Patient's Guide to Day Surgery
The staff in the Ambulatory Surgery Department at Mason General Hospital is pleased to serve you during your upcoming surgery.We hope that your entire experience with us will be a positive one. We feel that you need to be as informed as possible to partner with us in your care. So please read the following carefully. If you have any questions, please call us.
Preparing for Day-Surgery
Prior to your surgery, you will need to visit our Pre-Admission Clinic at MGH to pre-register. Be prepared to give the phone numbers and addresses for yourself and next-of-kin.
- Please bring any insurance numbers, cards
or billing forms with you.
This visit will make your admission for surgery easier. - The Pre-Admission Clinic at the hospital
is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
This is a service offered free of charge to surgery and procedure patients. - A visit to the clinic will simplify your
admission the day of your surgery.
The nurse will gather information, make sure all your tests and paperwork are complete, and give you information about your surgery.
Your surgeon may require certain lab tests, an EKG, or x-rays to be performed before surgery. This may be done at the same time you pre-register in the Pre-Admission Clinic. Yor Pre-Admit appointment will be made by your physician/surgeon.
Medications
- Unless otherwise directed by your physician, continue taking all your medications until midnight the night before surgery.
- If your child is the patient, bring a favorite toy.
- Any crutches or slings that you already own should be brought with you, if your surgeon says that you need them.
What to Wear
Wear casual, loose-fitting clothing that can be folded and stored in a small closet or special bag. All patients must wear a hospital gown at admitting time.
What Not to Wear
Remove all makeup including nail polish and perfumes before you arrive. The skin tone of your face and under your nails is an important indicator to surgery and recovery personnel during and after your procedure. Contact lenses (bring your own case), dentures, hearing aids and wigs may be removed just prior to surgery. Any foreign object is a hazard during surgery.
Please, No Jewelry. Remove jewelry (this includes wedding rings and body piercings). With safety in mind, it is very important to remove ALL body jewelry and body piercings prior to admission to the hospital for your surgery. Jewelry left on may cause pressure injuries, depending on your position during the procedure. It may also become trapped in a drape, bed or possibly lost. There is a possibility of receiving a burn during surgery if jewelry is left on. Electrocautery is used to control bleeding and increase wound healing. The electricity from these units can travel along the surface of the body and my lead to superficial burns if contact with metal is made. Jewelry in and around the mouth must be removed to avoid dislocation and aspiration into the lungs while under general anesthesia. You, as the patient, are responsible for having the jewelry removed before surgery. You may return to the body piercing establishment to have the jewelry temporarily removed to prevent damage. For safety purposes, if jewelry is not removed prior to surgery, we reserve the right to remove the jewelry, even possibly by cutting the jewelry off.
When you Arrive
Upon arrival, please check in at the Admissions Desk (at north end of hospital). When you arrive at the Ambulatory Surgery Department, the nurse will prepare you for surgery. You must remove all clothing, including undergarments, and dress in a hospital gown. You will also receive a visit from the anesthetist or anesthesiologist. He or she will want to know your medical history and will discuss anesthesia with you. You will go to surgery when all these things are done and the facility is ready for you.
Accompanying Family and Friends
After you are prepared for surgery, one family member or friend may join you in your room to wait for surgery. Waiting areas for other family and friends are located throughout the hospital. They are welcome to use the cafeteria on the lower level, too.
How long will you be here?
Your stay for outpatient surgery usually lasts four to six hours from the time you check in to the time you leave. Variances are caused most frequently by unforeseen schedule changes (cancellation or emergency additions) and by a patient's particular reaction to medications and anesthetic. We cannot predict exactly when you will be ready to leave. We have a surgery waiting room for the person who will escort you home or, if you prefer, we will call that person when you are ready to leave.
After Surgery
If you have had a general or regional anesthetic, you will go to the recovery room to wake up following surgery. We will keep your family/friend informed of your status. Usually, patients stay for at least one to two hours in the ambulatory Surgery area after their surgery. However, this is dependent on your ability to meet the criteria for discharge and is subject to the discretion of the surgeon and anesthesiologist. The nurse will give you written and verbal instructions regarding your medications and home care. You will be contacted by one of our Ambulatory surgery nurses the day after surgery to see how you are doing. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to ask at this time.
Other Arrangements
You must arrange for someone (not just a cab driver) to drive and escort you all the way to your residence. Drugs, including anesthetics, can alter your judgment and perception and affect your reactions. You will need someone to drive and escort you home to avoid injury to yourself and others. We encourage you to have a responsible adult remain with you 24 hours after surgery.
At Home After Surgery
When you return home, plan to rest the remainder of the day - your body needs it! You may return to work and recreational activities when your surgeon feels that you are capable.
- Do not drink any alcoholic beverages for 24 hours after surgery, or while taking prescription medication.
- Do not drive for at least 24 hours after surgery, or while taking prescription pain medication.
- Do not sign any legal documents for one day after your surgery.
- Have a responsible adult available at your home for the care of any dependents.
- Call your surgeon's office for a follow-up visit and if you have any questions.