Day of Surgery

What to Expect for Your Surgery in the Northwest Suburbs

Please arrive at the time the pre-surgical nurse told you. Plan ahead, consider weather, traffic, and parking. If you arrive late, your procedure may be delayed. Two adult visitors may accompany you on the day of surgery.

Do not eat or drink anything starting at midnight the night before your surgery. You may hear the term “NPO,” which means nothing by mouth. However if you must take a medication the morning of surgery, you may take it with a sip of water.

Once in the pre-operating room, we will ask you to change into a hospital gown. You must also remove glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, dentures, jewelry and hairpieces. It is best if you leave all valuables at home.

The nurse will review your medical history and take your temperature, blood pressure and pulse. Be sure to tell the nurse the exact time you last ate or drank and the last time you took your medications.

We will ask your visitors to wait in the waiting area while we prepare you for your surgery. This will allow us to maintain your privacy while we complete your preparations. We will place an IV (into the vein) line in your hand or arm so we can give you fluids and medications. Based on your specific needs, antibiotics or other medications may be given. Once your IV is placed, your visitors may rejoin you in your pre-operative room.

For specific procedures you may wear sequential compression devices (SCDs) to assist blood flow and prevent blood clots. SCDs gently squeeze your calves at specific intervals to copy the muscle movement that occurs when you walk.

Your surgeon, anesthesiologist, nurse anesthetist or physician assistant may visit you before surgery. If you have already met with the surgeon and anesthesiologist, you may not see them before your surgery. If you do have questions for them, please ask your nurse.

For your safety, a member of the surgery team will also meet with you to:

• 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

Please note, for your safety, you may be asked the above questions by different caregivers at various times.

Your original surgery time may change. If your surgical arrival time changes you will be contacted by one of our surgical associates. Please do not schedule anything else on the day of your surgery in case of time changes.

Here are some additional things you need to know for the day of surgery:

• Do not bring jewelry, a wallet/purse or other valuables to the hospital.
• You may not wear any jewelry during surgery.
• Do not wear contact lenses to surgery.
• Plan to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes that will fit over bandages and splints.
• Please bring any radiology films or discs if you have them.
• If you are a female under the age of 60, we may perform a pregnancy test.
• If you use glasses please bring them, as you will need them to review and sign papers.
• If you are asthmatic, please bring your inhaler(s).
• If you take many medications or are unable to remember what you take and when, please bring a current list with last times taken.
• If your surgery requires you to stay overnight, please leave your bag in the car until your room is ready.

If you at any time have questions or concerns regarding your surgery, you may call your surgeon, Pre-surgical Testing until 5 pm at 815.759.4167, or Same Day Surgery the morning of at 815.759.4700.