Preparing for Surgery

Thank you for choosing Mercy for your procedure.  Your visit will begin in Admitting. Once you register, your nurse will greet you and bring you to the pre-surgical area where you will be prepared for your procedure.

Your family will be asked to remain in the waiting room for the initial part of the admission process. They may join you before you are taken to surgery. An anesthesiologist will meet with you prior to your procedure.

While you are in surgery, your family will remain in the waiting area. Following surgery, the surgeon will meet with your family.

After surgery, you may be in the Recovery Room for a period of time to monitor your vital signs and pain levels. From the Recovery Room, you will be taken to a room in the hospital, if you are to be admitted, or you will return to Surgical Care Services for recovery. Your family will be able to be with you at this time. If you are being discharged the same day of your surgery, please have someone available to drive you home.

To have the best experience possible, please follow these guidelines:

Advance Directives:  If you have an Advanced Directive, please bring a copy with you. If you have questions about or would like to develop and Advanced Directive, please contact your primary care physician.

Belongings:  Your belongings will be secured during your surgery. If you are being admitted, please ask your family to take your belongings home.

Children:  If your child is having a procedure, they may bring their favorite toy or blanket.

Clothing:  Please wear loose, comfortable clothing appropriate for your surgery.

Contacts/Glasses:  Please bring a case for your contacts or glasses. If you wear contacts, bring any solutions you may need.

ID and Insurance Cards:  Please bring your insurance card(s) and a valid photo I.D. with you the day of your surgery.

Food or Drink:  DO NOT eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery. This includes smoking, chewing gum and candy.

Jewelry, Money and Valuables:  Please leave money, wallets, purses, jewelry, valuables, etc. at home. Do not wear jewelry, including wedding rings and body piercings the day of the surgery.

Latex Allergy:  Please notify your surgeon if you are allergic to latex.

Make-up/Nail Polish:  Please remove all nail polish and make-up.

Medications:  Please bring a written list of all medications, vitamins and herbs (prescription and over-the-counter) that you are taking. Include the dosage and the number of times you take each medication per day. Consult your surgeon about medications that may need to be discontinued prior to your surgery.

Personal Care:  Please bathe or shower the day of your surgery. Brush your teeth and rinse, being careful not to swallow water. You may use deodorant, but please do not use body lotions.

Transportation:  You will need to bring someone to drive you home after your surgery. If you will be picked up after surgery, please bring a driver’s name and phone number for your nurse.

Before You Go Home

You will receive written discharge instructions prior to going home. Included in these instructions may be:

• Prescriptions for medications you will need to pick up
• Ice packs and instructions on when to use them
• Crutches and/or walker instructions
• When you may or may not participate in activities
• When to follow up with your physician
• Special diet orders
• Care of your surgical site