In order to ensure your experience flows smoothly, be sure to follow any directions provided to you by your doctor to prepare for surgery. This may include altering your diet, not eating or drinking, or not using certain medications. You should also inquire about medications normally taken in the morning.
Wear comfortable clothing according to the weather and your procedure. For example, a short sleeve shirt could be worn if having hand surgery, loose clothing for abdominal surgery, or shorts for leg and foot surgery. Be prepared to change into hospital clothing for the procedure.
Please bring all health insurance cards the day of your procedure. In addition, bring a written list of any medications with the dose you currently take, including medications taken on a regular basis such as vitamins, herbals, or medications taken for pain. Include the time you last took a dose of any of these medications. We will also need to know of any allergies you might have.
Use the Personal Medical Record Form for your convenience.
Where to Park and Where to Report First
- You should arrive 2 hours before your tentative surgical time in order for us to prepare you for surgery (unless otherwise instructed by your physician). Please understand emergencies and unforeseen delays are possible. Our staff will keep you informed if this should occur.
- Please park in the parking lot at the front of the building along Fulton Street.
- Use the Surgery Entrance at the front of the building. When you come in the door, the elevator will be on your right; take the elevator to the 2nd floor.
- When the elevator arrives at the 2nd floor, you will be greeted by the Surgery Registration Clerk and escorted to the Pre Surgery Department.
Pre-Surgery Experience
- Your Pre-Surgery nurses will take additional information as well as perform a physical assessment.
- If you require an IV it will be started at this time. Should you need any medications prior to your procedure it may be administered at this time.
- If your procedure requires full sedation you will meet and be assessed by the Anesthesiologist.
- Your surgeon may see you in this setting prior to the procedure.
- Those of us involved directly with your care will introduce ourselves.
- For your safety, identifying information and surgical site verification will be done multiple times by different staff members.
Surgical Suite Experience
- You may see many employees working in the surgery suite such as nurses, physician assistants, surgical technicians, the anesthesiologist, and your surgeon.
- Surgery is a busy area with multiple procedures being performed at the same time.
- If your procedure requires moderate sedation you will return to the Pre Surgery area after your procedure for a short time to ensure you are fully awake and able to travel home.
- You may also go to the Recovery Room to have continuous monitoring, depending on the type of anesthesia used.
- If you do not have a sedative, you could be discharged from the Pre Surgery Department as soon as your vital signs are checked and postoperative instructions are discussed.
Pre-Surgery Instructions
- Your surgeon's office will notify you when to arrive at the hospital. Most patients are instructed to arrive two (2) hours prior to their scheduled time. Check in at the Surgery Registration desk upon arrival.
- There is always a possibility your surgery could be delayed due to an emergency.
- Do not eat or drink anything after Midnight prior to your surgery unless instructed differently by your surgeon (this includes hard candy, gum, breath mints, and water).
- You should brush your teeth and rinse your mouth the morning of surgery, but do not swallow anything. Dentures and partials should be worn; however, the anesthesiologist may ask you to remove these.
- If you use any inhalers, please bring them to the hospital. If you take aspirin, anti-inflammatories, or Coumadin, your surgeon may want you to stop these prior to surgery. Please check with your surgeon.
- Do not bring any valuables to the hospital. You do not need money, wallets, purses, jewelry, etc.
- Do not wear make-up, nail polish, or body lotion.
- Your clothes should be comfortable and loose fitting to accommodate large bandages and dressings.
- Arrange to have someone drive you home after surgery.
- If you develop a cold, fever, cough, or any illness from now till the morning of surgery, please alert your surgeon.
- Inform your nurses and the anesthesiologist of any loose teeth.
- Feel free to call us 419-734-3131 ext. 3680 if you have any questions.
