The Night Before Your Surgery
Please do not eat or drink anything after midnight before the surgery unless your anesthesiologist has given you special instructions stating otherwise. This includes water, coffee, gum, candy, ice or vitamins. This is very important for your safety and, if not followed, your procedure may have to be delayed or rescheduled. If your child is having surgery, your anesthesiologist will discuss special feeding instructions. If you are taking medications, notify your anesthesiologist and he/she will give you instructions on what to do.
Confirm arrangements for a family member or friend to wait at the surgery centre during your surgery.
The Morning of Your Surgery
You must not eat or drink as per your instructions.
What to Bring:
- Your insurance card and a form of identification.
- Your home medications in the original bottles.
- Any written orders or paperwork from your doctor.
- Comfortable clothing.
- CPAP if staying overnight (if you use one at home).
- A family member or friend who can bring you home after surgery. The caregiver of children under 18 years of age must remain on the premises.
If you would like a friend or family member to stay overnight they are more than welcome to.
Notify your surgeon’s office if you have questions about what you can and cannot do, when you can return to work, and how active you can be.
Your anesthesiologist will discuss your procedure and what to expect before, during, and after your surgery, and will answer any other questions you might have.
After Your Surgery
You will rest in our recovery room under the care of specially trained nurses.
Your anesthesiologist will monitor your condition.
Your physician will discuss your operation with your family member(s). As soon as your nurse and anesthesiologist have finished all of their assessments, our concierge will notify your family member(s) and one visitor at a time can be escorted to the recovery area.
You may be sleepy or dizzy after your surgery. You must have a responsible adult with you to drive you home.
Nurses and physicians will answer your questions and give you instructions. You will receive a written copy of these instructions. Please follow them carefully.
Be prepared to go home and finish your recovery there.
We recommend that someone stay with you the first night after surgery.
Do not make any important decisions, drive, or operate machinery for 24 hours after your surgery.
When You Get Home
Patients often experience minor after-effects following anesthesia, such as drowsiness, muscle aches, sore throat, headaches, or dizziness. Nausea may also be present, but vomiting is less common. These side effects decline rapidly in the hours following surgery, but may take several days before they are gone completely. The majority of patients do not feel up to their typical activities the next day, usually due to tiredness or surgical discomfort. Plan to take it easy for a few days until you feel back to normal.
Notify your surgeon if you have questions about what you can and cannot do, when you can return to work, and how active you can be.
A Crescent City Surgical Centre nurse will contact you at home to check on your progress in the days following your surgery.