What to Expect
Before Surgery
When to Notify Your Doctor
Contact your doctor’s office immediately if:
- You or a household member experience illness (cough, fever, cold, etc.).
- You suspect you are pregnant.
Food and Drink Guidelines
Food and drink before anesthesia can cause choking, vomiting, or aspiration and pose safety risks. Follow these instructions or your case may be delayed or canceled.
- DO NOT EAT anything beginning 7 hours before your check-in time.
- DO NOT DRINK anything beginning 7 hours before your check-in time; ONLY water or apple juice (without pulp) are OK until 2 hours before your check-in time.
- NO GUM, CANDY, LOZENGES, or CHEWING TOBACCO 7 hours before your check-in time.
Taking Medications
- On the day of surgery, you can and should take most prescription medications as you normally would, with water, until 2 hours before your check-in time. (Especially blood pressure, heart, thyroid, pain, seizure, or Parkinson’s medications.).
- If you take glaucoma drops, continue them as normal.
- If you are diabetic, you will be instructed whether to take your diabetic medications on the day of surgery.
- If you use an inhaler, bring it with you to surgery.
- If you use oxygen, bring enough with you to get to the surgery center, stay for 3-4 hours, and return home.
- You do not need to stop blood thinners prior to surgery. If you are on Coumadin (warfarin), you need to have an INR drawn 1-2 weeks prior to surgery, and bring the results with you to surgery.
Day of Surgery
- Follow food and drink requirements
- An adult (18+) driver must bring you home and remain on-site
- Brush teeth and shower day or or day before. NO lotion, cologne or perfume, essential oils, or makeup.
- No contact lenses
- Leave personal belongings (most jewelry, cell phone, wallet, jacket, ect.) with your driver.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing (short sleeve, button tops preferred, no dresses)
- Bring With You
- Complete, current list of medications
- Insurance card and Photo ID
- Payment method
- Any forms given to you to be completed
- Non-prescription sun glasses
- Power of Attorney (POA):
- If you have a medical POA, please bring a copy of the paperwork.
- If a patient is unable to provide consent, the POA must be available for the consent process.
- Patients who are able to make their own medical decisions may sign their own consent forms and do not need their POA present.
Arrival
Arrival time is given by your doctor’s office. If delayed, call 505-474-9880. Arrival time ≠ surgery time — plan up to four hours from check-in to discharge.
Process Overview
- Registration: Check in, complete paperwork, and pay any balance.
- Pre-Op: Nurse prepares you; anesthesia provider evaluates.
- Surgery: Anesthesia administers medication. Surgeon performs the operation with the surgical team.
- Recovery: Nurse monitors you until discharge. Discharge instructions, including your post-op appointment location and time, provided verbally and on paper.
After Surgery
Post-Surgery
- Leave with a responsible adult.
- Do not drive for 24 hours.
- Have an adult available for 24 hours post-surgery.
