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The Royal Womens Hospital Return to The Women's Hospital

Your Elective Surgery

It is important to us that your surgery goes well. To prepare, please read the information below. You can contact us if you have any questions. You can find contact numbers and support services at the bottom of the page.

On this page
Before you come to hospital
On the day of your procedure
Going home after your procedure
Contact numbers
Patients & visitor information
Support services

Before you come to hospital

Important information

  • If you get a cough or fever in the week before your surgery, please contact the Elective Surgery Bookings Office on (03) 8345 3335.
  • Your admission time is not the same as your procedure time. We can tell you if your surgery will be in the morning or afternoon.
  • Please let staff know if you need an interpreter.
  • Stop smoking at least 12 hours before your procedure.
  • We recommend leaving valuables at home. Only bring in essentials and do not bring in large sums of money.

Do you need to fast?

We will let you know by text message whether you need to fast. You will receive this text the day before your procedure. If your surgery is on a Monday, we will let you know the Friday before.

The day before your procedure

The Day Surgery Unit will call you before noon the day before your planned admission date. This will be on a Friday if your surgery is on a Monday. The Day Surgery Unit is not open on weekends.

On the day of your procedure

Getting ready

  • Have a shower on the morning of your surgery
  • Wear comfortable clothes and shoes
  • Bring a mobile phone or book as there will be a wait before your procedure
  • Before your procedure you will need to remove:
    • all jewellery, rings and piercings
    • nail polish
    • make up
    • contact lenses.
  • Please leave valuables at home

Please bring with you 

  • your Medicare card, Health Care card and Private Health Insurance card (if you have one)
  • any medicines you are taking (including herbal medicines or vitamins)
  • a mobile phone or book as there will be a wait before your procedure
  • glasses (if you wear them)
  • a small, zip up bag for your clothes and other items
  • a reusable water bottle –staff will refill it with filtered water.

Where should you go when you arrive?

We will tell you where to come to be admitted for surgery. It will be one of the following places:

  • Day Surgery Unit (level 3)
  • Ward 5 North (admission via Women’s Emergency Centre on lower ground)
  • Day Procedure Centre (level 5).

If you are unsure where to go, please call the Elective Surgery Booking Office on (03) 8345 3335.

What to expect when you arrive

  • A clerical team member will admit you.
  • Your nurse will then see you and prepare you for surgery.
  • You will then see your anaesthetist and doctor.
  • You will walk into the procedure room.
  • After the procedure you will rest in the recovery area on a trolley.
  • If you are having day surgery, you will get dressed and sit in a comfortable recliner chair. We will offer you a light refreshment.
  • If you are staying the night, the ward nurse will collect you from recovery and take you to the ward.

Depending on the last day of your period, you may need a pregnancy test when you arrive for your procedure. If you have your period, your procedure can still go ahead.

Support, friends or relatives

Your support person, friend or relatives are welcome to stay at the hospital during your stay. Visitors are not permitted into the admission and recovery areas.

Please note, there is not a lot of space in the waiting room. Your support person can spend time in the retail precinct or in the Welcome Centre on the ground floor.

Going home after your procedure

If you have a general anaesthetic (a procedure where you are asleep)

  • You cannot drive after having a general anaesthetic. You will need a responsible adult to take you home. You will also need a responsible adult to stay with you overnight.
  • If you are staying in hospital overnight, you should be able to leave around 9:30 am. There are also afternoon check-out times for some maternity (3:30 pm onwards) and gynaecology and cancer services (4:00 pm onwards).
    • Please have someone ready to pick you up before these times.
    • They will need to collect you from the ward.
  • You can collect any medications ordered by the hospital from the Royal Women's Hospital Pharmacy on level 1. You must pay for all medications on the day.
  • If you are having day surgery, collection will be from the Day Surgery Unit on level 3.

If you have a local anaesthetic (a procedure where you are awake)

  • You can expect to leave the hospital about an hour after your procedure.
  • You do not need someone to take you home. You can walk/drive/take public transport as normal.

Caring for yourself at home

Follow the instructions on the sheet that we will give you at your appointment. We will let you know if you need to return for a follow-up appointment.

Contact numbers

For questions about elective surgery bookings (e.g. to check or change the date), please contact:

Elective Surgery Booking Office:
Call: (03) 8345 3335
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8.00 am – 4.30 pm

For questions about admissions/fasting, or to let us know you are unwell or can’t come on the day, please contact:

Day Surgery Unit:
Call: (03) 8345 3300
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 6.30 am – 7.00 pm

Patients & visitor information

Find everything you need to know to help make your visit to the hospital as smooth, safe and comfortable as possible, whether you’re coming as a patient or supporting someone in your care.

Support services

A range of support services is available during your visit to ensure you and your loved ones feel informed, supported and cared for every step of the way.