What to Expect When Having Surgery at Blanchard Valley Hospital

• You will meet your anesthesiologist before going into the operating room.
• You will be asked to remove your clothing and wear a hospital gown.
• You will have your blood pressure, pulse, and temperature taken and an IV placed on arrival the day of surgery.
• You may wear your dentures into the
• operating room where a cup will be provided to hold them while you are having surgery.
• Your family will be instructed to wait in the assigned waiting area when you are taken to the operating room.
• Your surgeon will talk to them in the assigned waiting area after the surgery.
• You will be given something to drink if you are going home after your surgery.
• Some IV fluids may be continued in the Same Day Surgery Unit until you are discharged.
• If you are staying in the hospital, you will be taken directly to your room from the recovery room. Your family will be notified of your room number.
• You will be allowed to have family members with you in the Same Day Surgery Unit.

Your Step-By-Step Guide

1. Your Surgery is Scheduled

Your doctor’s office schedules your surgery at Blanchard Valley Hospital.

2. Your Pre-Surgical Screening is scheduled

You need to call 419.423.5304 as soon as possible to be pre-registered for testing and/or interview.

3. Pre-Surgery Testing

You arrive for a pre-surgical screening appointment at the Center for Diagnostic Studies. We will copy your insurance cards. Patients under 18, or those not capable of signing their own consent, must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. A pre-surgical screening nurse will ask you questions about your health history and medications. Your tests will be sent to your doctor and anesthesiologist.

4. Day of Surgery

On the day of surgery, check in at the Blanchard Valley Hospital surgery check-in desk as instructed.

5. Surgery Admission Process

You’ll be escorted to your pre-op room and prepared for surgery. A member of your family may stay with you during the admission process.

6. After surgery

You’ll go to a post-surgery recovery area.

7. Same Day Surgery

Your nurse will provide you with going home instructions before you leave. Arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home and remain with you for 24 hours.

8. Patients Staying Overnight

If you are staying, you will be assigned a room. You will be taken to your room after leaving the surgery recovery area. Your family will be notified of your room number and can take your personal belongings to your room.

The Day of Surgery: TO DO

Do notify your doctor if you experience any health changes before your day of surgery.

Do take medications for heart disease, high blood pressure, (as directed) asthma, thyroid, Parkinson’s and seizures the day of surgery with a very small sip of water.

Do brush your teeth, rinse with water, but DO NOT swallow.

Do bathe or shower the evening before and morning of surgery or as directed.

Do wear comfortable clothing.

Do wear your hearing aids.

Do have a responsible adult with you to drive you home as soon as you are discharged.

Do have a responsible adult to stay with you the first 24 hours after Same Day Surgery.

If you are staying overnight, pack light (bathrobe, slippers, toiletries, nightgown or pajamas, glasses case
and/or hearing aid case if needed).

The Day of Surgery: DO NOT DO

Don’t eat or drink anything from midnight on the day of surgery.

Don’t chew gum, eat hard candy or smoke after midnight on the day of surgery.

Don’t wear your contact lenses.

Don’t bring or wear jewelry.

Don’t bring personal belongings.

Don’t take male/female sexual enhancer supplements for 24 hours prior to elective surgery.

Don’t take herbal supplements for at least seven days prior to elective surgery.

DO NOT wear make-up, lotion or powder on the day of surgery.

Don’t smoke recreational marijuana for 72 hours prior to surgery. We may administer a drug test the morning of surgery.

Don’t Smoke medical marijuana for 24 hours prior to surgery.