To prepare for your surgery, we recommend the following:
Organise a carer to look after you for 24 hours following your procedure. This means a family member or friend who can collect you from Day Surgery Facility (Wollongong Surgical Center in Randwick or Crows Nest Day Hospital) and stay with you for the next 24 hours. If you do not have a carer you cannot have surgery.
You will be provided with a prescription for pain relief and antibiotics on the day of your surgery. In addition to these medications it is also important to have a supply of Ibuprofen at home, provided you do not have an allergy. Your recovery nurse will discuss this with you and your carer further before you head home.
If your procedure requires x-rays it is essential that we have these on the day of surgery. Often these have been provided to us already and we have them on file, however you may still have your x-ray or scan in your possession – you must make sure to bring it with you on the day of your procedure. If we do not have this we will have to cancel and reschedule your surgery. If you require a new scan please contact us to arrange this.
Do not smoke for at least 24 hours to your procedure and for the 7 days following, as smoking will increase the risk of infection or dry socket.
Payment is due at the time of your admission for surgery. Please make sure to have payment ready for the day. Please note you may need to check with your bank regarding your daily withdrawal limit if paying with EFTPOS, or check with your private health fund to find out how much they will cover of your fee. If you are unable to make payment on the day your surgery will be cancelled. We are unable to submit health fund claims manually, so make sure to bring your private health fund card on the day of your admission to take advantage of our Hicaps facilities.
It is important to use ice packs following a dental extraction. Please have ice packs at home ready to use, or if you are travelling from interstate bring some ice packs with you to use on the trip home. They are useful for at least the first 12 to 24 hours following surgery.
We suggest you have your food organised at home. Following surgery we recommend soft food for a number of days, and soft, cold food for the first 24 hour period. Having some meals prepared at home will help in the recovery period.
On your day of surgery, please leave jewellery at home and remove any nail polish. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and fully enclosed shoes. You will be given a hospital gown and hospital booties to wear over your clothes in theatre.
We do have designated car parking at the rear of Wollongong Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery for our patients. Please use the driveway to the left hand side of the building to access the car park. There is a rear entry door into the building as well.
Read through the information you were provided with at the time of booking your surgery, and if you have any other questions please feel free to contact us to discuss.
