Day of Surgery

• Arrive at Barstow Community Hospital one hour before surgery.
• Do not smoke, eat or drink anything (including water) after 12:00 midnight the day of surgery, including mints or chewing gum.
• You may brush your teeth and rinse your mouth, but do not swallow.
• Call your surgeon if you develop a cold, fever or have any breathing problems before your surgery.
• Notify your surgeon if there is a possibility that you are pregnant.
• Take blood pressure, heart, seizure or any form of steroid medication as usual with a small sip of water.
• If you are currently taking other medications including insulin, please check with your doctor.
• Bring a list of medications and dosages you take for the surgeon and anesthesiologist to review prior to your surgery.
• Please do not wear make-up, nail polish, jewelry or contact lenses and leave any valuables, including wallet, at home. BCH will not be responsible for any loss of or damage to personal items.
• Bathe or shower the morning of surgery.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing and low-heeled shoes.
• Make arrangements to have a responsible adult drive you home after surgery. Your driver may remain at BCH or we can give them an approximate time to return for you.
• If you fail to arrive for a scheduled surgery, you may forfeit your deposit.
• Failure to arrive on time may delay your surgery to the end of the day.

Recovery
After surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room where your blood pressure, pulse and breathing will be monitored closely until you are ready to return to your hospital room or be discharged home. When you are released from the hospital, you must not drive or operate any machinery for 24 hours and refrain from eating heavy foods or drinking any alcoholic beverage for 24 hours.

If an inpatient, you can expect to continue having frequent checks of your pulse, breathing and blood pressure, as well as observation of surgical site dressings and maintenance of IV solutions. Some discomfort is normal, but please tell your nurse if you notice a marked increase in pain or any unusual symptoms.

Before you leave the hospital, a nurse will discuss with you any postoperative instructions concerning medications, diet, and follow-up prescribed by your physician.

It is quite normal to feel light-headed or tired for several days after surgery. If you experience any problems or concerns, please contact your physician.