Planning for My Inpatient Surgery
Disclaimer: This is general information developed by the University of Alberta Hospital. It is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified health-care provider. Please consult your health-care provider who will be able to determine the appropriateness of the information for your specific situation.
Printable copy
Finding out the Time of your Surgery
Please call the Pre-anesthesia Clinic between 2-3 pm the day before your surgery.
Booking Office (780) 407-7396
Coming for Surgery
If your arrival time is before 6:00 am go directly to the Adult Day Surgery/Same Day Admission Unit Reception Desk on Unit 5G3 which is on the 5th floor (See map on page 16).
If your arrival time is after 6:00 am go to Admitting (1H1) on the ground floor to register prior to reporting to the Adult Day Surgery/Same Day Admission Unit Reception Desk on Unit 5G3
Adult Day Surgery/Same Day Admission Unit (5G3) is open Monday to Friday at 5:30 am.
Same Day Admission University of Alberta Hospital
Welcome to the University of Alberta Hospital. We understand that surgery is a stressful time for you and your family and we hope to give you information that will help you prepare for your surgery.
The Adult Day Surgery /Same Day Admission Unit staffs care for patients who are admitted to the hospital on the same day as their surgery. After surgery, you will be admitted to an inpatient unit where you will stay in the hospital for one day or more after surgery as decided by your doctor and health-care team. This booklet will give you some information about preparing for surgery, and your health-care team will give you more specific information. There is a checklist to remind you of the important things to do before your surgery.
It is possible that your surgery may need to be postponed because of emergencies or unexpected delays in the Operating Room. We will let you know if this happens to you.Remember
- Call your surgeon if you are sick with a cold, flu, fever or other illness.
- If you are on blood thinners (anticoagulants, antiplatelets) or aspirin, remember to tell your surgeon because these medications sometimes need to be adjusted one week before your surgery.
- If you need a medical certificate or insurance form completed: Contact your surgeon's office.
- If pregnancy is possible it is very important to let the staff and surgeon know so we can do a pregnancy test.
- Patients who smoke are more at risk of serious heart and lung problems during and after surgery. Smokers also have a higher chance of incision infections and may need to stay in hospital longer. This is why it is important that you try to quit smoking for as long as possible before your surgery. At a minimum, you must not smoke on the day of your surgery. You will not be allowed to smoke in the hospital. Many people use this as a chance to stop smoking. We have many options and supports available to help you quit smoking before your surgery.
Checklist: The Evening before your Surgery
Take a shower or bath using regular soap and wash your hair.
Do not use scented products. (If you prefer, you can shower in the morning.) It is important to be clean before your surgery.
You will be given instructions on eating and drinking when you telephone the Pre Admission Clinic for your arrival time.
Follow instructions carefully or your surgery may be delayed or even cancelled. This is for your safety, to prevent aspiration (food in your lungs). Aspiration is life-threatening.
Eat as you always do the day before surgery. Your last food before surgery should be a low fat snack. Don't eat meats, eggs, fried foods, peanut butter or nut butters.
Stop eating 8 hours before surgery! (unless you have done a bowel preparation)
Eat Snack A OR Snack B - not both
Snack A
- 1 small piece of fruit
- and 1 cup cereal (Corn Flakes or Rice Krispies®)
- and ½ cup skim, 1% or 2% milk
OR
Snack B
- 1 small piece of fruit
- and ½ cup yoghurt (2% fat or less)
- and 1 slice of toast with jam (no butter, no margarine, no peanut butter or nut butters)
You must stop eating 8 hours before surgery! (unless you have done a bowel preparation)
It is important to drink enough fluids with carbohydrate ( sugar) to prepare your body for surgery.
The evening before surgery:
The morning of surgery:
- Drink 3 cups of apple juice or cranberry cocktail (not diet or low calorie)
- Drink 2 cups of apple juice or cranberry cocktail (not diet or low calorie)
Until 3 hours before surgery you can also drink the clear fluids below:
- Water
- Black tea (no milk or cream)
- Black coffee ( no milk or cream)
Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours before surgery
You must stop drinking 3 hours before surgery!
Some patients may be given special instructions. Make a note of any special instructions you are given.
Medication Instructions
Take your usual medications on the morning of surgery (take with a sip of water), unless directed by your surgeon or anesthetist not to.
Bring all prescribed medications with you to the hospital including:
- Inhalers (for asthma)
- Nitro spray (for chest pain)
- Insulin (do NOT take the morning of surgery)
- Pills for diabetes (do NOT take the morning of surgery)
On the morning of surgery DO
- Take a shower or bath using regular soap and wash your hair. (If you did not do last night). Do not use scented products. You may use deodorant unless told otherwise.
- Brush your teeth but do not swallow.
