The following information will help you prepare for your surgery.

Before Surgery

• Review the instructions you should receive from your doctor about eating and drinking guidelines prior to surgery, what medications to take, and what to expect from anesthesia. Make sure that you comply with these carefully.
• Make sure you have confirmed your surgery time.
• Arrange for a family member or friend to accompany you and take you home after the surgery. For your safety, we will not allow you to drive yourself or take public transportation home. If you have children, arrange for someone to care for them while you are away.
• A parent or legal guardian must accompany you if you are under 18. We ask parents or guardians remain in the hospital for the duration of the surgical procedure.
• We will ask you to sign a consent form for permission to perform your surgery and to verify your surgeon has discussed the procedure with you.
• Expect two phone calls prior to the surgery. A pre-admission nurse will discuss your health history, scheduled surgery location (Saint John Hospital or Medical Plaza), admission time, medications and tests that need to be performed prior to surgery. She will also give you instructions about what to do before your surgery. A Patient Registration representative will call to confirm your home address, health insurance information and emergency contact information.

The Day of Surgery

• Arrive promptly at the registration area at your scheduled time.
• Make sure you bring the required forms, identification, and insurance card.
• A nurse will assist you with the consent forms, perform an assessment and take your blood pressure, temperature, heart rate and oxygen saturation measurement. An intravenous (IV) line will be started for medication delivery.
• You’ll learn about a pain scale to rate your discomfort and what to expect after the surgery.
• You’ll get an identification bracelet, slippers and a patient gown to wear.
• An anesthesia provider will meet with you to discuss the plan for your anesthesia during surgery.
• If appropriate, someone from your family may stay with you until the actual time of surgery.

In the Operating Room

• A nurse will meet with you in the preoperative area to verify your identity, surgeon, planned procedure and operative site.
• We’ll take you to the operating room and assist you onto a special bed.
• Members of the surgical team will prepare you for surgery and attach any required monitoring devices.

Post Anesthesia Care

After your procedure, we’ll take you to a recovery area. A nurse will monitor your vital signs and general condition. You will be asked to use the pain scale as we make you as comfortable as possible. If you are staying overnight, we’ll move you to a nursing unit in the hospital. If you are an outpatient, the nurse will review your instructions and provide you with a copy. We’ll then transported to by wheelchair to your ride home.

Your Recovery

Your surgeon will provide you with detailed instructions on your recovery process. Information such as proper breathing techniques, exercise, diet, pain medication, care of your incision and follow up care will be discussed. If you develop any complications, please notify your surgeon immediately.

If you have further questions, please call one of our nurses in the Surgical Services department at 913-680-6400 or 913-680-6467 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday to Friday.