Information About Your Surgery

 

Preparing for your Surgery:

Sometime before your surgery date, a staff member from the Surgical Hospital will call you to confirm your surgery time.  They will also ask you questions regarding current or past medical conditions, allergies and medications you are taking.  Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions you may have, and be sure to let the staff know of any special needs.  If your child is having surgery, ask about our orientation party for children.

 

-         Your doctor or the Surgical Hospital's nurse will instruct you as to what time you are to stop eating and drinking prior to your surgery.

 

-         If you take medication for any condition, ask your doctor and/or the Surgical Hospital's nurse whether or not to take it the day of surgery.

 

-         For women, if there is any possibility you are pregnant, please notify your doctor and Surgical Hospital's nurse.

 

-         Leave all valuables at home, including watches, rings, jewelry and wallets.

 

-         Notify your surgeon of any change in your health, such as a cold, fever or sore throat.

 

-         For your safety, please arrange for an adult to drive you home after surgery.  You will not be allowed to drive yourself home.

 

 

 

What to Bring:

-         Please bring your insurance identification cards.  If special financial arrangements are necessary, please call the Surgical Hospital prior to admission.

 

-         Be sure to bring any paperwork your doctor gave you, such as test results or your medical history, and a list of medications you are taking.

 

-         Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing.

 

-         Upon arrival, you will change into a gown and slippers which we provide.  You will be asked to remove contact lenses, dentures and any prosthesis.

 

 

 

 

Recovering:

-         After surgery, you will be moved to the Recovery Area where you will be closely monitored until you are ready to go home or admitted to an inpatient room.

 

-         When you are fully awake, your family will be able to join you.  Although the times may vary, most outpatients are discharged 1 – 3 hours after surgery.  Inpatient stays usually last 1 to 3 days.

 

-         It is perfectly normal to feel discomfort in the area of your surgery.  You may also experience some drowsiness or dizziness, depending on the kind of anesthesia you received.

 

-         An appropriate nurse to patient ratio guarantees patients receive the optimum nursing care they deserve.

 

-         Private inpatient rooms offer patients the comfort and privacy necessary for a quick and successful recovery.  Each room has a television, recliner and a quiet, home-like atmosphere.

 

-         Our Center believes family involvement leads to a more successful recovery process.  Educational information is provided to help care-givers learn more about how they can be part of the recovery process and bridge the gap between hospitalization and home care.

 

 

At Home after Surgery:

-         Your surgeon will provide specific instructions for care while recovering at home.  In the event of any difficulty, please call your surgeon.

 

-         For the first 24 hours following surgery, do not engage in strenuous activities, drink any alcoholic beverages, drive, or make any critical decisions.

 

-         A nurse from the Surgical Hospital will call you within a day or two to evaluate how you are recovering at home.

 

-         You will be asked to complete a questionnaire about the care you received.  Your comments will enable us to continue to improve our services.