Surgical Services
Having surgery?
Here’s what you and your family need to know.
You have been scheduled for surgery at Saint Mary’s Health Care. We look forward to seeing and serving
you. You should have received information from Saint Mary’s
that informed you of the date of your surgery, the time of
your surgery, and what time you should arrive.
Where to Check In: Surgery Registration Office.
(Take the visitor elevators to the 3rd floor of the hospital.)
Please review the information on this Web page to learn how
to prepare for your surgery. The information is divided into
useful sections for your reference. Sections include:
Frequently Asked Questions
Surgery Preparations At a Glance
Five Stage of Your Surgery
General Information
If you have any questions about this information, or about
any other aspect of your surgery, please call your surgeon
or call us at 752-6029 or 752-6705.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
May I eat or drink before surgery?
Unless otherwise instructed, you may not eat or drink anything,
not even gum or candy, for eight hours before your surgery.
Do not drink alcohol or use recreational drugs within 24 hours
of surgery. For special circumstances – such as those
affecting very small children – please check with your
doctor.
May I smoke before surgery?
You must refrain from smoking or chewing tobacco for at least
eight hours before your surgery.
Should I take my medications? Which ones?
Most blood pressure, breathing, seizure and heart medications
should be taken the morning of the surgery with a small sip
of water. You may also take eye drops and inhalers. DO NOT
TAKE diuretics (water pills) or antacids (Maalox, Tums).
One week before surgery stop taking Aspirin, ibuprofen and
similar medications. Two weeks before surgery stop taking
herbal megavitamins and weight loss products.
If you take Coumadin or other blood-thinning medications,
you must ask the doctor who prescribed these medications how
to adjust their dosage around your surgery.
DIABETICS: Please consult the healthcare provider that manages
your diabetes for instructions. Generally, STOP taking Glucophage
or Glucovance 24 hours before surgery and do not resume until
you are eating and drinking fluids adequately. Guidelines
for insulin depend on the insulin you are taking – this
is why it is important to contact your own physician.
PLEASE BRING A LIST OF ALL MEDICATIONS AND DOSAGES YOU ARE
CURRENTLY TAKING.
How long will I be in the hospital?
The length of your stay in the hospital depends on the type
of surgery you are having and the outcome of your surgery.
Types of surgery:
- Outpatient – You’ll arrive at the hospital
the morning of surgery and return home later the same day.
- Short Stay – You’ll arrive at the hospital
the morning of surgery and return home later that day or
the next morning.
- Inpatient – You’ll arrive at the hospital
the morning of surgery and stay one or more days following
surgery.
May I shower or bathe before surgery?
Please shower or bathe the night before surgery.
When can I shower or bathe after surgery?
Information regarding bathing and showering at home after
your surgery will be provided upon your discharge from Saint
Mary’s.
Can I use make-up before surgery?
Use minimal make-up – if any – and please, no
nail polish.
What should I wear?
Wear comfortable clothes and bring as few personal belongings
with you as possible. If you are to be an inpatient, a family
member or friend may bring your things to your room following
surgery.
What should I bring with me?
• Insurance information cards
• List of previous surgeries and/or hospitalizations
• Copy of advanced directives (if you have them)
• Inhalers or insulin you use
• List of all medications and dosages you are currently
taking
• Eyeglass or contact lens cases
CHILDREN: Should have two adults with them as well as a favorite
toy or blanket.
What should I leave at home?
• DO NOT bring jewelry, money, credit cards, or any other valuables.
• Saint Mary’s is not responsible for the loss of these items.
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Surgery Preparations at a Glance
Two weeks before surgery:
• STOP taking herbal megavitamins or weight loss products
One week before surgery:
• STOP taking aspirin, ibuprofen or similar medications
24 hours before surgery:
• STOP using alcohol or recreational drugs
• STOP taking Glucophage or Glucovance
8 hours before surgery:
• STOP eating or drinking
• STOP smoking or chewing tobacco
The morning of surgery:
• TAKE your usual blood pressure, breathing, seizure and heart medications
with a small sip of water (if okayed by your doctor)
• DO NOT TAKE diuretics (water pills) or antacids (Maalox, Tums)
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Five Stages of Your Surgery
1 - Before Your Surgery
Once you have been scheduled for surgery, someone from our
Pre-Registration Department will call you to verify your insurance
information. You may also receive a postcard notification
by mail.
You may also receive a call from a nurse in our Pre-Admission
Services Department (PAS). The nurse will ask questions about
your health so that we can optimize a care plan for you. Depending
on the nature of your procedure, you may need to visit the
PAS prior to surgery.
You will be required to arrive at Saint Mary’s one
to two hours prior to the scheduled time of your surgery.
(Call your surgeon’s office with questions about arrival
time.) This will give us sufficient time to prepare you for
your procedure. Should you develop any illness – even
a cold or flu – prior to your surgery, please notify
your surgeon.
2 - During Your Surgery: Anesthesia
Your surgeon will decide on the type of anesthesia you will
be given based on your general health and the specific procedure
you are undergoing.
Local Anesthesia is given by injection. It is generally given
by the surgeon to numb a specific area.
Regional Anesthesia is also given by injection, but it is
usually given by an anesthesia doctor or registered nurse
specialist. It is used to numb an entire section of the body,
such as an arm, eye, leg or everything below the waist.
General Anesthesia is injected through an intra-venous catheter
in your arm or through a facemask. It places you in a deep
state of sleep so that your body is able to tolerate a surgical
procedure without adverse reaction. The drugs used to produce
this state are among the most powerful in the practice of
medicine. This requires that an anesthesia professional remain
with you at all times during surgery in order to adjust your
medications as possible.
Please discuss anesthesia options with your surgeon well
before surgery.
3 - After Your Surgery
Following surgery, you may either be taken to the Post Anesthesia
Care Unit (PACU) or returned to the outpatient area. Patients
taken to the PACU generally remain a minimum of one hour and
are then moved to the outpatient area, the short stay area
or an inpatient unit.
4 - Leaving Saint Mary’s After Your Surgery
Inpatients are discharged from the hospital at 11:00 a.m.
Inpatients must make arrangements to be driven home upon discharge.
Inpatients who are less than 18 years old must have a parent
or legal guardian present to be discharged.
5 - Recovering at Home After Your Surgery
Your doctor will provide special instructions to ease your recovery. In general,
you should rely on a caregiver to monitor your condition, obtain prescriptions
and assist with medical devices for the first 24 hours. You should try to rest
and relax. Do things slowly and in moderation. Do not drive, operate heavy machinery,
drink alcohol or make complex or legal decisions for at least 24 hours. Follow
the instructions you will be given for diet, exercise, medication, personal hygiene,
breathing techniques and wound care.
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General Information
Parking
Parking is provided free of charge. Park in the North or South
visitor parking lot and bring your parking ticket with you
to be validated. (See the map on the back of this brochure.)
No Smoking
Saint Mary’s is a smoke-free facility. For the health,
comfort and safety of our patients, visitors and associates,
smoking is not permitted anywhere on our campus.
Cellular Phone Use
Use of cellular phones is permitted in the Lobby and Cafeteria
ONLY. These phones can interfere with our patient monitors
and equipment.
Visitor parking lots are located at 200 Jefferson Avenue,
between Wealthy and Cherry. Enter through the main entrance
of the hospital and take the elevators to the 3rd floor.
Any Questions?
Call (616) 752-6705 or (616) 752-6029 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
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