According to ME:
Hopefully you have pre-registered and don't have to discuss insurance and financial responsibilities on the day of your surgery. But do bring a photo ID and your insurance cards, just in case. Hand them over to your "hospital helper" before you are taken back to the pre op holding area.
Don't count on cell service within the surgical wing, leave tech equipment with your "hospital helper" so it does not get misplaced. Have a small bag for your glasses, hearing aids, and/ or dentures, things you might need soon after surgery, even in post op, with your name on the bag. Do not wear ANY jewelry- NO earrings, watches, ankle bracelets, toe rings, nose rings, eyebrow studs, belly button piercings, not even your wedding ring that you have not removed in 36 years of wedded bliss.
Follow the instructions regarding food and liquids. NPO means Nil Per Os or Nothing Per Orem. Either way it means No Food Or Liquid by Mouth. A "little orange juice" or a "bite of toast" is NOT okay. At best consuming something can result in your surgery being cancelled, at worst you could vomit during surgery and precipitate an emergency.
Don't wear make up, finger nail polish, nor lotions on your skin. The anesthesiologist needs to be able to see your "color," are you pale, ashen, flushed? It's hard to do with concealer, blusher and foundation making you look fabulous. The "pulse oximeter," that gadget that clips on your finger tip, needs to be able to "see" through your fingernail, a cool lacquer manicure obstructs the 'view.'
Lotions and creams are not sterile and prevent surgical tapes and EKG clips from sticking to your skin.
Things move fast in pre-op. Stay calm, listen to your nurse and trust you have made good choices and are in good hands.
Consumer Reports, CR, stresses the following:
Bring two copies of your drug list, one for the surgery staff and one for the floor nurse.
Introduce your "hospital helper" and be sure everyone knows she is there to act for you, if needed.
Ask for the name of the hospital " Liaison," a staff member whose job it is to solve problems.
Ask who will be in charge of your case if your surgeon is not available. Will you have a hospitalist?
Check your wristband. Look for misspellings and missing information such as drug allergies. Hospital staff should check your bracelet every time they administer a drug, take a blood sample, or perform a test. Be sure the info on it is correct.
Archive timeline: 2014: May and June - preparing for surgery, July - surgery and post op problems, August - recovery and physical therapy, September....
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