If you are planning on having surgery, your physician will give you a packet to bring to the Day Surgery Department within three days of your surgery for a pre-operative visit. During this mandatory visit, you will meet with a nurse, who will clarify all information and complete your pre and post-operative instructions. If the tests are to be done at the hospital, it's very important that the tests are done no longer than three days before. Your physician may have requested reports to be evaluated from another physician's office.

Preparing for Surgery Checklist - Tests, Consents

1. Complete all tests, including blood and urine analysis, chest X-ray and an electrocardiogram (EKG) that your physician has requested.
2. Review and sign a surgery consent form. A parent or legal guardian must sign for a minor (under age 18). The next of kin or legal guardian must sign for a patient who is unable to sign for himself. Guardians must bring proof of guardianship.

Surgery Preparation

Before Surgery - Food and Drink. During surgery, it is important to have an empty stomach to avoid vomiting and associated complications. Therefore, you may be asked not to eat or drink anything several hours before surgery (including water, gum and candy). The nurse will give you instructions.

Getting Ready on the Day of Surgery. Bathe or shower as usual the day of your surgery, removing all makeup and nail polish. At the hospital, you will change into a hospital gown. At this time, you should remove contact lenses. Please be sure to notify your nurse if you have dentures or partial plates.

Please bring:

• A list of your medications.
• Metered dose inhaler, if you use one.
• Most current insurance cards, information for billing, and any pre authorizations required for services.
• A list of any allergies you may have.
• Advance Directives if you wish them to be a part of your medical record (Living Will/Medical Durable Power of Attorney.)

Please do not bring valuables. The hospital cannot be responsible for your jewelry and other valuables. Please leave them at home or give them to a family member to hold for you until after your procedure.

Pre-operation medication You may receive pre-operation medication to help you relax. You should not take your regular medications unless ordered by a physician. You will be instructed which medications you should take the day of surgery. Some medications and herbal products should be discontinued well in advance of your surgery. Please verify that information with your physician.

Surgery We will make final surgical preparations in the Day Surgery area before taking you to the operating room. Your operating room nurse will introduce him or herself, check your identification band and ask a few questions. An Anesthesiologist will speak with you and answer questions before administering your anesthetic.

Surgery Recovery

Post Anesthesia Care/Recovery After surgery, you will be taken to Recovery in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) where your vital signs (blood pressure, pulse and respiration) will be monitored. This room is designed and staffed to care for several patients at a time. You may be aware of other patients and activities going on around you.

Post Surgery At Longmont United Hospital we are concerned about our patients’ pain. While we may not be able to take away all of your pain, we want to make you as comfortable as possible. When pain is controlled, you will not only feel better, you may heal faster, and regain your strength back sooner. Be sure to talk with your nurses and doctors about pain control.

Instructions for Family and Visitors who are Waiting

Family members and visitors may wait in the Surgery Waiting Area during your surgery. A volunteer will be available to help answer their questions. Our nurses and physicians will look for your family there to give updates during and after your surgery.