Surgery Checklist

Pre-Surgery Guidelines

Click here to download a printable Pre-Surgery Checklist.

• Drinking water (not coffee or soda) is very important before your surgery. Increasing your water intake 2-4 weeks prior to surgery will help with healthy kidney function, allow for healthy veins to assist with the administration of IVs on the day of surgery and offset some of the side effects of anesthesia, such as constipation.
• Make sure that you obtain all your preadmissions testing and labs from your physician prior to your surgery. You will need this information when you come to the Specialists Pre-Admissions/Laboratory or your private physician to conduct this testing. You will need to have this testing/lab work done within in (30) days of your surgery date. If you have questions about your paperwork, please contact your physician to obtain or have faxed to Specialists Pre-Admissions or your private physician. You will contact the appropriate clinic to obtain paperwork: Orthopedic Specialists of Louisiana or Spine Institute of Louisiana.
• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight on the evening of your surgery (includes gum, candy & tobacco).
• Avoid alcohol 24 hours prior to surgery.
• If you feel ill or have a fever prior to surgery, contact your surgeon or the on-call surgeon to evaluate your status. Please contact your surgeon at his clinic: Orthopedic Specialists of Louisiana at 318. 635. 3052 or Spine Institute of Louisiana at 318.629.5555.
• Bathe or shower before your surgery.
• The morning of surgery, take only the medications your physician or nurse has indicated appropriate. Take these medications with only a small sip of water.
• If you are undergoing an outpatient procedure, make sure that you have family or loved one that can transport you safely back home.

Not following these guidelines, could ultimately postpone your surgery.

Post-Surgery Guidelines

• Following surgery, you will go to our main recovery area, PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit). You will be closely monitored in PACU, until ready to go home or transferred to an inpatient room.
• While in PACU, a nurse will be with you at all times monitoring your progress.
• Throughout your stay, you will be asked to rate your pain on a scale of zero to ten. Be sure and notify your nurse if you are in a state of discomfort; the nurse can administer medication to assist in relieving your pain.
• Recovery times vary from patient to patient. Once you have been stabilized, a nurse will notify your loved ones that they may see you.
• Following surgery, your surgeon will update your family or loved ones about your surgery in our Patient Consult Area.
• The morning of surgery, take only the medications your physician or nurse has indicated appropriate. Take these medications with only a small sip of water.

Surgery Check-List

Thirty Days Prior to Your Surgery

• Obtain Pre-Admissions paperwork & labs from your surgeon (includes pre-op labs & EKG orders).
• Complete pre-op labs & testing.
• Check insurance authorizations.
• See your internist or family doctor, if necessary.
• Drink plenty of water (not tea, coffee or sodas). This will keep your kidneys healthy and prepare you for before and after your surgery.

One Week Prior to Your Surgery

• Arrange for transportation to and from the hospital
• Make arrangements for pet care, if necessary.
• Make hotel reservations, if necessary.

Day Before Surgery

• Do not eat or drink after midnight.
• Pack comfortable, loose fitting clothes.
• Pack all medications in their original bottles.
• Make sure that the Specialists Pre-Admissions Department has the best contact information to confirm your surgery time. You will be contacted the afternoon before by 4 pm. If you are scheduled for a Monday surgery, you will be contacted the Friday afternoon prior to your surgery date.

Day of Surgery

• Do not eat or drink after midnight; if you have to take medications the morning of surgery, take with a small sip of water only.
• Bathe or shower before arriving at the hospital.
• Bring your photo ID and insurance cards.
• Bring any current medications in their original bottles or a complete list of medications, noting dosage and/or frequencies.
• Bring any personal items that you may need including glasses, hearing aids and CPAP machine.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
• Remove any make-up, jewelry or nail polish.
• We recommend you leave all valuables at home including cash and jewelry.
• If Applicable, please bring a protective case for your eyeglasses, hearing aides and dentures.
• Check-in a Specialists Surgery Registration located on the second floor of the main campus.
• Read Patient Rights & Responsibilities.
• Read Patient Financial Responsibilities.