Day of Surgery

Your physician or a pre-operative nurse will inform you of eating and drinking restrictions prior to surgery. It is very important that you follow the provided instructions. If you do not, your surgery may be delayed or cancelled.

You will be given instructions regarding medications by your physician or a staff member. Also, as noted above, please bring a list all prescription and non-prescription medications (including name and dose) you are taking. This includes supplemental vitamins and other over-the-counter medications. Also, bring them with you if needed during your stay (e.g., inhaler or insulin).

1. Take a shower the night before and the morning of surgery. Follow these simple steps:
   1. Wash your hair first with any shampoo.
   2. Wash all of your body using a liquid antibacterial soap and a clean washcloth for each shower.
   3. Rinse well to remove all soap.
   4. Dry your body with a clean towel.
   5. Do not use lotion, cream or powder.
   6. Do not shave or clip the area where the surgery will be done unless your physician directs you to do so.
2. On the day of your procedure make sure you, your family and any other caregivers wash hands frequently while at the facility and at home following your surgery. Also, do not hesitate to ask members of your health care team at the facility if they have washed their hands.
3. Be sure to follow all instructions provided by your health care team regarding the care and cleaning of your surgical site as well as the use of post-operative medications and bandages.

You will receive instructions regarding arrival time during your pre-operative phone call. It is important that you arrive at the designated time.

1. For your comfort, we encourage you to wear clothing that can easily be removed and stored. Please avoid wearing any jewelry, watches, piercings, nail polish and cosmetics, and leave contact lenses at home or bring your lens case with you.
2. Please bring photo identification and your insurance card(s). Our staff will verify and make copies when you check-in on the day of your surgery. Also bring any payment that is your responsibility (e.g., co-payment or deductible).
3. Be sure to bring any medications that you may need during your stay at the facility (e.g., inhaler or insulin).
4. Please bring a list of all medications-prescription, over-the-counter, herbal- you are currently taking.

When you arrive at the facility, you will be checked-in by a member of our staff. The admission process is usually very quick as we have obtained most of your information prior to your arrival. This final check allows us to verify all of your key information so we can better serve you.

A nurse will conduct a pre-operative assessment, including taking your vital signs and starting an IV if it is required for your procedure. The anesthesia provider will also speak with you in the pre-operative area to review all pre-operative information and discuss your anesthesia.

A nurse will escort you into the pre-operative area where you will change your clothes. Your belongings will be safely stored until you are ready to go home. We recommend that you leave all valuables and additional accessories at home.

Most likely, since the nature of most procedures requires that you and your physician confirm both the specific type of procedure you are having, and the surgical site of that procedure.

This depends upon a number of factors. However, we believe that familiar faces can assist in reducing your anxiety about the procedure, so please do not hesitate to inform the nurse if you would like a friend or family member to sit with you. Our staff will keep your family and friends informed of your progress and let them know when they are able to join you after the procedure.

No. Smoking may interfere with the anesthesia and frequently produces nausea during the recovery period. We advise against smoking on the day of your procedure.

Your pain management is very important to us. We will assess your level of pain from the time of admission until you receive our post-operative call at home. During your stay at the facility, you will be repeatedly asked to rate your pain using a numerical scale (1-10), or for children, the "Faces Pain Scale" (shown below).

We often use a combination of different techniques to help make you comfortable: oral medications, intravenous medications, nerve blocks, injection of local anesthetic during the surgery, etc.

Prior to the surgery, your pain management should be discussed with both your anesthesiologist and surgeon. Please feel free to bring up any concerns or fears you may have.

Remember that information on pain management gives you appropriate expectations and a smoother, more comfortable recovery.

You should take a very active role in all discussions with your physician, your anesthesia provider and our staff regarding the identification of your procedure and the correct surgical site.

Since your safety is our primary concern, the entire health care team follows rigorous guidelines regarding site identification and procedure confirmation.

National Patient Safety Goals have been developed which require your involvement too. You will be asked numerous times to confirm both the procedure you are having and the surgical site.

In most cases, your surgeon will mark the site prior to your procedure.

Yes. After surgery, you will be taken to a recovery area. A nurse will monitor your vital signs and make sure you are comfortable as the anesthesia begins to wear off. Once you are awake and alert, your family will be invited back to the recovery area. Special arrangements are made for children having surgery.

The amount of recovery time varies from patient to patient. After your procedure, a nurse will monitor your vital signs and make sure you are alert and stable. You will be sent home as soon as your health care team feels it is safe to discharge you from the facility. Although the times vary, most patients are discharged 1 to 2 hours after surgery.

In rare circumstances, an unexpected admission to a hospital is necessary after surgery. Your physician or anesthesiologist may determine that you need to be transferred to West Valley Medical Center for additional post-operative care.