our nurses will monitor you as you recover until you’re ready to go home.

After your procedure

You’ll go home the same day with written aftercare instructions, including how to look after your wound and who to contact if you have concerns. Your doctor will arrange your follow-up appointment.

When to seek help

Contact your doctor promptly if you notice:

• bleeding that doesn’t stop with gentle pressure
• increasing pain, swelling or redness
• discharge or an unpleasant smell from the wound
• a fever, or feeling generally unwell.

In an emergency, call 000.

Your rights

Everyone who receives care at Templestowe Day Surgery has rights under the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights, including the right to access, safety, respect, partnership, information, privacy and to give feedback.

• Shared decisions. You and your carers are involved in decisions about your care, and you’ll receive written information before and after your procedure.
• Interpreters. If you need an interpreter, let us know when you book. The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) is available on 131 450.
• Privacy. We protect your personal and health information. Read our privacy policy.

Feedback and complaints

Your feedback helps us improve. After your visit, we may ask you to complete a short patient experience survey. You can also share a compliment or concern at any time:

• Patient satisfaction survey
• Complaints and compliments form
• Phone our office on (03) 8822 3472

If you’re not satisfied with our response, you can contact the Victorian Health Complaints Commissioner on 1300 582 113.

Common questions

Do you offer general anaesthetic?

No. Procedures at our centre are performed under local or tumescent anaesthesia, with or without light sedation.

Can I drive home after my procedure?

Not if you’ve had sedation. You’ll need a responsible adult to take you home. If you’ve only had local anaesthetic, your doctor will advise whether it’s safe for you to drive.

Can I book directly with Templestowe Day Surgery?

Procedures are booked by your doctor after a consultation. If you’d like to know which doctors operate at our centre, please contact our office.

Will my health fund cover my procedure?

It depends on the procedure, the reason it’s being performed and your level of cover. Ask your doctor for the Medicare item numbers, then check with your fund.

What if I need to cancel or reschedule?

Please contact your doctor’s rooms and our office as early as possible.