- Remove all make-up, nail polish, all body piercing and jewellery.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
- Bring the telephone number (or cell phone number) of your primary contact person.
On the morning of surgery DO NOT
- Do NOT wear perfume, lotions, aftershave, or use hair products.
- Do NOT bring money, valuables (including phones, iPods, laptops, etc.), watches, jewellery (including wedding bands) or keys to the hospital.
- Do NOT bring contact lenses to the hospital
The University of Alberta Hospital will not be responsible for lost or stolen articles or belongings brought to the hospital. Patients who bring any valuables do so at their own risk.
- If you have sleep apnea and use a machine at night, bring it to the hospital.
- If your surgeon has ordered crutches, canes, splints or any other devices, have them available to be bought to the hospital following your surgery
- You may wear your Medic Alert bracelet, dentures, glasses, hearing aids and other such aids to the hospital. Bring labeled containers for these items because you will need to remove them for surgery.
- Label all your belongings and bring a bag or backpack for them.
- Bring a copy of your personal Directive and or green sleeve with current goals of care order if you have one.
- You may wish to bring a copy of this booklet.
You must arrive on time or your surgery may be cancelled. Your arrival time is NOT the time of your surgery.
Adult Day Surgery/Same Day Admission (Room 5G3)
Operating Room
- Only 2 people can accompany you on the day of surgery. The responsible adult who brings you to and from the hospital must be accessible while you are here. The doctor may need to speak with them and they need to be here to take you home in a timely manner. We will call that person when you are ready to go home.
- Please be respectful in your use of cell phones within the hospital and especially when in patient care areas. Use your phone for essential calls only.
- In order to allow plenty of time for your preparation for surgery you may wait 2 to 3 hours after arriving at the hospital before your surgery will start. You may want to bring something to read.
- You will change into a hospital gown and we will prepare you for surgery.
- You will not know your room number until it is assigned later in the day. Please leave your suitcase and personal things with your primary contact person until your room is assigned.
- Your primary contact person will be asked to look after all your valuables while you are in surgery. If you are alone your belongings will be sent to the inpatient unit later in the day.
- The University of Alberta Hospital will not take responsibility for any lost or stolen articles.
After Surgery (PARR and ADS)
- No visitors are allowed in the operating room (Surgical Suite) area.
- You may be brought to the operating room area by stretcher, some patients may walk.
- You may wait in the preoperative holding area a few minutes and the nurse and the anesthetist will come to speak with you.
- After surgery you will usually recover in the Post-Anesthetic Recovery Room (PARR) before you go to the inpatient room.
- No visitors are allowed in the PARR.
- The nurse will frequently check your pulse, blood pressure, oxygen level, breathing, site of your operation and provide pain control.
- Tell your nurse if you have pain, nausea and/or vomiting, itchiness or difficulty urinating.
- Pain is personal. The amount of pain you feel may not be the same as others feel, even if you have had the same surgery. For more information, see Pain Control.
- Each person recovers from surgery and anesthetic differently. Your doctor and nurse will decide when you are ready and able to go home.
- Your primary contact person will be able to visit you when you are settled in your inpatient (ward) bed.
- Visiting hours on most units are from 11 am to 8 pm No more than two visitors are allowed at one time. Specialty units often have different rules. Check with the nursing station to confirm visiting times.
- Your suitcase and personal belongings can be brought to your room at this time.
- Your pain should be controlled enough that you can rest comfortably. The pain should not stop you from deep breathing or coughing, getting out of bed or walking. It is important to tell your nurse if you are experiencing pain.
- You will need to practice deep breathing and coughing. This exercise is done every hour for the first day and every 4 hours for the next 1 to 2 days. Take a deep breath in though your nose and blow out through your mouth. Repeat this 5 times. On the 5th breath, cough 2 to 3 times gently. If you have a chest or abdominal incision, support it with a pillow.
- Leg exercises: These exercises are done 4 to 5 times a day until you are walking. Point your toes towards your head, then towards the foot of the bed 5 to 10 times. Make your feet go around in circles 5 to 10 times. Bend and straighten one leg and then the other leg 5 to 10 times.
Your surgeon and health-care team will decide when you are ready to go home.
Before leaving the hospital, please ensure you have received the following instructions from your doctor or nurse before you to home.
- What medication to take after your surgery (how often, when and why)
- How to care for your incision and any tubes or dressings.
- What activities or exercises you can do and when you can do them (i.e. drive the car).
- What, if any, diet restrictions you need to follow.
- The date and time of your next appointment with the surgeon.
- When to call your surgeon or your family doctor.
Please make preparations to leave the hospital by 10 am on the day of discharge home.
Follow ALL instructions given to you from your doctor and nurse.
Other Important Information (parking, maps and links)
We hope this information has been helpful to you.