Your Surgery: What To Expect

You probably have many questions about what surgery will be like at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. This timeline will give you and your family members a better sense of what to expect, before, during and after surgery.

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Prior to surgery

  1. A nurse from the Admissions Testing Center (ATC) will review your procedure and medical history and call you to confirm that you have had the following tests:
    • Blood work
    • Chest X-ray
    • Electrocardiogram
    • Physical Exam
  2. Depending on your insurance, these tests may be completed at the Hospital Center in the ATC or at your insurance company’s designated provider.
  3. If you feel sick, tell the nurse.  It is not a good idea to have surgery.
  4. If you need to have blood transfusions, you will have talked to your doctor or the nurse from the ATC about this previously.

 Day before surgery

  1. A nurse from the ATC will call you to confirm the time of your surgery
  2. Unless your doctor instructs otherwise, Starting at midnight, NO:
    • Eating
    • Drinking
    • Smoking
    • Candy or gum
  3. Your doctor or the nurse from the ATC will give you special instructions regarding your regular medications, if you have any.
  4. Do not shave the site of your surgery.

 Day of surgery

  1. Dress in loose, comfortable clothing that you will be able to put on after surgery.
  2. Leave your valuables at home.
  3. Arrive at the hospital at least two hours before surgery
  4. Register at the ATC. You will need:
    • Your photo identification card
    • Health insurance card
    • Copayment, if necessary (payable by cash, check, or credit card)
  5. You will receive a hospital identification bracelet and you will be checked before the procedure.
  6. If you are an inpatient:  You will be picked up 90 minutes before the surgery.  If you have any visitors, make sure they come two hours before your scheduled pickup time.
  7. A family member may stay with you until you go into the operating room.
  8. Sick family members should not visit because surgery patients are highly susceptible to infection.

Pre-op (before surgery)

  1. You will be interviewed by the surgical nurse and anesthesiologist. These questions may seem repetitive, but they are important for identification purposes.
  2. Your vital signs are taken.
  3. IV will be started and medication will be given.
  4. You will need to remove all jewelry and eyeglasses or contact lenses.
  5. If space permits, your family can wait with you.

 Preoperative holding

  1. Some of the same questions will be asked, but again, they are important, so please answer them fully.
  2. You will be moved to an operating room (OR) bed and then to the OR. You can expect:
    • It to be cool.
    • A lot of people moving around
    • A lot of instruments and light.
  3. Relax and ask any questions that will help make you feel more comfortable.
  4. Your surgeon will come see you and discuss any questions you may still have.

Surgery

  1. Your vital signs will be monitored, like your blood pressure, heart rate and breathing.
  2. You will receive oxygen through a mask and IV sleep medication.
  3. After you are asleep, you may have a tube inserted down your throat to help with your breathing.

After surgery (PACU)

  1. As you wake up from the anesthesia, you will be resting comfortably in the PACU, a semi-private area, where your vitals will be monitored.
  2. You may be in pain, so please tell your nurses, so they can give you pain medication.
  3. Your throat will be dry, so the nurses will give you ice chips.
  4. Your family will be able to see you as soon as you are fully awake.  This could take an hour.
  5. Your surgeon will come in and discuss the procedure with you.
  6. Most patients stay in the PACU no longer than 1-3 hours. 

Going home

  1. Once you are ready to go home, you will be discharged from the PACU.
  2. The nurses will give you light refreshments and instructions for home.
  3. You CANNOT drive yourself and we will not let you leave unless you have a responsible adult with you.  Your surgery will be cancelled if you do not have a responsible adult with you. 

Inpatient after surgery

  1. You will be transferred from the PACU to a unit, where you will be carefully monitored as your recover.
  2. You will probably have a PCA pump, a machine that allows you to control the amount of pain medicine you can give yourself.
  3. You must walk after surgery as it helps prevent complications.
  4. You may be on a special diet or clear liquids immediately following surgery.
  5. Family can visit during each unit’s established visiting hours

 

110 Irving Street, NW · Washington, DC 20010 · MedStar Washington Hospital Center · (202) 877-7000