Day of Surgery

You should bring the following with you:

• Insurance card and any co-payment that is required
• Contact lens container or eyeglass case (if you wear contact lenses or eyeglasses)
• Crutches or a walker if you already have them and would need them after surgery

You should wear loose, comfortable clothing and low heeled shoes so that it is easier to dress after surgery.  Please do not wear jewelry (rings, necklaces, bracelets, studs, or earrings) as they will need to be removed prior to the start of your surgery.  Our female patients are asked not to wear makeup, nail polish, hairpins or hairclips.

Upon entering the suite, please report to the receptionist.  You will be asked to verify and sign our registration and financial forms.  Shortly thereafter, the nurse will escort you to the pre-operative area. Please understand that the admission process is based on a number of criteria (such as your scheduled time of surgery and the number of nursing tasks that need to be completed prior to your procedure). In the pre-operative area your vital signs will be taken.  You will be asked to change into a gown, robe, and slippers that are provided for your use. Your clothes will be placed in a secured locker until you are ready for discharge.  Just before going into the operating room, you may be asked to remove your contact lenses, dentures or partial plate, and any other prosthesis.  These will be labeled, placed in a locker and returned to you upon discharge.  If your surgery requires sedation or anesthesia, you will be seen by one of our anethesiologists while you are in the pre-operative area.  The anesthesiologist will discuss the anesthesia planned for you.  Your operating room nurse will speak with you in the pre-operative area and then accompany you to the operating room.  After the operation is complete, you may be taken into the recovery area until you are ready to go home.  At the appropriate time, your escort will be allowed to visit with you in this area.  Coffee, juice, soda, and crackers are provided for patients in the recovery area.  You and your escort will receive specific discharge information and instructions to prepare you for your discharge home.

If any of the following occur, you may need to be admitted to the hospital:

• More extensive surgery than planned
• Complications arising due to anesthesia
• You experience a greater amount of pain than expected