Day of Surgery

Preparation Guide

  • A registered nurse will bring you to the preoperative area.
  • You will be weighed and will dress in a gown.
  • Before your surgery, you will meet with a nurse and an anesthesiologist regarding your procedure.
  • An intravenous line will be started for fluids and medications needed before, during, and after surgery.
  • A family member or friend may visit with you before surgery, as time allows.
  • Surgery times are approximate. You may need to wait shorter or longer than anticipated.
  • Bathe or shower and wash your hair since this may be difficult after surgery.
  • Brush your teeth, taking care not to swallow any water.
  • Remove contact lenses or bring your contact lenses case with you.
  • Bring glasses needed for reading and a case for storing them.
  • Leave jewelry and valuables at home, except for your co-payment.
  • Dress comfortably in casual, loose fitting clothes (large button-up shirt for shoulder surgery and shorts, skirt, or sweat pants for knee or ankle surgery) and flat-heeled, easy-on shoes.
  • Do not wear any jewelry. This includes wedding rings, earrings, and any body piercings. For your safety, ALL jewelry must be removed prior to surgery.
  • Please avoid wearing hair spray, body lotion, perfume, cologne or makeup.
  • If instructed by your surgeon to take medication, please take it with a small sip of water when you first wake up.
  • Please bring a picture ID, insurance card, and any co-payment you may have.
  • Bring the list of medications you take including drug name, dose, how often taken, and when it was last taken.
  • Bring your Advance Directive, if you have one.
  • On the day of your surgery, please arrive at the time given to you by your doctor’s office. Sometimes your surgeon may request you come earlier than scheduled, so please try and be available by telephone the day of your surgery. Consider leaving early to avoid traffic delays and to drive at a leisurely pace. It is important you arrive on time and promptly begin the admission process.
  • For the protection of our patients, refreshments are not served, so the person waiting may want to bring their own.
  • One parent or legal guardian must always be present in the surgery center for any patient under 18 years of age.
  • You may bring a book or a magazine to read before you go into surgery.