Conditions We Evaluate and Treat

Surgical Procedures We Use for Treatment

Surgery Guidelines

GRMC Surgery Pre-Operative Care Instructions

• Before Surgery

  1. Smokers, to improve your breathing, do not smoke for 24-48 hours before surgery.
  2. It is very important that you not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery.
  3. This includes food, beverages, smoking, chewing gum or tobacco, mints or hard candy.
  4. You SHOULD TAKE your morning heart or blood pressure medications with a sip of water.
  5. DO NOT TAKE medicine for diabetes, blood thinners such as Plavix, Coumadin, etc., aspirin, Advil, Motrin, or Ibuprofen, unless your surgeon advises otherwise.
  6. Ask your doctor about taking any of your other daily medications on the day of surgery.
  7. If you might be pregnant, please notify your surgeon and anesthesiologist.
     Failure to follow the above may cancel or delay your surgery.
     Infants may have formula or milk 6 hours before check-in or breast milk 4 hours before check-in. Children must have a parent or legal guardian at the hospital. Bring a favorite blanket or toy with them.

• Day of Surgery

  1. Help us prevent infections by using a special soap five days prior to your date of surgery and the morning of your surgery. The special soap should contain 4% chlorhexidine gluconate or CHG. Common brand names for this soap are Hex-A-Clens or Hibiclens. These over the counter antibacterial skin cleansers can help reduce surgical site infections and are available from your local pharmacy.
  2. If you brush your teeth, do not drink any water.
  3. Refrain from wearing makeup or colored fingernail polish.
  4. Wear loose comfortable clothing and shoes that are easy to put on and take off.
     • Shoulder surgery – wear a very large front-buttoned shirt.
     • Hip, knee, or ankle surgery – wear or bring shorts or very large wide-legged pants /sweat pants.
     • Breast surgery – wear or bring a snug fitting, supportive bra.
     • Abdominal surgery – wear loose comfortable pants with a non-restrictive waistband.
  5. Bring a list of all medications you are currently taking, including the dose and directions for each.
  6. If you wear contacts, please bring a storage case and solution with you.
  7. If you wear glasses or hearing aids, please bring a case to store them in.
  8. If you wear dentures or have any removable bridgework or partial plates, they may be removed before surgery. Please bring a container for them with you.
  9. Please report to the hospital 1½ hours before your scheduled surgery time.
  10. Admission to the hospital may be a possibility if your surgeon so decides.

• After Surgery

  1. After leaving the OR, you will go to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) to be cared for by RNs.
  2. Family and friends may not visit with you in this area due to federal privacy protection laws.
  3. You will be asked to rate your pain on a scale of 0–10 to assist us in managing your pain.
  4. After PACU, you will return to the Pre/Post Operative area where your family and friends may visit.
  5. You will be given something to drink. When you are able to tolerate liquids and your pain in under control, you will be discharged with your care instructions given to your family or friend.
  6. Your anesthetic may cause short-term memory loss. Please inform your family member that this is temporary.
  7. You may be very sleepy. This is why an adult must drive you home and stay with you for 24 hours.
  8. Let your physician know if you have any reactions to medications or unexpected symptoms or pain.

GRMC Surgery Procedures - Additional Instructions

• Getting Ready for Your Surgery

  1. Please read the Care Instructions, to the left, to help us provide you with the highest quality of care.
  2. Please pre-register at the Hospital a few days before your surgery. See the back of this brochure.
  3. For your surgery date and time, call your physician’s office.
  4. Arrange for a family member or friend to accompany you to the hospital to drive you home after surgery.
  5. While a child is having surgery, an adult must stay at the Hospital. Children may bring a blanket or special toythe day of their surgery.
  6. Please leave personal articles such as jewelry, piercings, money, valuables, purses, and wallets at home. However, bring your eyeglasses, contact lenses storage case and solution, dentures or bridgework case and hearing aides if you use any of these.
  7. If you have small children, for their safety and your peace of mind, please make other arrangements for their careduring your surgery.
  8. If, on the day of your surgery, you have a change in your physical condition such as a cold, congestion, flu, diarrhea, rash, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, etc., immediately call OP/Pre-Op staff at 830.401.7291 or 830.401.7293.

  Failure to follow the above may cancel or delay your surgery.
  Infants may have formula or milk 6 hours before check-in or breast milk 4 hours before check-in. Children must have a parent or legal guardian at the hospital. Bring a favorite blanket or toy with them.

• Arriving at the Hospital

  1. Make sure to bring:
     • All paperwork and test results from the physician’s offices
     • Insurance and/or Medicare/Medicaid cards
     • A valid picture ID
     • Payment for your co-pay or deductibles
     • Hospital pre-registration paperwork
     • Consent form if given to you by your physician
  2. Park in the Central Entrance parking lot located in the center of the hospital’s campus, just east of the ER. Check in with the Information Desk when you arrive at the Hospital.
  3. For visitors, GRMC has a designated surgical waiting area with ample space for family and friends.
     GOING HOME
  4. If you have an outpatient procedure, you will be dismissed generally 1–2 hours after your surgery is completed.
  5. For your safety, a responsible adult must accompany you home and should stay with you for 24 hours after you leave the hospital.
  6. Prescriptions may be filled at the pharmacy of your choice.

Pre-Register To Shorten Your Registration Time