The Night Before Your Surgery or PROCEDURE

Please do not eat or drink anything after midnight.

*No water, no coffee or tea

Your physician may instruct you to take some of your medications the morning of surgery - If you have questions please call your physician’s office or our Admitting Nurse.

What You Need To Bring

• A current list of your medications
• Comfortable clothes to wear home

If Staying Overnight:

• Toiletries; Denture Supplies
• Robe
• Slippers

Leave at Home

• Any Valuables, all jewelry
• All Medications
• Contact Lenses – wear your glasses

We do have a safe available for small valuables if you must to bring them

THE DAY OF YOUR SURGERY OR PROCEDURE

Please arrive at the time on your instructions

Before Surgery or Procedure:

• Jewelry, piercings, and assistive devices must be removed
• Only wedding band not on operative site or arm/hand may be left on if absolutely necessary and may be taped in place. Removing all jewelry is preferred and is in your best interest for safety reasons
• You will be able to speak with your anesthesiologist
• You may have a surgical ‘prep’ or scrub
• You may receive medications that will make you feel drowsy and give you a dry mouth
• An intravenous line will be started to give you fluids and medications

WAITING AREAS

The Surgery waiting area is between the Same Day Surgery and the Emergency Room.

If you will not have anyone waiting or if they will be somewhere else please let your nurse or a volunteer know, this way the doctor can speak to your family after your surgery or procedure.

SURGERY TIMES

Every effort is made to assure that you go to surgery at the time you expect – however, there can be unavoidable delays caused by emergencies or other factors.

If your surgery is delayed please be patient and understand that the entire surgery team is working to get your surgery on schedule.

AFTER YOUR SURGERY OR PROCEDURE

Recovery Room

• Nurses will watch you very closely after your surgery for about an hour
• You will be attached to equipment that monitors your heart, blood pressure and oxygen.  In addition, you may also have oxygen on either by mask or nasal cannula.
• Sometimes the recovery of patients may happen in the Intensive Care Unit after normal hours of operation.

Nursing Unit, Patient Room

Several actions by you will help you to recover from your surgery.

• Deep breathing: breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth
• Coughing: Take several breaths and then cough deeply using your stomach muscles
• Using the Triflow device: exhale then put your lips to the mouthpiece and inhale quickly, raising as many balls as you can and keeping them up for as long as you can.

Bladder Function:  It is important that you are able to empty your bladder after surgery.
When you are able we will assist you to the bathroom, if you are unable we will offer you the bedpan or urinal

Pain Management: Different types and amounts of medicine may be ordered.

If your medicine is not working, let your nurse know.

It is a good idea to ask for pain medicine before your pain becomes intense and before activities that may cause discomfort.

Alternative activities such as reading, listening to music, or visiting with friends will help relieve your discomfort.

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