The Day of Surgery
Diet
Have a light dinner and limit alcohol intake the evening prior to your
surgery. Food or liquid in your stomach may cause your surgery to be
postponed
or cancelled. Do not eat or drink anything, including water, after midnight
before your surgery, unless instructed to do so by your surgeon. Brush
your teeth, tongue and any dental prosthesis with toothpaste followed
by water and mouthwash (being careful not to swallow) just before coming
to the Hospital.
Dress
Dress in comfortable, loose, short sleeved clothing and low-heeled shoes. A hospital
gown and robe will be provided during your visit. You cannot wear eyeglasses,
contact lenses, dentures, or any jewelry during surgery. We suggest
you bring a case in which to store your eyewear (and contact storage
solution, if needed) and remove all jewelry at home.
Valuables
Do not bring any valuables into the Hospital with you, including jewelry,
money, or credit cards. The Hospital is unable to accept liability for
lost valuables.
Upon Your Arrival
Enter the Hospital through the main lobby and check in at the reception
desk. If you do not speak English, or if you have a hearing or speech
impairment, you can have interpretation services provided for you at
no charge. Tell the person helping you that you need an interpreter.
Depending
on your scheduled procedure, you will be shown to either a surgical
gurney or a reclining chair. When you arrive in your assigned room,
you will be asked to change your clothes and put on a hospital gown.
The nurse will take your vital signs: temperature, blood pressure, and
pulse. If you have not already done so, you will need to sign a surgical
consent and give a medical history.
Surgeries are prioritized based upon the procedure, and the patient's
age and medical condition. Your surgery starting time is an estimate
based upon the surgeries scheduled that day. Every effort will be made
to avoid delays in the surgery schedule. However, unscheduled emergency
surgeries and other unforseen delays may interrupt our schedule. You
will be notified if delays occur. A television is provided for your
education
or entertainment
while you are waiting, but you may want to bring some reading material
or a crossword puzzle. We provide a special television channel airing
"Network for Health," which presents informative videos about
surgery and anesthesia.
Visitors
To ensure the well-being of all our patients, certain visiting regulations
must be observed. Only one visitor may be with you at a time. Children
under the age of 14 are not permitted on the nursing units and should
remain in the main lobby with a supervising adult.
Going to Surgery
An orderly will transport you by gurney to the holding room in the
Surgery Department. If you have not yet seen your anesthesiologist,
you will
now meet this doctor. When it is time for your surgery, you will be
moved to the operating room. Your length of time in surgery will depend
on the procedure you are having. When you leave for surgery, your family
will be directed to the main lobby where they should check in with the
main lobby receptionist. The receptionist will notify your family of
any updates and can direct your surgeon to them after your 
procedure.
Post-anesthesia recovery time varies and the main lobby receptionist
will notify your family when you return to your room.
The Operating Room Suite
The operating room provides a safe and sterile surgical environment.
Operating room personnel will be wearing masks and hats. The room will
be cold and will have bright lights overhead. You will see a great deal
of equipment, not all of which may be used for your procedure.
