Your Day of Surgery
Instructions for the Day of Surgery
- Please do NOT eat or drink anything after midnight or 6 hours prior to surgery unless you have been instructed to do so by your physician. This includes water, coffee, soda, juice, or any other liquids. Eating or drinking before surgery can lead to serious complication! Please be advised this also includes chewing gum and breath mints! We understand this may be uncomfortable for some, but it is important you have a completely empty stomach prior to the administration of anesthesia.
- Take only blood pressure/heart medication (with a small sip of water) the morning of your surgery, unless instructed otherwise.
- Be sure to wear comfortable, casual clothing and do not wear makeup, nail polish, fragrances, contact lenses, or jewelry. We will provide a bag to place your belongings in, but it is highly recommended you leave anything of value at home. Also it is very important to remove all body piercings.
- A competent adult must drive you to and from the center and must remain with you after surgery for twenty four hours. This is for your safety due to the effect anesthesia may have on you during this time period. We do require parents or guardians remain in the building if the patient is a minor, while he/she is in surgery.
The Day of Surgery
Before surgery, one of our registered nurses will provide you with a gown and an explanation of what to expect in the surgical area. They will ask you a number of questions and initiate the paperwork needed to provide your care during your stay. Two family members and/or significant others are welcome to stay with you until you are taken to the Operating Room.
Your Anesthesiologist will explain to you which type of anesthesia will be administered. Your Surgeon will review the type of surgery and will explain any potential complications, and alternatives. If not done ahead of time, you will be asked to sign a consent form.
Once in the Operating Room, you will be prepped for surgery. The skin will be cleansed with an antimicrobial agent and shaved if needed. All body areas will be draped except the part that will be operated on. Anesthesia will be administered. Your Surgeon will guide the team through the actual operation. Depending on the length and complexity of your surgery, a number of other team members will be present. The surgical team may include Nurses, Surgical Residents, Physician's Assistants, and Surgical Technicians.
Following the procedure, you may be taken to our recovery area where a nurse will continuously monitor you until you are fully awake and alert before bringing you back to your room. Before you leave the facility your nurse will instruct you and the person bringing you home on post-operative care and discharge instructions. Therefore, it is very important for the person who is providing you transportation to your home be available at this time. You will also be instructed on any restrictions of activity and any exercises that you are capable of performing during your healing period. You can expect to stay in the facility a couple of hours following your procedure until you are considered stable enough to be discharged home. The Anesthesiologist will make this decision.
After Discharge of The Surgery Center
Contact your doctor's office should you have any questions or experience any complications following your surgery!
- When you are discharged from the Surgery Center, there are a number of things you should understand to ensure the success of your surgery.
- Be aware of any restrictions ordered by your surgeon. These restrictions will be written on your discharge instructions.
- Your physician will decide when it is safe for you to drive your automobile, shower, and exercise.
- Your surgeon will provide you with any prescriptions needed during your recovery. Take the medicine as directed. Taking more than the prescribed dose can be dangerous.
- Unless instructed otherwise, resume your normal diet. Eat plenty of foods high in protein to help with healing.
- Please contact your surgeon's office if you have any questions regarding your post-operative instructions. Make certain you follow the instructions and call your surgeon for a post-operative appointment as directed.
- The day after discharge, you will be contacted by our nursing staff to insure that ASCO provided a safe and comfortable environment for your surgery. We will answer any additional questions that you have after surgery, or refer you to other health team members to provide necessary information.