• Patient pamphlet
• Getting ready
• Pre-admission clinic
• before surgery
• Packing
• Your stay
• Children
• Quick summary

Your Hospital Stay

Admission to hospital

Most patients are admitted the same day as their surgery. Check in at the front desk. You will be directed to the surgical admission area to:

Change into a hospital gown.
Sign your Consent for Surgery form (if you have not already done so).
Complete admission procedures.
Receive pre-operative medications and have an intravenous started, if ordered by your doctor.
One family member or friend can stay with you until you are taken to the operating room. They will be asked to take your belongings home for safekeeping and bring them back after your surgery. If you are alone, the staff will transfer your items to your room.

Before going to the operating room, you will be asked to:

Empty your bladder.
Remove your glasses/contact lenses, prosthesis, wigs, body piercings and/or dentures.
You will be moved to the operating room “holding area”. You will be asked questions you have already answered. This is to double-check all your information. Your surgeon or anesthesiologist may visit you there.

You will be taken into the operating room when it is ready. A nurse will stay with you to explain what is happening, answer any questions and offer support. The length of time of your surgery depends on the type of surgery.

After surgery you will be moved to the recovery room. The recovery room nurses will watch you closely. They will give you medication for pain and nausea as needed.
The length of time you are in the recovery room will depend on the type of surgery and how you respond to the anesthetic. It is common to not remember much of your time in the recovery room.

If you are staying overnight, you will be moved to a nursing unit. There are many things that can delay your arrival in your room after surgery. We request that family/friends allow extra time for you to get to your room.