What to expect the day of surgery

When you arrive at the hospital

Go to the surgery registration area.
After you check in, you will be directed to the pre-surgery care area.

Pre-surgery care area

Go to the waiting room.
You will be brought back to a pre-surgery care suite.
A nurse will meet with you to complete your care plan.
After you are settled, the person with you on the day of surgery will be invited back to join you.
Your nurse will review what you can expect before and after your surgery.
Your anesthesiologist (doctor) will also meet with you. Your anesthesiologist and surgeon will work with you to choose the right type of anesthesia for your surgery.
Your surgeon will visit with you. He or she will mark the surgery site on your body and answer any questions you may have.
You will be asked to sign a consent form.

Information for your care circle

While you are in surgery and recovery, your care circle can wait in the surgery waiting room.
Your surgery time will vary depending on the type of surgery you are having. Your surgeon will talk with your care circle when your surgery is over.

Source: Allina Health's Patient Education Department, Hip Replacement, fifth edition, ortho-ah-90139

Reviewed By: Allina Health's Patient Education Department experts

First Published: 10/01/2000

Last Reviewed: 05/26/2017

Be prepared

for your hospital stay

Research shows that patients who take an active role in their health care can have better outcomes than those who don't. Here's some simple advice on how you can be prepared for your hospital stay.