The Night Before Surgery

You must fast before surgery.  The guidelines are as follows:  infants 0 -12 months must not have water, milk or solids four (4) hours before surgery.  Youths age 1 -10 years old must not have water, milk or solids six (6) hours before surgery and all patients over ten (10) years old must not have any of the items after midnight prior to surgery.

Day of Surgery

  Before Surgery

• You must arrive one hour before your surgery time to allow for admission, laboratory work and preoperative physical examination.
• A board-certified anesthesiologist will evaluate you and discuss the anesthetic options for your surgery.  Your anesthetic team may consist of both a nurse anesthetist as well as a physician anesthesiologist.
• Please bring all medications that you are taking with you.  You will be instructed on which medications to take the day of surgery.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing such as warm-ups and minimal makeup.  Remove your contact Lenses. Please leave all valuables and jewelry at home.  Children are encouraged to bring their favorite toy or blanket and pajamas to wear home.  When appropriate parents will be allowed to be with their children during the admitting and recovery periods.
• Bathe or shower the morning of surgery with an antibacterial soap ( like Dial) to minimize the chance of infection.  
• To maximize the comfort of all visitors, we suggest that adult patients be accompanied by only one person, however, we do welcome both parents of a pediatric patient.
• Make arrangements for someone to drive you home and stay with you, until at least the next morning.
• If applicable, arrange for care of your children for the 24 hours following surgery, as you could feel drowsy during that period of time.
• If you develop a cold, fever or respiratory problem before surgery, please call your surgeon.
• The Heart of America Surgery Center staff will contact you prior to your surgery date.  If you have not been contacted by a staff member one-day prior to surgery, it is your responsibility to call Heart of America Surgery Center at 913-334-8935.

   After Surgery

• You MAY NOT drive yourself home after surgery.  Someone MUST drive you home.  YOU CANNOT LEAVE ALONE.
• At a minimum, someone should be with you until the following morning after a general anesthetic.  It may be necessary for someone to stay with you longer.
• It is normal to feel sleepy for several hours after an anesthetic.  You should not drive or make important decisions, at least, until the day following surgery.
• Unless instructed differently, drink only liquids for the first few hours after surgery, then progress slowly back to your normal diet.
• Follow your surgeon's postoperative instructions regarding diet, rest and medications.

IF YOU HAVE ANY DIFFICULTY AFTER SURGERY, CALL YOUR SURGEON, HIS/HER ANSWERING SERVICE, OR THE HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM.