Day of Procedure or Surgery

Upon Waking Up

If instructed, repeat the Baptist Health showering instructions.
You may brush your teeth, but do not swallow the water.
Some medications are permitted the morning of your procedure or surgery with a small sip of water.
If you are an ERAS patient and have been provided with a carbohydrate drink, drink one bottle two hours prior to the procedure or surgery. If you are diabetic, follow your provider’s instructions.

What to Wear

Do not bring or wear valuables, including jewelry.
Body piercings must be removed to prevent infection risk.
You may wear glasses, dentures, and hearing aids; these will be removed before the procedure or surgery.
Do not wear makeup, deodorant, perfumes, lotions, or contact lenses.
Wear clean, loose clothing that is comfortable and easy to put back on afterward, including low-heeled shoes with nonslip soles.

What to Bring

A list of all medications you are currently taking
Your insurance card, a valid photo ID, and a form of payment
A copy of your advance directive or living will, if not already on file
Any forms or imaging provided by your doctor
A case or container for glasses, dentures, and hearing aids
Existing implant card(s)
Your CPAP machine and inhalers, if instructed (required for overnight stays)
Any durable medical equipment (walker, crutches, etc.) if instructed
A designated responsible adult to drive you home

The facility will advise you on the number of allowed friends or family who can accompany you. During your procedure or surgery, your family may wait in the designated waiting area. Typically, only one or two visitors are allowed in pre- and postoperative clinical areas to support a calm, quiet, and private environment.

We understand the importance of visitors to your healing. Visitor guidelines may change during adverse events such as environmental issues or pandemics.

Please refer to the visitor guidelines page for the most current information.

Upon Arrival

Arrive at your confirmed time, typically two hours before your scheduled procedure or surgery.
Use locations and directions to navigate to your designated facility.
Upon check-in, designate a caregiver to receive updates during and after your procedure or surgery.
The operating room nurse will update your caregiver during the procedure, and recovery staff will update them once you arrive in recovery.
If someone else will pick you up later, provide the nurse with their contact information.

Please note that additional forms may need to be signed at check-in.

Preprocedural or Presurgical Area

After checking in, you will be taken to the preoperative area to meet your care team. Anesthesia will be managed by your anesthesia provider and care team. They will review your medical and surgical history and explain your anesthesia options. If applicable, your proceduralist or surgeon will mark the site being operated on.

You will then be prepared for your procedure or surgery.

Your anesthesia and nursing team will ask you to confirm your procedure and verify your name, date of birth, and allergies.
You may receive intravenous fluids—liquids and medications delivered through a vein.
You may feel cold; a warm blanket will be provided to help maintain normal body temperature.
Compression sleeves or devices may be applied to your legs to help circulation and prevent blood clots.
The nursing staff and surgeon will verify your procedure and answer questions. A special skin marker may be used for surgical site identification.
Your anesthesiologist may give you medication to help you relax and may administer an antibiotic to prevent infection.
You will then be taken to the procedural or surgical room.

In the Recovery Room

After your procedure or surgery, you will be moved to the Postanesthesia Care Unit (PACU) or recovery room, where specially trained nurses will care for you. You will remain there until you are ready for discharge or admission.

Your doctor will provide the recovery nurse with a complete report on your procedure and condition.
Due to anesthesia, you may not remember all postoperative events.
Your length of stay depends on your progress; you will be monitored until awake and stable.
Once anesthesia wears off, your nurse will encourage early activity to support strength, circulation, and recovery.
Depending on your procedure, your nurse may assist you with sitting up and walking.
Your surgeon will speak with your designated caregiver afterward.
Specific written and verbal instructions regarding medications, diet, and home care will be provided before discharge.

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