Day of Surgery

Preparing for your surgery day: What to expect and how to prepare 

At Banner Health, we want your surgery day to go as smoothly and stress-free as possible. As you prepare for your procedure, your surgeon and care team will be by your side to guide you and answer any questions. Follow the steps below to help you feel prepared and confident for the day of your surgery.

How to prepare for the day of surgery

On the day of your surgery, it's essential to follow the instructions provided by your doctor. To stay organized, you can also use our pre-surgery checklist. Here are some general guidelines to keep in mind before arriving at the hospital:

• Bathing: Take a bath or shower, but avoid using any powder, lotion, deodorant, perfume, aftershave or makeup.
• Oral hygiene: You can brush your teeth or rinse your mouth, but make sure to spit out all the liquid.
• Medications: Follow your doctor's instructions regarding any medications you should take on surgery day.
• Arrival time: Unless directed otherwise by your doctor, plan to arrive at the hospital two hours before your scheduled surgery time.  

Arriving at the hospital

Make sure someone else—a family member or friend—drives you. This person should stay during your procedure. Here’s what you can expect upon arrival at the hospital:

1. Check-in: You’ll check in at the admissions desk.
2. Registration: If you haven’t pre-registered, you’ll complete your registration at this time.
3. Insurance: Be prepared to pay any required co-insurance or deductibles, depending on your insurance plan.
4. ID bracelet: You will receive a hospital ID bracelet—confirm that your name and birth date are correct.

Pre-op: Preparing for surgery

Once the check-in process is complete, you’ll head to the pre-op area to change into a gown, cap and paper slippers. During pre-op, the following will happen:

• Anesthesiologist consultation: Your anesthesiologist may visit you to explain the anesthesia process and answer any questions.
• Surgeon consultation: Your surgeon will go over the details of your procedure, what to expect, and address any concerns.
• IVs and monitoring: Staff may attach IVs and monitoring equipment, typically done in pre-op, though young patients may have this done in the operating room. 

What happens during surgery 

While you're in surgery, your family and friends will wait in the designated surgery waiting area. We are committed to keeping your loved ones updated throughout the procedure. Here are some things to know: 

• At least one person should remain in the waiting area in case your doctor or nurse needs to provide updates. 
• After your surgery, your surgeon will give your family or friends details about how the surgery went, with your consent.

Post-surgery: Recovery and discharge

After surgery, you’ll go through our recovery process. Your care team will monitor your progress and ensure you’re comfortable. Before you leave, your doctor will provide any necessary prescriptions to help manage pain or other post-surgery needs.

Why choose Banner Health for your surgery?

At Banner Health, our world-renowned medical team is dedicated to providing you with the best care possible. We focus on making your surgery efficient, comfortable and as stress-free as possible. If you have any questions or need more information about your upcoming procedure, don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor or care team.