Day of Surgery:

• If you were instructed by your surgeon to take any medication the day of surgery, do so with a small sip of water.
• Your arrival time for Surgery is Approximately one hour Prior to the Surgical Start Time, unless told differently.  Allow extra time for traffic and parking.  Surgery may be cancelled or delayed if you are late.
• Please bring as few personal items as possible to the hospital. Leave valuables and jewelry at home as the hospital will not be held responsible for lost or stolen items.
• Please remove nail polish (clear is fine). Do not apply lotion, cream, deodorant or make-up on the day of surgery.
• Wear comfortable clothing.
• Please park in the main parking lot on Hospital Road. Proceed through the main entrance and proceed to your right to the Registration area.
• You will register at the Registration Department. Please have your insurance card and identification with you. Upon completion of the registration process, you will then proceed to Surgical Services.
• You will be met by a receptionist or nurse and be escorted to a private room. You will be asked to change into a hospital gown. A patient belongings bag will be provided to put your clothes in.
• For your safety, you will be frequently asked your name and date of birth. An identification bracelet will be placed on your wrist as well as an allergy bracelet if appropriate. You will also be asked to confirm what you are going to have done for a procedure.
• A short pre-operative interview will be done by a nurse to make sure that your health history has not changed since the time of your telephone or face to face interview.
• If you require anesthesia services an Anesthesia Department representative will meet with you to discuss the right type of anesthesia for you. The decision for your anesthesia will be between you, your doctor and your anesthesia provider. More information regarding anesthesia can be found under Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's).
• An intravenous (IV) is started by the pre-operative nurse or anesthesia provider. Your surgeon visits with you to review your medical history, answer questions, and to mark your surgical site if appropriate.
• You may be asked to remove dentures, partial plates, bridges, hearing aides, contact lenses and body piercings.
• Family members or friends in the waiting room may visit. Family will be asked where they will be waiting and/or how they can be contacted so that the Surgical Services staff can provide progress reports and so that the surgeon can speak with the family after the surgery is completed.
• The operating room nurse comes to meet you in your private room, confirms your name, date of birth (with you and against you bracelet), confirms procedure, checks your chart, answers your questions, and proceeds to take you to the operating room or procedure room. You will be asked to put on a Surgical Hat and Mask (if appropriate) prior to going to OR Suite.
• If you are anxious you will probably receive some medication through your IV prior to being wheeled into the Operating Room.
• Providing you with excellent care is our ultimate goal. If at any time you have concerns about your care, let your nurse or the Charge nurse know in order for us to address your concerns before leaving Surgical Services.

In the Operating Room

• The Operating Room staff will be wearing surgical clothes, masks, and hats. The room has bright lights and ‘lots’ of equipment.
• In the operating room you will be asked to move onto the operating room table. The room will feel cold but warm blankets will be provided to keep you warm.
• Your nurse in the operating room is there to care for you and to act as your advocate. He/she will remain with you until your procedure is finished.