What happens on the day of surgery
When you arrive for your surgery, a member of our staff will greet you, walk you through any necessary paperwork and help you feel as comfortable as possible. It’s important to arrive on time so your surgical team can adequately prepare you for your procedure. During your pre-surgical appointment, your care team will discuss where and what time to check in.
Below, learn what you can do at home to ensure you are ready for your operation, as well as what happens after you check in to the hospital or outpatient surgical facility.
What to do at home
Following these at-home tips on the day of your procedure can help support a positive surgical experience.
Contact us if you are sick. If you are not feeling well, please contact your surgical team. The surgery may need to be postponed for your health and safety.
Follow instructions for eating and drinking. Dietary restrictions may vary according to the type of surgery you are having; however, most patients will need to stop eating and drinking at a certain time before their procedure. These restrictions help ensure no food or fluids enter your lungs when you receive anesthesia. Not following these instructions may result in the cancellation or rescheduling of your surgery.
Wear comfortable clothes; avoid wearing products on skin. We recommend wearing loose-fitting clothing such as sweatpants, gym shorts or similar items. If you’re having surgery on your arm or shoulder, you may want to wear a button-down shirt. Please do not wear deodorant, makeup, perfume, aftershave, lotions or nail polish.
Leave valuables at home. Please do not bring valuables such as jewelry, electronics (including cellphones), cash or credit cards with you on the day of your surgery. You will also need to remove any body piercings before your surgery.
Bring identification and other important personal items. Bring a picture ID (such as a driver’s license) and your insurance card. You should also bring an eyeglasses case if you wear glasses — please do not wear contacts to your surgery.
Have transportation arranged. If you are receiving an outpatient procedure, you must have a responsible adult drive you home and provide care for 24 hours after your surgery. Ride-hailing services such as Lyft or Uber are not permitted unless you are accompanied by an adult. This is because anesthesia can cause you to feel dizzy, faint or experience slowed reflexes. If you are having an inpatient surgery, you will likely also need to have a responsible adult drive or escort you home.
What happens after you check in
After you check in to the hospital or outpatient surgical facility, you will be taken to a preoperative area where you will wait until it’s time for your surgery. During this time, you will change into a hospital gown and we will secure your belongings.
Following your procedure, these items will either be returned to you in the recovery area or delivered to your hospital room if you are staying overnight. When it’s time, we will take you to the operating room.
Learn more about what happens during this preoperative period.
-
Pre-surgical procedures and safety checks
-
Various members of your surgical team will introduce themselves, review your information, mark the surgical site, perform any necessary pre-surgical procedures and administer medications. You will also have opportunities to ask questions about the operation or your recovery during this time.
-
Anesthesia
-
Your anesthesiologist will meet with you to discuss a customized anesthesia plan, based on your medical history, current health and specific surgery. During the surgery, your anesthesiologist will give you medications to relieve your pain and manage vital functions, such as breathing, heart rhythm, blood pressure, and brain and kidney function.
Where family and friends can wait
On the day of your surgery, loved ones may wait in the designated surgical waiting area. Please bring no more than two friends or family members. Because surgery may take several hours, young children are usually most comfortable staying at home in the care of a responsible adult.
To ensure patients get adequate rest after their surgery, we may limit the number of loved ones who can visit at a time. Please check with individual hospital units or outpatient surgery centers for visiting hours and policies.
What’s next?
After surgery, you’ll go to a recovery room where a nurse will monitor you and keep you comfortable as your anesthesia wears off. Recovery from your surgery depends on the individual and the type of procedure you’ve had. Following your care team’s advice can help support a safe, effective recovery.