Preparing for surgery

We know that having surgery can cause anxiety. However, you can rest assured that our surgery teams will guide you every step of the way, making you comfortable and preparing you for your procedure. Here are some general items of what to expect, from registration to post-surgical recovery:

Once your surgery is scheduled, our pre-admission team will contact you to schedule your pre-admission appointment and testing. We also recommend that you pre-register to save time the day of your surgery.

What to bring to your pre-admission appointment

We suggest that you bring the following items with you to your pre-admission appointment:

• Current insurance information
• Driver's license or alternative forms of identification
• Payment for services (when notified ahead of time by financial services)

What to bring to your pre-admission testing appointment

We suggest that you bring the following items to your pre-admission testing appointment:

• A list of your allergies
• A list of your past surgeries and hospitalizations with dates and years, if known
• Your current medications or a list of your current medications with dosages and timing

It's important to do the following the day before your procedure:

• If you feel sick, call your physician. Do not wait until the day of surgery to tell your doctor if you have a fever, sore throat or any type of infection.
• If you think you might be pregnant, notify your physician. Anesthesia and certain medications could affect your unborn child.
• Follow your physician's pre-surgical instructions. Failure to follow your doctor's orders could result in a procedure cancellation. Pre-surgical instructions can include:
  • Not drinking or eating anything for a period
  • Preparing your bowels
  • Taking a special shower
  • Taking certain medications

Please be sure to do the following on the day of your procedure:

• Arrive two hours before your scheduled surgery.
• Bring a copy of your living will, if applicable.
• Bring a list of all your medications.
• Do not suck on mints, chew gum, smoke, eat anything, wear makeup, or use nail polish on the morning of your procedure.
• If you have been told to take certain medications, such as blood pressure medicine, on the day of surgery, you may take them with an ounce (two tablespoons) of water only.
• Leave all jewelry, including body piercings, and valuables at home. The hospital is not responsible for lost items.
• Note that contact lenses, dentures and eyeglasses cannot be worn in the operating room.

Patients coming to us for surgery need to enter the hospital through the G Tower entrance. You may be dropped off or park in either of our parking structures for easy access.

After you arrive at the hospital for surgery, you'll need to check in at the front desk in the new G Tower lobby. If you have not pre-registered, proceed to the second floor waiting room.

You and your family members will be given a wrist band to access the surgery floors. You will then be directed to the preoperative holding area.

After you are directed to the preoperative holding area, you can expect the following:

• You will meet your nurse or anesthesiologist.
• Bring a copy of your living will, if applicable.
• Your nurse will complete your admission process by asking you questions.
• You will be asked to sign a consent for anesthesia.
• You will change into a hospital gown.
• A nurse will start your intravenous (IV) line.
• Your surgeon will meet with you before your procedure and may mark the surgical site. You may ask your surgeons any questions at this time.

You will be taken to the OR, where your surgeon will perform your procedure. Your visitor will wait for you in the surgery waiting room.

After your procedure, you will move to the recovery room or PACU. You'll stay there until you are fully awake, ready for discharge or admitted to your hospital room. The amount of time you'll spend in the recovery room depends on you, your procedure and room availability.

If you are going home after surgery, you and a responsible adult will be given discharge instructions regarding medication, diet and activities. If you are staying in the hospital after surgery, you will be transported to your assigned room when it is available. Your visitor will be informed when you move to a new location.