Frequently Asked Questions on Day of Surgery
Daily medication?
Generally take your medication before leaving home.
Diabetic medications will be individualized. Usually they hold diabetic medicines and manage your sugar at the hospital or surgery center. You should be contacted before surgery leaving no doubts in your mind as to which medications you should take.
Please bring all your medications with you.
People using inhalers must bring them to the Center on the day of surgery.
Some medications will be stopped for the surgery, talk to your surgeon about medications allowed prior to surgery day.
May I continue my herbal medications?
Herbal medications may have some harmful effects on the surgery. Many of these remedies may affect your clotting ability and interfere with the drugs used for anesthesia.
Ask your surgeon if you should stop these medications before surgery. Please remember to mention these remedies when being asked about medication.
Who may accompany me?
You are welcome to bring one person with you to the hospital or surgical center.
That person will be allowed to be in your room with you before surgery and may sit with you after the surgery if you so choose.
If the patient is a child, two parents and/or guardians can accompany him or her to the hospital or surgical center. However only one parent and/or guardian may be permitted into the recovery room at a time do to space and safety constraints.
Don’t bring young children to the hospital or surgical center as guests.
Do I need to visit the Hospital or surgical center before my surgery date?
Some families may elect to bring their children for a preoperative tour of the hospital or surgical center.
Some patients may choose to come to the Center before their surgery date to complete paperwork or make payments. We strongly recommend that you complete all preoperative documentation before the day of surgery.
May I pre-register for my surgery?
Yes. We strongly encourage you to have completed all the registration forms before the day of surgery. We prefer that you simply walk in on the day of your surgery and be shown to your room rather than fill out pages of paperwork. For your convenience, many hospitals and surgery centers will provide an online registration feature.
What if I cannot make my appointment?
Please notify the surgeon and the hospital as early as possible if you cannot make your scheduled surgery appointment.
What can I wear?
wear comfortable clothing. Button-down shirts/blouses are best. Wear comfortable shoes.
Leave all jewelry at home, including body-piercing jewelry.
If you wear contacts, you will have to remove them for the surgery, so consider wearing your glasses. If you have to wear your contacts, please bring a contact solution and contacts case.
Please do not wear any make-up, nail polish, self tanner as this can hide certain clinical signs.
Why must I refrain from eating and/or drinking prior to surgery?
There is no eating and/or drinking prior to surgery in order to prevent the risks of aspirating gastric fluids during surgery. You need to strictly abide by the recommendations. (This has nothing to do with nausea and vomiting after your surgery as some think.)
Children have different fasting schedules than adults, please check in the Children and Special Needs Adults section.
Should I take my usual daily medication?
Generally you take your medication before leaving home. Diabetic medications will be handled individually based on physician orders. Usually diabetic medicines are held and management of your sugar is performed while at the hospital. You should be contacted before your surgery leaving no doubts in your mind as to which medications you should take. Please bring all your medications with you.
Using inhalers?
Bring them with you on the day of surgery.
Will I be contacted before my surgery?
Yes. All patients are called before their surgery to gather information required, and hopefully answer any of your questions.
Preoperative instructions are usually a separate call by the surgical pre op nurse. You can also call the hospital surgical area or surgical center directly with any questions.
Should I bathe and wash my hair before leaving home?
Yes. You can comfortably take a shower/bath, brush your teeth, etc. Do not use makeup, hair spray, nail polish or lotions, or perfume. These may interfere with the anesthesia monitoring and possibly hide clinical signs from the anesthesiologist. The smell of perfume may make you nauseous post procedure during recovery.
What should I do if I am not feeling well?
If you are not feeling well, contact your surgeon immediately. There are some surgeries which are safer if delayed when you are sick. We need to know specific details on your illness to make any decisions. Please do not delay in contacting your surgeon.
What should I do if I started my menstrual cycle?
This will not affect most surgical procedures. There are a few specific gynecological procedures which may be impacted by menstruation. Call your surgeon or hospital surgery center if you are in doubt or have questions.
What should I do if I believe that I am pregnant?
It is very important for surgeons, anesthesiologist to be aware of this possibility. Only necessary surgery is done on pregnant patients.
May I drive home?
Any patient receiving anesthesia should not drive until the next day. A patient receiving sedation for a procedure needs a ride home.
A few patients who have procedures performed under local anesthesia alone may possibly drive home.
It is strongly recommended that all patients have a ride home and will be taken care of by a responsible adult when they arrive home.
Patients will not be discharged if they are going to drive, walk or take public transportation after sedation or anesthesia. Please make the appropriate arrangements.
May I speak to my anesthesiologist before the surgery?
All patients will be seen by the anesthesiologist on the day of surgery prior to entering the operating room.
As much time as needed should be spent to answer any questions you may have.
If you need to speak to the anesthesiologist before the day of surgery, call the hospital or surgical center to see if they can arrange for you to speak with an anesthesiologist.
You should be able to arrange a preoperative interview if you desire to ask questions of the anesthesia staff performing the interview.
What if I have special needs?
Every effort to accommodate any special needs is always made. It is strongly encouraged to call the hospital or surgery Center in advance so they can properly prepare to make you comfortable. Do not hesitate to call and suggest anything that may make your day easier.
Should I bring my special needs equipment?
Yes. Please bring any walkers, post-op crutches, hearing aids, etc.
What must I bring with me on the day of surgery?
Bring case for eyeglasses or contacts
Bring insurance identification cards, driver’s license, completed billing forms, copayments
Bring all medication
Make sure you have a ride home and someone to care for you at home
Bring a favorite bottle or “sippy cup” for your child
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing
Leave all jewelry and valuables at home
How will my pain be managed?
Pain management is of great importance. They will be assessing your level of pain from the time of admission until you receive our postoperative call at home. They need to inform/prepare you for each step of the process. Education will begin with your first contact at the hospital or surgical center. You will repeatedly be asked to rate your pain using a numerical scale called the Visual Analog Pain Scale, or for children, the Faces Pain Scale. Using the results of that communication they will adjust the medication therapy as needed, to assure your comfort.
May I request what type of anesthesia I will receive?
Yes it is possible to do a request. In certain situations, some operations can be performed using a choice of different anesthetic types. Your anesthesiologist will discuss available options with you after reviewing your medical history. Your preference should be discussed so that the most appropriate anesthetic plan is made.
Will I receive any sedatives before surgery?
Your anesthesiologist will develop an anesthetic care plan and discuss this with you on their pre-surgical visit.
What are the risks of anesthesia?
All operations and all anesthetics have risks and they are dependent upon many factors including the type of surgery, and medical conditions of the patient. Most patients operated on in surgery centers are of the healthier group of patients, and in these circumstances serious complications, while they can occur, are fortunately very rare. Patients with chronic conditions or whose health may warrant inpatient recovery will be performed in a hospital.
May I go into the operating room with my child?
There are circumstances where it is appropriate for a parent to come into the operating room. That this needs to be individualized and discussed between you and your anesthesiologist. There are many situations where other choices are better and possibly even safer.
