What patient preparation is needed on the day of surgery involving general anesthesia?

Welcome The Surgery Center, LLC. To help us plan for your visit, our pre-admission nurse will call you prior to your surgery. She will ask questions about the medications you take and their dosages, your medical history, and your surgical history. Please be prepared to answer these questions, as this information helps us to customize and personalize your care plan. If no one has called you within 48 hours of your procedure, or if you have any other pre-op questions, please contact the pre-op nurse at 414-325-4411.

If you are having general anesthesia with your procedure, our anesthesiologist will call you the night before your surgery to talk with you about your medical history and answer any questions you may have about anesthesia.

You can help us ensure your safety and comfort before and during your procedure by carefully following these instructions. Please also share them with the person who will care for you after you leave {{company.name}}.

If you are having general anesthesia or sedation for your procedure:
  • Take nothing by mouth after midnight the night before. This means that you cannot drink any liquids, eat food, chew gum, smoke a cigarette, or have a mint. If you brush your teeth, do not swallow any water. If your surgery is late in the day, please ask the nurse or anesthesiologist about having a light breakfast.
  • You will be instructed by your doctor or pre-admission nurse which medications to take the morning of surgery. Take medication with a sip of water only.

These instructions are for your safety. Please follow the directions from the pre-admission nurse and the anesthesiologist prior to surgery to avoid possible cancellation.

Other advance instructions for all patients:
  • Patients who are having an outpatient procedure with anesthesia must arrange for a responsible adult to take them home and stay with them for 24 hours.
  • Patients receiving local anesthesia may drive themselves home.
  • Do not smoke or drink alcohol 24 hours prior to surgery.
  • Do not wear makeup on the day of surgery. Remove all fingernail and toenail polish.
  • Wear your glasses instead of contacts on the day of surgery. If you must wear contacts, bring a container for your lenses.
  • All jewelry must be removed, including all body piercing jewelry.
  • Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
  • Bring extra underwear or diapers for young children. You may want to bring a security item for your child, such as a favorite toy or blanket.
  • Talk to your doctor if you are taking any herbal remedies. Your doctor may want you to discontinue your herbal remedies prior to surgery.
  • Check with your doctor—he/she may want you to avoid vitamin E, aspirin, Advil, naproxen, ibuprofen, Aleve, and other anti-inflammatories.
  • Please notify your surgeon if you develop a cold, persistent cough, fever, or any other health related problems prior to surgery.
  • If you must cancel your surgery, please notify your surgeon’s office to make the necessary arrangements.
  • You have the right to expect appropriate pain control. We may not be able to eliminate your pain, but we can lower pain to a tolerable level. Your physician will write a prescription for pain medications for home use, but {{company.name}} does not fill prescriptions. You will need to be prepared to fill your prescription at a pharmacy of your choice.
  • On the day of your procedure, we will need:
    • A copy of your insurance card(s)
    • A photo ID

Payment of any co-payment, deductible, and estimated co-insurance. Payment may be made by check, cash, cashier’s check, Visa, Discover, or MasterCard.

Surgical Care

What to expect the day of surgery

On the day of surgery, you will meet with the medical team involved in your surgery. This will include your surgeon, the anesthesiologist, an operating room nurse, and various other healthcare professionals.

Getting ready for surgery

You may expect some of the following to happen:

  • You may need to change into a hospital gown.

  • You will receive an ID bracelet.

  • An intravenous catheter (IV) may be inserted in your forearm or other location for anesthetics and other medicines.

  • You may be transported on a stretcher to the operating room.

What does the operating room look like?

The operating room can be an intimidating, busy place. It has a lot of unfamiliar technical equipment. The following is a brief list of equipment you may see in the operating room. Each operating room varies depending on the type of surgery being done:

  • The operating table in the center of the room can be raised, lowered, and tilted in any direction.

  • The operating room lamps allow for brilliant illumination without shadows during surgery.

  • You will be connected to various monitors that keep track of your vital signs. These include your heart rate and blood pressure.

  • A ventilator or breathing machine stands by the head of the operating table. If your procedure is done under general anesthesia, a ventilator will breathe for you during the procedure by moving oxygen and air in and out of your lungs.

  • Sterile instruments to be used during surgery are arranged on a stainless steel table.

  • A diathermy machine, to control bleeding, usually is present.

  • If the surgery needs it, a heart-lung machine, or other specialized equipment, may be brought into the room.

  • The operating room will likely be cold to minimize bacterial growth.

How do you prepare a patient on the day of surgery?

Preparing for Surgery Stop drinking and eating for a certain period of time before the time of surgery. Bathe or clean, and possibly shave the area to be operated on. Undergo various blood tests, X-rays, electrocardiograms, or other procedures necessary for surgery.

What should you do the day before a general anaesthetic?

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery. This includes water, coffee, gum, or mints. If you do, it may be necessary to cancel your surgery. Do not smoke or use chewing tobacco after midnight the night before your surgery.

What are the monitoring needs to be prepared for anesthesia?

Minimum monitoring data (heart rate, blood pressure, peripheral oxygen saturation, end‐tidal carbon dioxide and anaesthetic vapour concentration, if volatile anaesthetic agents or nitrous oxide are used) must be recorded at least every five minutes, and more frequently if the patient is clinically unstable.

What are the steps that must be taken to prepare a patient for surgery in the ambulatory care setting?

The Morning Of Surgery.
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes..
Leave all jewelry and valuable at home..
Bring cases for eyeglasses, contacts and dentures..
Bring insurance ID cards..
Photo ID..
Co-Payments, if required..
Make sure you have a ride home and someone to care for you following surgery..
Remove any body piercings..