Questions about Surgery

You will have the opportunity to discuss any last minute questions or concerns with your surgeon the day of your surgery. It is prudent to have these written down so that you may not forget about them. Your surgeon will visit you in the preoperative area before you go to the operating room.

Treatment for Anxiety/ Nervousness before Surgery
Should you desire any therapy for your nervousness/anxiety before surgery please inform your preoperative nurse so that we can expediently provide you with the necessary therapy. Although a certain level of anxiety is normal prior to surgery, we do think that appropriate therapy may be necessary in some circumstances.

Visitors
You will be able to bring some of your friends and family along with you the day of your surgery. Although our preoperative rooms are spacious they may be insufficient for many visitors. Therefore, we recommend that you invite your closest family members or friends the day of your surgery. As a patient, you may also require further tests and preparatory procedures prior to your surgery; many visitors may increase your anxiety as well as provide some interference with the penultimate steps needed to be taken prior to your surgical procedure. Visitors are generally not allowed in the Recovery Room. Your relatives will be directed to a waiting area outside the operating room. The area is operated by some of our many volunteers. One of our operating room staff will inform your family and friends of your surgical progress. When the surgery is finished, the surgeon will be able to visit with them and answer any questions that they may have. Information regarding your health will be released to your family members or friends only with your permission. Please address this beforehand with your surgeon and anesthesiologist. While waiting, your family and friends may visit the many facilities offering food and beverages for their needs. The waiting room volunteer is a good resource for directions to these areas. Your friends and family will be informed when you are in the process of being moved to your room.

Recovery from Anesthesia/ The Recovery Room

This is also called the PACU-the Post Anesthesia Care Unit. This is the area where your anesthesiologist and your recovery room nurse provide your needs in further awakening from anesthesia. The team monitors your vital signs, address your pain management needs, and prepare you for the next step in your recovery-either the Phase II or your hospital room. You will stay in the recovery room until the majority of your anesthesia wears off. Most patients spend about one hour in the PACU. However, this is dependent upon the type of surgical procedure that you underwent, your individual response to anesthesia, or the hospital room availability. At our institution some patients may be recovered from anesthesia on the Intensive Care Unit.