•       Do not smoke 

•       Plan for someone to take you home and to be with you at least 24 hours after surgery

•       Leave all your valuables at home except for your ID and insurance card if any

The day of surgery:

•       Follow your doctor’s final skin care preparation or bowel preparation

•       Do not wear makeup, jewelry, or perfume

•       Bring your ID and insurance card

•       When you arrive for surgery, check in at the front desk. You will then be accompanied to the operating area to get ready for surgery

•       Your family members will be able to wait for you in the waiting area

•       Your nurse will take you to change your clothes, ask you some questions about your health, and then take you to the preparation room 

•       You will then meet your anesthesiologist and your surgeon before we take you to the operating room

After surgery:

•       You will wake up in the recovery room and we will monitor you closely

•       Please let us know if you feel severe pain or nausea

•       It is normal to feel sleepy just after you wake up. You will gradually feel less sleepy

•       Once you are more awake and have no vomiting, we will give you some fluids and some snacks by mouth

•       We will then sit you up in a recliner chair to make sure you can tolerate being up

•       When it is time to go home, you will change back to your clothes then you can meet with your family

•       We will go over the discharge instructions with you before you leave

•       DO NOT drive yourself home or take the taxi or bus by yourself

At home:

•       You may still feel sleepy and tired. This is normal. Rest when you can and do some light activities every 1-2 hours when you are awake

•       You may feel some pain at the incision site. This is also normal

•       Do not perform heavy activities or do heavy lifting

•       Do deep breathing exercises often to help improve your lung function and reduce the risk of pneumonia

•       A nurse will call you the day following your surgery to check on you and answer any questions you might have

•       Remember to carefully follow your surgeon's wound care instructions

When to call your physician's office:

As instructed by your surgeon or endoscopy doctor.

Click the link for more information on Surgery Clinical Service

Click the link for more information on Gastroenterology Clinical Service

Click the link for more information on Obstetrics & Gynecology Clinical Service

Click the link for more information on Pediatric Surgery Clinical Service