Day of Surgery

During the pre-surgery interview, you will be given instructions to follow prior to your procedure. They will include the following list, plus any additional orders from your physician. 

Instructions to follow prior to procedure:

• Do not eat or drink anything - including water, candy, or chewing gum - for the specified time before your surgery, as instructed during your pre-op interview. You may brush your teeth or have a sip of water to take your regular medication. If, by mistake, you eat or drink anything, notify your physician or One Day Surgery at 573-883-7767 before coming to the hospital.

• Use special soap if your doctor has directed you to do so.

• Remove all make-up and nail polish.

• Please leave all jewelry, money and other valuables at home. 

• No contact lenses or body piercing items can be worn in surgery. Please wear your glasses on the day of surgery.

• Wear comfortable or loose fitting clothing.

• Notify your doctor if you become ill; develop a cold, persistent cough, or fever; or if there are any changes in your condition prior to your surgery date.

We ask you to arrive at the Surgery Center at your scheduled arrival time which is usually one hour prior to your schedule surgery procedure time.

Please bring with you:

• Your insurance card for information verification

• A list of your regular medicines. 

• Overnight clothes (if necessary), such as a robe and slippers. 

Surgery patients are registered the day of admission in the surgery registration area.  After you are registered, please be seated in the surgery waiting area.  A surgery team member will escort you into your private room. Once in your private room, several tasks will need to be completed by the nurse and nurse aide to prepare you for your procedure including:

• Weight and vital signs

• Signing of surgical consent

• Insertion of intravenous line (IV) 

• Application of sequential compression device to promote circulation if needed

• Cleansing of surgical site with special antibacterial soap if indicated

• Anesthetist will visit with you and discuss your health history and plans for anesthesia

Your family and friends will be asked to remain in the waiting room until you have been prepared for your procedure.  A surgery team member will escort them to your room when these tasks have been completed.  They may remain at your bedside until time for your procedure.  And, they are welcome to return to your private room when you awake and oriented until discharge.