Surgery Prep and Recovery

Before Surgery

  • Drink eight to ten glasses of water throughout the day.
  • Follow your doctor's guidelines on eating food or drinking fluids.
  • Refrain from smoking 12 hours prior to lessen the potential for nausea.
  • Avoid alcoholic beverages the evening and night before your stay.
  • Take a shower or bath.
  • Remove polish from fingernails and toenails.

Day Of Surgery

  • Brush your teeth the morning of surgery but do not swallow water.
  • Take only the medicine prescribed by your doctor with a small sip of water when you get up.
  • Wear loose, comfortable clothing to the hospital.
  • Do not apply makeup.
  • Remove contact lenses, hairpieces and any piercings.
  • Leave valuables at home, including money, jewelry, watches and rings.
  • Bring a pillow and a blanket for your stay or for the ride home.
  • Plan to have a support person to drive you to the hospital.
  • Arrive at the hospital 90 minutes before your procedure.

Surgery and Recovery

Visitor Waiting Area

We offer complimentary coffee weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Drinks and light snacks are accessible in our canteen for waiting guests. We ask that you limit food to crackers, pretzels and other snacks that lack a strong aroma.

There are courtesy phones and computers for your use to keep family and friends updated. Please help keep our waiting area calm and quiet by speaking softly.

Pre-Op Area

One person may accompany the patient to pre-op for initial preparation. Once the patient is ready, two people at a time can be escorted to the pre-op area.

PACU — Post Anesthesia Care Unit

After surgery, the surgeon will visit the surgical lobby/conference room to speak privately with family and/or friends. At this time, the patient will be going to PACU and recovery usually takes from 1.5 to 2 hours. Family and/or friends will be notified when the patient is in outpatient recovery or has been assigned a hospital room.

Outpatient Recovery Area

After a patient has recovered in PACU, he or she will be transferred to outpatient recovery. The volunteer/nurse liaison can then escort family and/or friends to recovery and home care instruction will be provided.