Surgery Information
Everything you need to know before, during and after your surgery at Sydney Spine Institute.
Preparing for Surgery
Practical steps to complete before your procedure and recovery.
What to bring to hospital
A simple checklist for admission
- Medicare card
- Private health insurance card
- Relevant imaging
- Current medications (in their original packaging where possible)
- Comfortable clothing and footwear
- Personal toiletries (if staying overnight)
Do not bring valuables or large amounts of cash.
Your Hospital Stay
What to expect before admission
Key information about hospital selection, admission timing and the expected length of your stay.
Professor van Gelder will discuss the most appropriate hospital based on your procedure and individual circumstances.
The hospital will contact you the day before surgery, between 4-8pm, with your admission time and fasting instructions.
The length of stay depends on your procedure, overall health and recovery. Your surgeon will discuss the expected duration during your consultation.
RECOVERY AFTER SURGERY
Your recovery pathway
Guidance for managing discomfort, caring for your wound and returning safely to activity.
Some discomfort after surgery is expected. Your treating team will provide appropriate pain relief and instructions before you leave hospital.
You'll receive instructions on caring for your wound, showering and recognising signs of infection.
Walking is usually encouraged soon after surgery.
Restrictions regarding lifting, driving and returning to normal activities vary depending on your procedure.
Many patients benefit from physiotherapy and rehabilitation following spinal surgery.
Your surgeon will recommend when to commence rehabilitation and whether referral to our Spine Physiotherapy or Exercise Physiology services is appropriate.
Your post-operative review appointments are usually arranged before your surgery.
Additional imaging may be required depending on your procedure and recovery.
Public Hospital Surgery
Understanding the public hospital process
Patients undergoing surgery through the NSW public hospital system should be aware that waiting lists, admissions and operating theatre scheduling are managed by the hospital, not Sydney Spine Institute.
Waiting times are determined by the treating hospital in accordance with NSW Health policies.
Your surgeon recommends the need for surgery and provides the clinical information supporting your case. The hospital then assigns a clinical priority category based on NSW Health criteria.
Individual surgeons cannot independently alter waiting list priority unless your clinical condition changes and the revised priority is supported by the hospital's classification criteria.
Unfortunately, planned operations may occasionally be cancelled, sometimes at very short notice.
The most common reason is that emergency or more urgent cases require access to the operating theatre.
Although we understand this can be disappointing and frustrating, these decisions are made by the hospital based on clinical need and theatre availability.
Sydney Spine Institute is not involved in these scheduling decisions and is unable to influence operating theatre allocation.
Questions regarding:
- Waiting times
- Admission dates
- Cancelled operations
- Public hospital waiting lists
- Hospital bookings
should be directed to the Admissions Department at your treating hospital.
Concord Repatriation General Hospital
Admissions Department
Phone: (02) 9767 6855
Liverpool Hospital
Admissions & Pre-admissions Department
Phone: (02) 8738 3857
Please note: Sydney Spine Institute does not have access to public hospital waiting lists or operating theatre schedules and is therefore unable to provide updates regarding surgery dates or cancellations.
Public hospital surgery is provided within a teaching hospital environment.
The surgeon you were admitted under may not perform every part of your operation.
Senior surgeons have an obligation to supervise and train surgical trainees as part of the NSW public health system.
Patients who choose to be treated privately, including privately insured patients undergoing surgery in a public hospital, are able to nominate their treating surgeon.
However, hospital waiting lists, theatre availability and hospital scheduling processes still apply. Private status does not influence waiting times in any way.
When Should I Seek Urgent Medical Attention?
Know the Warning Signs
Seek urgent medical advice if you experience:
- Fever or chills
- Increasing wound redness, swelling or discharge
- Severe or worsening pain that is not controlled with medication
- New weakness or numbness
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Chest pain or difficulty breathing
For emergencies, call 000 or attend your nearest Emergency Department.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common questions before and after surgery
Expand a question for practical guidance from our team.
Your hospital will provide fasting instructions the day before your admission. It is important to follow these instructions carefully.
Some medications, particularly blood thinners, may need to be stopped before surgery. Never stop medication unless advised by your surgeon, anaesthetist or treating doctor.
Yes. You should arrange for a responsible adult to take you home after discharge and, where possible, stay with you for the first 24 hours.
This depends on your operation, recovery and any pain medication you are taking. Your surgeon will advise when it is safe to resume driving.
Recovery times vary depending on your surgery, occupation and individual recovery. Your surgeon will discuss an appropriate return-to-work plan during your follow-up appointments.
This depends on your procedure and recovery. Your surgeon will advise when it is appropriate to commence physiotherapy or rehabilitation.
If your clinical condition changes, your surgeon can request a review of your priority. Any change must meet NSW Health clinical criteria and is subject to hospital approval.
Contact us
Preparing for Surgery?
Download our pre-operative guidelines or contact our team if you have any questions.