Day of Procedure

Unless your doctor advises you otherwise, it is important to follow our guidelines below on the day of surgery.

Fasting

Fasting requirements can vary between procedures and are particularly important for patients undergoing a general anaesthetic. Our staff will let you know a day or two before your procedure how long you need to fast for.

• If your surgery is scheduled for the morning, do not eat or drink anything after midnight.
• If it is scheduled for the afternoon, you can have a light breakfast and fluids before 06:00am.

Smoking

Do not smoke on the day of surgery.

Please note the Melbourne IVF Procedure Centra is a smoke-free environment in line with Victorian Health Department Legislation.

• To minimise the risk of infection, we ask that you shower on the day of your surgery.
• Brush your teeth but be careful not to swallow any water.
• All nail polish should be removed and make up or perfume should not be applied.
• You may not be allowed to wear contact lenses during surgery, so remember to bring your lens case for safe storage.
• Please leave valuables including jewellery at home, as the Melbourne IVF Procedure Centre will not be responsible for any loss.
• Wear comfortable clothes that are easy to change in and out of.
• Bring any relevant scans, x-rays or test results with you, as well as Medicare and private health fund cards and original admission forms.

Special instructions for medical conditions

• If you are on regular medications, check with your doctor – it’s normally fine to take them on the day of your surgery with a small sip of water.
• If you are taking blood thinners, you must stop ten days before surgery.
• Diabetics should not take insulin or oral hypoglycaemics on the morning of surgery, but these can be taken after the procedure is complete, so please feel free to bring them with you.

After a general anaesthetic, for your safety, you must have an escort to accompany you home, and a responsible adult must stay with you overnight. If these cannot be organised, please contact the procedure centre at least two days prior to your admission to discuss your discharge plan with one of our registered nurses. We can assess your scenario and liaise with your specialist/anaesthetist, and they can assist with discharge planning. If you do not have an escort, or overnight carer, then your procedure may be cancelled.

If you can’t arrange an escort, please contact our admissions staff who can put you in touch with a nursing agency. The agency can arrange for someone to act as your escort. This will incur a charge that is payable by you directly to them.

For children under 10 – Arrange two escorts. If driving home, you must arrange for a child under 10 years old to have two responsible people present in the vehicle (a driver and a carer).

The Melbourne IVF Procedure Centre can organise an interpreter to help you better understand everything on the day of your surgery. Please contact us a few days before your admission to advise us if this is a service you require.

Please visit reception where you will be welcomed and promptly checked in by our friendly admissions team. Our team will settle any final paperwork or accounts and let you know your expected length of stay and discharge time.

After your surgery, you’ll be taken to the Recovery Area where our nurses will observe your recovery from the anaesthesia. It is possible to feel drowsy, or have some pain, but this won’t last long. Our Recovery Room nurses will contact your escort with an estimated discharge time.

You’ll be offered something to eat and drink before being going home and we’ll also provide written and verbal discharge instructions. Your escort will need to come in and collect you from the Melbourne IVF Procedure Centre.

Find out more about what to do after your procedure.