Same Day Surgery: How to Prepare 
About one week before your scheduled procedure, you will speak with a surgical nurse for pre-admission testing on the telephone. During this call, the nurse will give you specific instructions on how to get ready for your day surgery.
If you have questions about your procedure, write them down so you can make sure to ask them during this call.
Generally, patients prepare for same day surgery by:
- Avoiding specific medications or supplements that can influence anesthesia, such as Vitamin E or ibuprofen, for up to five days before surgery.
- Refraining from eating anything after midnight the day before surgery.
- Ceasing all liquids at least 4 hours before surgery.
- Removing all jewelry, piercings, and nail polish.
- Leaving valuables and essentials at home (such as wallet, pocketbook, watch, cell phone, personal music player, and eyeglasses).
- Wearing comfortable, casual clothes that are easy to pull on and off, such as sweat pant and zip-up sweat shirt, to the hospital.
- Bringing your insurance card with you.
- Bringing a copy of your Advance Directives with you.
- Arranging for a ride home with a responsible adult who can sign your discharge papers. You will not be able to drive after having any kind anesthesia. Please know that it is not safe for you to take a cab home. We ask that a responsible adult be present to receive the discharge instructions, drive you home afterwards, and that someone be home with you afterwards for a few hours to make sure you are recovering well from surgery.
Same Day Surgery: What to Expect
To help you get ready for your visit to Same Day Surgery, we will walk you through each of the steps for your visit:
- Pre-admission testing
- Registration
- Preparation
- Surgery
- Recovery
- Discharge
- Going Home
Pre-Admission Testing
Pre-admission testing is a brief telephone interview with a surgical nurse to gather information about your specific needs. The call is scheduled for a specific time and day. During the call, the surgical nurse will ask you:
- Your height and weight
- What your doctor has explained about your surgery
- What prescription medications, herbal supplements, or vitamins you take, including doses and number taken per day.
- What allergies you have
- If you smoke
- Your general medical history
- What questions or concerns you have
- Who will be driving you home after surgery
- Name and phone number of an emergency contact
The surgical nurse will also give you specific instructions, which you must follow for your own safety, regarding: eating, drinking, and medication use before surgery. Your doctor will give you specific instructions to follow. In most cases, you should not eat or drink (not even water, coffee or gum) after midnight the night before your surgery. Please note that improper preparation may delay or postpone your scheduled surgery.
During pre-admission testing, you will be given a specific time and day for your same day surgery. Please arrive on time or a little early.
Registering for your Surgery
When you arrive, you must check in at Outpatient Admitting Office, which is located on the ground floor on the back of the hospital. An admitting clerk will confirm your insurance, address information, and ask you to sign a confidentiality form before escorting you to the Same Day Surgery department.
Surgery Preparation
To prepare you for surgery, a nurse will supply you with a hospital gown, bathrobe, slippers, and hair cover. Your clothes, shoes, and other items will be stored for you in a plastic bag labeled with your name.
Once you have changed, we will make you comfortable in a same day surgery bay. While you recline, we will check your blood pressure and temperature, and, if specified, start an IV. The nurse will confirm your surgical site. Your doctor will initial the site, if applicable.
You may have a family member or friend with you during preparation. But space is limited, so additional visitors may be asked to wait in the reception area for Same Day Surgery.
Surgery
Once you have been properly prepared and the operating room is ready, you will be taken to the holding area just outside the operating room on a surgical gurney, with a safety belt in place.
In the holding area, you will be greeted by your surgical team: the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and nurse(s). One or more of these professionals will ask you your name, birth date, and what procedure you are having done. This is a regular system used today in hospitals to ensure accuracy and safety.
The doctor will explain his or her plans for the operation. You will have a chance to ask any other questions. You will then be asked to give your written consent to the procedure. The anesthesia provider will review the type, effects, and process for pain control during the procedure. With your approval, the anesthesia provider at this point will then begin preparing to administer anesthesia.
Recovery from Same Day Surgery
After surgery you will spend time in the recovery room, where you will be monitored and assessed as you come out of anesthesia.
If you have family members waiting, the surgeon will take time to tell them how everything went and offer instructions on post-operative care and expectations.
Once you are fully awake, you will return to a Same Day Surgery bay where you can have a guest, watch television, and have a drink or snack.
At this point, you will probably have a visit from your surgeon during which you will be given verbal and written information on pain management, dressing care, diet, and activity. Your physician will tell you what prescriptions he or she is writing for you to use at home to control pain or other symptoms.
Our nursing staff will continually assess your readiness to go home throughout this time. Once you have met your discharge criteria, you will be ready to return home.
Discharge
Prior to discharge, you will have a chance to use the lavatory and change back into your clothes and given a seat.
At this point, we ask the individual who will be driving you home to be present for the discharge instructions. Your nurse will go over all the doctor’s instructions for:
- Rest
- Diet and liquids
- Medication
- Pain control
- Incision site dressing care
- Expected symptoms
- Activity level or restrictions
- Expected date for return to normal activities
- When you should be seen by the doctor for a follow up appointment
You and the person who is driving you home will be asked to sign the discharge instructions. You will be given a copy of the document, which describes your post-operative care.
A nurse will escort you to the car to help you get safely seated and headed home.
At any point, after you return home, if your condition worsens, instead of improves, please call your doctor or the hospital’s emergency room (603) 542-1822.
Going Home after Day Surgery
Please plan on taking it easy for at least 24 hours after your same day surgery. It is common to feel a little “slowed down” after you get home. It is normal to be sore, weak, shaky, or groggy.
Do not drive, operate machinery, or drink alcoholic beverages. Avoid making any important decisions or signing any legal papers. Avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activity. For the first 24 hours, take only those medications specifically ordered or approved by your doctor.
Slowly work back up to your normal diet. Drink plenty of water. Plan to drink 2-3 additional glasses of water after you get home. Start off by eating light foods, such as crackers, toast, soups, jello, or juice.
Take any prescription medication on time as directed by your doctor and follow any other advice in your discharge instructions.
Keep a close eye on yourself. Should you experience any red flag symptoms, please contact your doctor or hospital emergency room (603) 542-1822.
Same Day Surgery: Red Flag Symptoms
Keep an eye on your progress as you recover from day surgery. If your condition worsens, contact your doctor or the hospital emergency room (603) 542-1822.
Some of the red flag symptoms you would want to call your doctor about include:
- Bleeding that is excessive or increasing.
- Fever above 101°F.
- Pain that is not controlled by using the prescribed medication or over-the-counter medication.
- Fainting or lightheadedness.
- Inability to keep any liquids down for more than a 24-hour period.
- Any other symptoms your doctor or nurse has asked you to be on the lookout for.
Advance Directives
Advance Directives are instructions for your health care providers. They express your beliefs and wishes on important issues related to “lifesaving” care.
This document is intended to be used if you are unable to communicate your choices. The best time to create your Advance Directives is before you enter the hospital.
Advance Care Planning can be done with a family member or a staff member. Valley Regional Hospital’s Case Management Department can provide you with assistance in preparing your plan.
The booklet, Advanced Care Planning, will help you understand the issues and documents that comprise a plan. You may download, view, or print this booklet.
For questions about Advance Directives, call Valley Regional Hospital’s Case management Department at 542-3442.
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