Urogynecology & Pelvic Surgery Center - Gynecologist, Northern, VA & Washington, DC

Pre-Operative Instructions

On the Day of Surgery

Please arrive at the time your surgeon asks you to be at the Hospital.
A nurse will greet you in the Center for Outpatient Surgery and place an arm band on your wrist, identifying you and your surgeon. If you have allergies, a red band will be used to alert the staff. You will be asked many times throughout your stay to state your name and the procedure you are having. DO NOT be alarmed, this is a patient safety standard used in all hospital settings.
Family and friends are welcomed but space is limited. They will be asked to wait in the surgical waiting room. After the surgery, the surgeon will come and find them. Your visitors should expect a one hour period that you will spend in the recovery area, and then you will be taken to a private room. Visitors may visit with you until you are discharged.
We want you to be very satisfied and give you the Best Care at the Best Hospital. However, there are times when we have no control over the operating room schedule and you may be delayed due to an emergency or an unforeseen event. We will make every attempt to keep you informed. Please bring a book or something to occupy you while you are waiting.
Before you enter the operating room you will be asked to remove all jewelry, makeup, contact lenses, dentures, and underwear. This is very important and is for patient safety.
You will meet your anesthesiologist in the holding area of the operating room.
The operating room area temperature is kept cool; please ask for a warmed blanket if you are uncomfortable. A safety strap is placed across your body. All members of the team will identify you and your procedure before they begin. Your privacy and respect is of utmost importance to all of us. Someone will be with you at all times.
After your procedure you will be taken to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). A nurse will be with you the entire time. The length of stay depends on your surgery and the type of anesthesia you received. The nurse will keep you warm and comfortable. Pain Control is very important, you will be asked to rate your pain on a scale of 0-10 after the surgery. You may not leave the PACU until your level is 5 or below. Sometimes bed availability keeps you in the PACU area longer then needed, the staff will make every attempt to keep your family informed.
After the PACU you will be taken to your room and your family and friends may visit with you. Your physician will write your post operative orders for the Nursing Staff on the unit.