FAQs About What To Do Before Surgery

It’s common to fret about what to expect on the day of your surgery, so we’ve put together a quick FAQ guide covering the days and hours leading up to and immediately following your surgery, so you can have peace of mind when the time comes.

What do I need to do in the days leading up to my surgery?

In the days before your surgery, make sure to avoid alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs. You’ll also want to double-check that your pets and family members will be taken care of and that someone will be able to stay with you for a day after you get home. You should also confirm your insurance one last time and follow any special instructions your doctor gives you. Ensure you have everything you’ll need ready in advance; this includes your paperwork, ID, etc.

What should I do before I head to the hospital?

Ensure you avoid eating and drinking after midnight the day before your surgery. Bathe in the morning before heading to the hospital, but don’t use any powders, lotions, deodorants, etc., afterward. Take medications as instructed and arrive a few hours in advance unless you’ve been instructed otherwise.

What happens before surgery?

When you arrive at the hospital, any insurance and payment paperwork that still needs to be resolved will be taken care of during your admission, and then you’ll get a hospital ID bracelet. You can have one or two adults with you until shortly before going into the operating room if you like. While in Pre-Op, you’ll speak with the anesthesiologist and a member of the surgical team. Depending on your situation, they may go ahead and place IVs and monitoring leads while you wait.

What should I expect after surgery?

Immediately after surgery, someone will speak to any members of your family in the waiting room to report progress. You will be moved to the post-anesthesia care unit of the hospital for monitoring as you wake up. Due to the memory-inhibiting aspects of anesthesia, you may not remember parts of this, even if you’re partially conscious. In the PACU, nurses will have you clear your lungs, breathe deeply, and report your condition, including any pain.

What happens next?

If you’re staying at the hospital, a nurse will call the waiting area to let your loved ones know when it’s time for you to go to a hospital room so that they can go with you. If you’re going home immediately after surgery, then your family or friends can pick you up once you’re safe for discharge. For safety reasons, you will not be allowed to drive home or use a taxi or rideshare service.

Before you’re discharged, you’ll have a set of discharge instructions covering diet, medication, care for your incision, and expected progress to resume normal activity. We’ll also establish a strategy for managing pain from your surgery based on your response, the surgery you had, etc. There is no one-size-fits-all expectation of pain or pain medication dosage for any surgery, so we need to understand your specific needs.

Have further questions about what to expect on the day of your surgery? Speak with the team at Surgical Professionals today by dialing 480-892-2456 or by contacting us online!

Please note that the above information is provided for general purposes only and may not apply to your specific situation. Our surgical capabilities may also be subject to change. Contact us discuss your medical condition, determine the most appropriate treatment for your individual case, and confirm that we can address your procedure.