The Day of Surgery

What to Expect on the Day of Surgery at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital

On The Day of Your Surgery:

  • Only take medications as directed by your surgeon or the Pre-operative Clinic team. Take these medications with only small sips of water.
  • If you have diabetes, follow your physician's guidelines about your insulin.
  • Follow provided instructions in the What to Eat or Drink Before Surgery section.
  • Do not chew gum, or eat mints or hard candy.
  • Do not smoke or use tobacco or nicotine products.
  • Shower and wash your hair.
  • You may brush your teeth, but do not swallow water.
  • Remove any makeup and nail polish. During surgery, we will check your circulation by looking at your skin, so it should not be covered.
  • Do not wear contacts, jewelry or anything removable. Wear glasses, if necessary.
  • Bring containers for hearing aids and dentures, if you wear them. We will likely ask you to remove them before surgery begins.

When You Arrive for Your Surgery:

Please come to the location as instructed by your surgeon's office or the pre-op nurse. If they did not give you an arrival time, please arrive 2 hours before the time of your surgery.

Check in:

  • At Northwestern Medicine Grayslake Outpatient Center, enter through Pavilion A. We offer valet service there. Go to the Surgery Registration Desk.
  • At Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, enter through the hospital’s Main Entrance and go to the Surgery Registration Desk in Pavilion E, which is off the right side of the hospital's main lobby.

Pre-surgery Preparation:

Once you are in the pre-op room:

  • You will change into a hospital gown.
  • You must remove glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, dentures, hairpieces, and jewelry/body piercings before you go to the operating room (OR).
  • The nurse will review your medical history and take your temperature, blood pressure, pulse and weight. Be sure to tell the nurse the exact time you last had anything to eat or drink.
  • We will place an IV line in your hand or arm so we can give you fluids and medicines. Based on your specific needs, we may also give you antibiotics or other medicines.
  • To prevent blood clots, you may also wear sequential compression devices (SCDs). SCDs gently squeeze your calves every so often to copy the muscle movement that happens when you walk.
  • If you are a woman under the age of 60, we may do a pregnancy test.
  • Your surgeon will see you.
  • A member of the Anesthesiology team will talk with you about anesthesia and how they will help control your pain during and after surgery.
  • A member of the Surgery team will:
    • Confirm the type of surgery you are having
    • Mark the surgery site (if needed)
    • Review the plan for anesthesia
    • Ask about any past problems you may have had with anesthesia
    • Answer your questions

    We make every effort to begin surgery at your scheduled start time, but delays do occur. We will keep you and your family updated about any delays.

    Before your surgery starts, your surgeon will tell you and your family how long your surgery is expected to last. Once you are in the OR and have received anesthesia, your surgery will begin.

    Visitor Guidelines

    Visitor policies are in place to help ensure a safe, trusted and comfortable care environment for all patients, visitors, physicians and staff. Please refer to nm.org/visitors for current visitor policies.