Those of you who have had  any surgery or have looked after someone having surgery in the family, know that it involves a lot of  preparation and recovery time. For a routine surgery patient usually gets admitted the day before surgery , is examined by junior doctors and blood and other tests are done . For a lot of major surgeries blood is reserved in the blood bank for which usually a family member or known donor is needed. On the night before, shaving of the part to be operated like abdomen, groin, armpits chest, legs or head is done by hospital staff- and one  only prays that they would be gentle and not cause any cuts. Then comes the worst part- rectal enema which is  considered mandatory before anaesthesia.. After overnight fasting or fasting thru the day ( at least 8 hours) one is  taken into the operation theatre. After surgery  patients averagely staye in hospital for 2-5 days and sometimes longer, during which time fluids and antibiotics are commonly given intravenously apart from intramuscular painkillers. This whole exercise though necessary at times has very powerful negative psychological impact on the patient and the family and even though surgeries have become safer people still fear them.

There are several disadvantages associated with this prolonged process:

1.      Lot of time way from work and family

2.      Lot of manpower( family or friends) is needed.

3.      Loss of privacy due to shaving and enema

4.      Hospital acquired infections are associated with long hospital stay.

5.      Prolonged iv fluids cause additional pain and sometimes swelling.

6.      Increased cost associated towards  room rent, duty doctor and nurses visits etc. Attendents also have to spend additionally on food and travel everyday.

7.      Psychological feeling of being sick while in hospital.

Day care cosmetic surgery is a relatively new concept in our country but its gaining popularity rapidly. Going for day care surgery involved following steps:

1.      Visit to doctor in her clinic with the blood test reports. You are  examined by doctor personally and related measurements and clinical photography are done in privacy. Consent forms are filled now rather than in the morning of surgery, so that you have enough time to go over them and ask any questions. Then you are handed  simple instructions to be followed before surgery which are usually nothing more than fasting for 6-8 hours. You may be asked to remove hair from armpits or groin at home if necessary.. a lot of cosmetic surgeries are done under local anaesthesia  for which you don’t  even have to fast .

2.      Report at the hospital at the designated time usually in the forenoon, one hour before surgery. There is no more examination  by duty doctors, beyond recording your pulse, BP and temperature.

3.      If surgery was under local anaesthesia patient goes back home 1 hour after surgery.If surgery was  under general anaesthsia then patient is shifted to postoperative unit for  4-5 hours .When he is fully conscious , has eated food, is walking and comfortable,  he is sent home, usually 6 hours after surgery.

4.      Patients are instructed to have someone with them at home who can reach the doctor in case of any emergency.All medications are given orally and stitches are removed in doctor’s clinic.