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Surgical Services
Preparations on the Day of Surgery

1. Shower at home on the morning of surgery. Use Hibiclens® if you have been instructed by the nurse/doctor to do so the morning of surgery.
2. Do not wear any makeup or jewelry. Do not bring to the hospital any extra money or credit cards, other than what is needed for your co-payment or deductible. If you are scheduled to go home after your procedure, you must have a responsible person drive you home (taxi service home is not permissible unless with adult accompaniment). Do not drive within 24 hours following anesthesia. If you are to be admitted to the hospital after your surgery, bring a suitcase with your personal belongings but leave it in the car until after surgery. Your family member can take it to your room after surgery.
3. After surgery, you will go to the recovery room where you will receive constant care. As the anesthesia wears off, you may experience sounds louder than usual, blurry vision, dry mouth or chills. Your blood pressure will be checked periodically, and you may have an intravenous infusion or tubes for drainage in place. If you experience pain, ask your nurse for medication.
4. After recovery, if you are to be discharged, you will return to the ambulatory surgery department and remain there until you are completely ready to be discharged. You will be given printed discharge instructions for your use at home. If you are to be admitted to the hospital, you will then be taken to your assigned room.
5. Family or friends who accompany you to the hospital will receive a pager through which they will receive updates on your condition from your nurse or physician. To respect our patients’ privacy, we limit visitors in the recovery area to special circumstances, such as when there is a need for an interpreter or a prolonged stay. Once a patient returns to the ambulatory care surgery department for discharge or has been moved to a room on a nursing unit, family and friends are welcome to visit. For more information, see our visiting guidelines.
   

A Guide to Preparing for Surgery
	Learn how to pre-register.
	Learn about preoperative instructions for elective surgery.
	Learn how to prepare for your hospital admission.
	Prepare for after your surgery.

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