Surgery Pre-op Instructions

Preparing for Surgery

Registration and Pre-Operative Clinic (POC)
Please call 419-998-4607, option 3 to register for your surgery.

• Expect your appointment to last approximately 60-90 minutes. Your appointment time may be longer if your history is extensive, or you are scheduled for additional services in another department.
• Dress casually for your appointment.
• Bring your insurance card(s) and photo identification.
• Bring a copy of your living will and / or durable power-of-attorney form(s) if you have them.
• Pre-op staff will review your list of home medications and instruct you how to manage your medications in the days leading up to your surgery.
• You may need additional testing, such as an electrocardiogram (EKG), blood work and x-rays.
• After your pre-op appointment, you may be asked to make a follow-up appointment with your primary care provider or other specialist to clear you for surgery.
• If you are going to be late or need to cancel your pre-op appointment, please contact the Pre-Operative Clinic at 419-998-4690.

Directions to the Pre-Op Clinic:

• Enter the main entrance referenced on the map.
• Take the elevator up to the Welcome Center.
• Check in at the Welcome Center desk to register.
• Using the map below, follow the green arrow path to the outpatient surgery pre-operative testing window.

Click for a downloadable pdf

Day of Surgery

• Unless otherwise directed by your physician, you may drink clear liquids up to 3 hours prior to your scheduled surgery start time. This may include water, Gatorade, black coffee, apple juice, or prescribed carb-loading supplement. For example, if your surgery is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m., you must stop drinking clear liquids by 5 a.m. Note: The Pre-Op Clinic will be able to offer more specific instructions, such as for children who drink breast milk or formula.
• Please plan to arrive in the LMHS Surgery Department two hours before your scheduled surgery time. Your surgeon’s office will confirm your surgery time in advance.
• Please do not smoke on the day of your surgery.
• Take your medicine as directed.
• Take a shower and brush your teeth.
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and remove all makeup and nail polish.
• Bring to the Hospital:
  
  • Insurance card and photo ID.
• A list of the medicines you take and their dosages.
• A copy of your Living Will or Healthcare Power of Attorney paperwork.
• A form of payment for your insurance co-pay or deductible.
• A case to store your eyeglasses, contact lenses, hearing aids or dentures.
• Your CPAP / BiPAP machine and pacemaker card if applicable.
• Do not bring any unnecessary valuables with you like jewelry or electronics.
• If you do not bring a photo I.D., your surgery may be significantly delayed or cancelled.
• You will be asked to remove your glasses, contacts, dentures, hearing aids and all jewelry before surgery.
• You must bring another responsible adult with you that will be able to drive you home and stay with you for 24 hours after surgery. They should also be someone you trust to help listen to your discharge instructions as you may experience some gaps in your memory if you receive anesthesia.
• Please do not come if you are not feeling well. You can cancel and reschedule your procedure by calling your surgeon’s office.
• If you develop any symptoms of the COVID-19 virus, please notify your surgeon’s office immediately.

Directions to the Surgery Desk:

• Enter the main entrance referenced on the map.
• Take the elevator up to the Welcome Center.
• Check in at the Welcome Center desk to register.
• Using the map below, follow the green arrow path to the outpatient surgery check-in desk.

Click for a downloadable pdf

• When you arrive in surgery, you will be greeted by the surgery team and check in at the surgery desk.
• Your caregiver / responsible adult may be asked for their phone number for us to provide text updates to them throughout your surgical journey.
• You will meet your nurse and anesthesia provider, who will verify your health information.
• You will receive an IV catheter so we may give you medications before, during and after your procedure.
• Any remaining testing will need to be completed, such as a urine sample, blood sample or EKG.
• You will be taken to the operating room and moved onto the operating table.
• The room may feel cold, but warm blankets are available for your comfort.
• Your nurses will attach monitoring devices to you to monitor you throughout the procedure.
• Our anesthesia team offers a comprehensive pain management program at Lima Memorial. We will use a combination of therapies to address and minimize your pain throughout your surgical stay.
• After surgery you will be taken to the recovery area.

After Surgery

• A recovery nurse will provide you with one-on-one care.
• Your nurse will monitor your vital signs and pain closely.
• You may be in recovery for 60 minutes or longer if you received general anesthesia.
• Your surgeon will consult with your designated caregiver / responsible adult following surgery.
• If you are an inpatient, you will be taken to a floor within the hospital to continue your recovery.
• If you are an outpatient, you will be taken back to the Surgical Outpatient Unit, where you were admitted before surgery. We will address your anesthetic recovery and any pain or nausea you may experience before discharge and ensure you are given verbal and written instructions to prepare you to recover at home.
• You can pick up your first prescription fill from our outpatient pharmacy before you are discharged, saving you a trip to the pharmacy on the way home. We will utilize our text platform to contact your caregiver / responsible adult when your prescription is ready, sometimes while you are still in recovery.
• If you are discharged from the Surgical Outpatient Unit, please expect a follow-up call from us 1 - 2 days after discharge to see how you’re doing.