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.
First Published: 10/01/2000
Last Reviewed: 10/01/2020