My Pre-Anesthesia Clinic Appointment
- Your surgeon may schedule you for a pre-anesthesia appointment before your surgery. This is an important appointment to make sure you are ready for your surgery. If you do not come, your surgery date may need to be delayed.
- A registered nurse (RN) will obtain your health history at this appointment and explain any preparations you need to do before surgery.
- Depending on your health, you may need to see an anesthesiologist at this appointment.
The Pre-Anesthesia Clinic (PAC) location
The Pre-Anesthesia Clinic is located on the second floor of the Walter C. MacKenzie Health Sciences Centre unit number 2C3 (see Getting Here).
A clerk from the hospital will call to give you a time for your PAC appointment. Please call if you need to reschedule your PAC appointment.
Please do not wear/use perfume, aftershave or other scented personal products. Anyone coming into the hospital with you or to visit is also asked not to wear scented products.How will the PAC Appointment help me plan for my Surgery?
Depending on how long you will be staying in the hospital, your PAC appointment will provide you with the necessary information and education material for you to prepare for your surgery.
The length of time you will be admitted to hospital is decided by your surgical team and may include one of the following hospital admission types:
- Day Surgery: You will have surgery and go home (discharged) on the same day of surgery. See Planning for my Day Surgery - Adult Day Surgery Unit.
- Same Day Admission: You will have surgery and go home (discharged) more than 24 hours after your surgery. See Planning for my Inpatient Surgery - Same Day Admission.
What can I expect at my Pre-Anesthesia appointment?
- Be ready to answer questions about your health, the medications you take, past operations and allergies.
- Any important tests needed before your surgery will be done at this appointment.
- You will know what medication to take and not to take on the day of your surgery.
- You will know what you need to do to prepare for going home.
- If applicable, you will be offered many supports to help you stop smoking before your surgery. Stopping smoking is the most important thing you can do to help your recovery since smoking before your operation increases the risk of many serious problems.
- You can eat or drink anything you want before this appointment. Please take your usual medications the day of your pre-admission clinic appointment unless advised otherwise by your surgeon.
This appointment can last from 2 to 6 hours so please bring something to read in case you have to wait.
What must I bring with me to my Pre-Anesthesia Unit appointment?
- Please bring ALL medications (prescription, over the counter medications, inhalers, herbal remedies, patches, vitamins etc.) in their original (labeled) bottles to your appointment.
- If you do not have your medication bottles available, bring a detailed list of the medications you are taking including the dose and how often you take the medication. Your drugstore or pharmacist may be able to provide you with a detailed list of your medication.
- Provincial Health Card.
- Any papers given to you by your doctor or surgeon about test results or specialist visits.
- Eye glasses, hearing aid and translator (if needed).
Who may come with me?
Because we have limited space, only one (1) person may come with you to your PAC appointment. If you require special assistance (including translation), please make sure you have someone to help you.