Your Surgery

The information provided below is meant as a guide to help you navigate your experience. Please follow all instructions given to you during your Pre-Admission Unit visit or provided by your surgery and care team.  

How to prepare

Before your arrival:

• Remove all nail polish, makeup, cosmetics and perfumes before arriving at the hospital
• Please keep the belongings you bring to a minimum
• Avoid bringing jewelry, money or other valuables
• You may bring a cell phone, however, we cannot accept responsibility for any valuables
• Please notify your physician immediately if there is any change in your health between your pre-admission visit and the day of surgery

Patients undergoing surgery may have one caregiver accompany them the day of surgery.

Registration

Take the Murray elevators to the 7th floor and register at Perioperative Services. It is important to arrive on time. If you arrive late your surgery may be cancelled or rescheduled to another date.

When you arrival you will meet a surgical registration clerk who will confirm your information and give you a wristband.  

After you have registered, you will change into a hospital gown in a private area. Your belongings can be safely stored in a digitally locked locker while you are in surgery. 

Surgery

Before going into the operating room, you will meet with a nurse, anesthesiologist and possibly another member of the surgical team. They will review your health information and answer any questions you may have.

A member of your health-care team may insert an intravenous (IV) line to administer medication ordered by your surgeon.

When it is time for your surgery, you may go into the operating room on a stretcher, in a wheelchair or by walking. Please let the team know if you have a preference.  

Once the patient is taken into the operating room (OR), caregivers can wait in the surgical family lounge on the 7th floor.

Eating or drinking is not allowed in the surgical family lounge. For the safety of our patients, caregivers are also required to wear masks.  

After your surgery

Once your surgery is complete, you will be taken to the Post-Anesthetic Care Unit (PACU) for monitoring of your blood pressure, heart rate and breathing.

You may have an oxygen mask over your nose and mouth when you wake up. You may also receive medication for pain and nausea. Please tell our team if you are feeling unwell.  

If you have requested it, the surgeon will contact your designated caregiver by telephone to provide an update after the surgery.  

Depending on the circumstances, caregivers may be permitted a short visit with the patient in the recovery room before they are transferred to the inpatient unit or discharged home.

Day surgery patients

Please arrange ahead of time for someone to take you home from the hospital and stay with you for 24 hours after your surgery. It is your responsibility to make this arrangement before the day of your operation.  

Please contact your physician if you experience fever, chest pain or shortness of breath in the days following your surgery.  

We will provide you with complete discharge instructions before you leave the hospital.  

Patients recovering in hospital

If you are recovering in the hospital after your surgery, we will transport you and your belongings to the appropriate unit.

The length of your hospital stay will be determined by your care team based on your care needs.

See our information on being discharged to learn more about leaving the hospital.

What to bring

• Health card (OHIP) or valid health care coverage
• Any additional health insurance and policy information
• A method of payment (Visa, Mastercard, Interac or cash)
• Containers for hearing aids, dentures, glasses or contacts, as these must be removed before surgery
• Two reusable bags (one large enough for your shoes and one large enough for your clothes) that can fit into our lockers, which are four feet in height and one foot in width
• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, if you use one

Inpatient surgery only:

• Overnight personal items and toiletry items, such as a robe/dressing gown, toothbrush or toothpaste