Please follow these steps carefully prior to your surgery to help ensure your procedure goes as smoothly as possible.

Contact your surgeon or physician prior to your surgery date if the following questions arise:

• You are not sure what time to arrive at the hospital on the day of your procedure.
• You experience any changes in your health between your most recent visit to your physician and the day of your procedure, even minor ones like a temperature, cough or a cold.
• You suspect you are pregnant. Anesthesia and medication may be harmful to the developing fetus.
• You have a latex allergy, diabetes, heart conditions, kidney or liver failure.
• You take medications on a regular basis. Your physician/surgeon may have guidance about which medications you should or should not take on the day of your procedure.

Note: Do not take any medications containing aspirin, vitamin E, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, herbs, or weight loss products for at least seven (7) days prior to the procedure. If you are an outpatient, wait at least one day following your procedure before resuming these medications. Be sure to notify your physician, if you have taking any of these medications prior to surgery.

After Midnight the day of your surgery

• Do not smoke after midnight the day of your surgery.
• Do not eat or drink anything (including water, gum, mints, hard candy) after midnight the day of surgery, unless you are directed otherwise by your surgeon. Undigested food or fluids in the stomach can cause complications, and surgery will be postponed if you forget to follow these instructions.

Morning of Surgery

• Take a bath or shower and brush your teeth (taking care not to swallow any water) the morning of surgery. This helps to the chance of infection.
• Remove all makeup, nail polish, jewelry, and contacts. If you must wear contacts, please bring your storage case for use during surgery.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing that can accommodate a bandage, cast, or other type of dressing where the procedure is being performed. Keep in mind our hospital is always kept at a cooler temperature. During surgery, you will wear a patient gown provided by the hospital.

What to bring with you on the day of your surgery

1. Bring all insurance cards. It is important for us to have all the current and correct information.
2. Bring a government issued photo ID such as a driver’s license. Minors do not need ID but the primary insured party does need theirs.
3. Bring your form of payment, if required.
4. Bring a copy of your consent forms and an Advanced Directive if you have one. Your signature will be required in accordance with your particular procedure.
5. If you have asthma or emphysema, bring inhalers with you.
6. If you take insulin, bring the bottle of insulin and syringes with you.
7. If you are having knee, ankle or foot surgery, you may require crutches. The hospital does not provide these so please coordinate this purchase with your surgeon.
8. Arrange for a responsible adult to accompany you to the hospital, receive discharge instructions, drive you home, and stay with you for the first night following surgery.
9. Limit the number of people who accompany you to the hospital. We suggest that adult patients be accompanied by only one person.

What not to bring to the surgery hospital

• Leave all jewelry, wigs, cash, and valuables at home. We cannot be responsible for their safety.

Please call us

If we have not reached you two days prior to surgery to review your medical history, preoperative instructions, and financial arrangements, please call us at (210) 575-5111 and ask to speak to the preoperative admitting nurse. If you have any questions, please feel free to call us.

Pediatric Patients

We understand the special needs of children. If you would like to bring your child in for a tour before their procedure, please contact us at 210-575-5111 for a time. Frequently, this will help ease anxiety that you and your child may feel. Please bring a favorite toy or blanket for your child to help them feel more comfortable.

Both parents may stay with their child in the preoperative holding area before surgery and in step-down recovery following surgery. A parent or legal guardian must remain in the hospital while the child is under our care. It would be better if siblings did not visit because of the lack of entertainment in the hospital.

Your child probably will have an intravenous catheter (IV) in place as they wake up from their procedure. It will be removed as soon as they are awake and taking fluids by mouth without nausea. Please bring a bottle or “Sippy” cup if your child does not drink from a cup. It is fine for your child to have something to drink after most procedures.