Preparing for Surgery

Before your surgery

Eating and Drinking

• Do not eat any foods (including gum) after midnight the evening before your surgery.
• You may have up to 500ml or 2 cups of clear fluid up until 3 hrs before your surgery. Clear fluids include water, ginger ale and apple juice only.
• Do not drink alcohol 24 hrs before your surgery.
• Do not smoke or use any tobacco/marijuana product 24 hours before your surgery.

If a bowel prep is required, you will be notified by your surgeon for any necessary instructions to follow

Hygiene and Clothes

• Shower or bathe with soap the night before or the morning of your surgery.
• If you have been given a Chlorhexidine wash, please follow the instructions provided by your surgeon.
• Do not shave the area where you will have surgery.
• Do not apply powder, colognes, perfumes, or lotion/creams to your body.
• Remove all jewellery, including all piercings.
• Do not wear nail polish, artificial nails, or makeup. Do not use hairspray.

What to bring to the Hospital

• Your OHIP card and photo ID.
• An interpreter (if you need one)
• All medications, herbal supplements, and vitamins that you are taking.
• Glasses, contact lenses, hearing aide(s) and dentures, along with their storage containers.
• Assistive mobility devices (i.e. cane, walker)
• Sleep apnea machine (if used at home)
• Equipment or supplies purchased for your surgery.
• Money/credit card for parking.
• Bring your own reusable bags for your belongings.
• The name and phone number of the person picking you up after surgery.
• You must have a responsible adult drive you home, as you will not be allowed to drive yourself.
• If you do not have a responsible person to drive you home, your surgery will need to be rescheduled.
• Please note that a taxicab, Uber, Lyft, or similar driver is not considered a responsible person.

** You will also be required to be in the care of an adult (>18 years old) for 24 hrs after your surgery**

If you are admitted for an overnight stay after your surgery, please bring the following items.

• Personal items such as a robe, non- slip slippers, toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, deodorant, and loose clothes to wear when you are discharged

What NOT to bring to the Hospital

Leave all jewellery (including watches, wedding rings and piercings), large amounts of money, wallets or purses and other valuables at home.

We are not responsible for any lost or damaged personal items.

Do not bring any scented products (i.e. perfume, cologne, body sprays) as we are a scent-free organization.

When to contact your surgeon…

• If you need to cancel your surgery. This will allow another surgery to take place and yours to be rescheduled.
• There is any possibility that you are pregnant.
• You develop a cold, sore throat, fever, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, cough or congestion, rash or any other medical problems that may interfere with surgery.

Who do I contact if I have last-minute questions?

• Please contact your surgeon’s office.

Day of your surgery:

As your surgery approaches, you may have questions.

How early should I arrive for surgery?

Unless you are instructed otherwise, arrive two hours before your surgery. It is important that you arrive on time.

Where do I go when I get to the hospital?

Your surgery will be performed at either Mississauga Hospital, Credit Valley Hospital or Queensway Health Centre. Please ensure you go to the correct site.

Trillium Health Partners - Locations

Your surgical procedure will take place at one of the three following sites:

The Credit Valley Hospital

2200 Eglinton Avenue West
Mississauga, ON
L5M 2N1

Phone:
(905) 813-2200

Mississauga Hospital

100 Queensway West
Mississauga, ON
L5B 1B8

Phone:
(905) 848-7100

Queensway Health Centre

150 Sherway Drive
Toronto, ON
M9C 1A5

Phone:
(416) 259-6671

Registration:

• When you arrive at any of the three sites, go to the Patient Registration desk.
• After registering, you will be directed to the surgical area.

Credit Valley Hospital:
Enter the hospital through the emergency entrance and report to patient registration on the right side of the lobby opposite Good Earth Coffeehouse.

Mississauga Hospital
Enter the hospital through the main entrance located on the east side across from the parking garage and proceed to the “A” elevators. Take the elevators to the second floor. Report to the surgery check-in desk.

Queensway Health Centre
Enter the hospital through Entrance 6 (Urgent Care) or the Entrance 5 (Front) entrances and proceed to the registration desk.

What happens when I arrive at day surgery?

• You will be asked to change into a hospital gown and booties.
• A nurse will complete a pre-operative assessment.
• Best practice for safe surgery is to rule out the possibility of pregnancy in all females (preteens, teenagers, adults) of menstruation age.
• The nurse will ask you about the possibility of pregnancy.
• The assessment may include blood work to confirm pregnancy.
• The nurse may give you pre-operative medication.
• Please share any questions, concerns, or anxieties you may have with the nurse.
• You will be asked to wait with your family member or caregiver in the waiting area until the operating room is ready for you.
• Once the operating room is ready you will be taken to the operating room holding area.

What happens before going to the operating room?

Each surgical team member you meet will ask for your full name, date of birth, and the type of surgery you are having done. This is to ensure a safe patient experience.

Surgeon will confirm with you the surgery that you have agreed to and place a mark to correctly identify the side/site that will be operated on.
You can discuss arrangements for the surgeon to speak with your family member(s)/caregiver(s) after your surgery.

Anesthesiologist will explain how medications will be used to keep you comfortable and safe during your surgery.

Operating room nurse will review the information in your health record to confirm you are ready for surgery.

What happens in the operating room?

• When your team is ready, you will be escorted into the operating room by a nurse.
• You will lay on the operating table, and we will attach monitors to you.
• The members of the team will go through a surgical safety checklist to confirm who you are, the surgery that will be completed and that all equipment is ready for your surgery.
• The anesthesiologist will give you medication to ensure that you are safe and comfortable during your surgery.

After your surgery:

Once you have completed your surgery, you may have some additional questions on what to expect. Please review the information below to help you after surgery.

What happens after surgery?

• When your surgery is over you will be transferred to the Post Anesthetic Care Unit (PACU), also known as the recovery room.
• In the PACU the nurses will closely monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels and administer medication to manage any nausea or pain.
• There may be IVs, tubes, and dressings in place after your surgery.
• Once you have recovered sufficiently, you will be transferred to the day surgery unit if you are going home the same day or to an inpatient unit for your overnight stay.

Going home the same day of surgery?

• After the recovery room you will be transferred to the Day Surgery unit by a nurse.
• The nurses will continue to monitor you closely and ask if you have pain and/or nausea.
• If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or discomfort, tell your nurse and medication will be given to you to manage your symptoms.
• Depending on the surgery, your nurse may give you water, juice, or pop to drink as you recover.
• One family member or caregiver will be invited to join you while you recover.

Once you have recovered from your anesthetic the nurse will assist you in getting ready to go home.

Before you leave, the nurse will review and answer questions about:

• Instructions for your care at home (i.e. food and drinks).
• Types of activities you can do (i.e. lifting, driving).
• Instructions regarding follow-up appointments.
• Prescription for medications, if applicable.
• Care of your surgical wound and dressing.
• Signs and symptoms (warning signs) that may require emergency follow-up.
• Who to contact if you have questions or concerns.

After surgery, your mental and physical function may be altered for some hours following anesthesia.

For the 24 hours following surgery, you must:

• have a responsible adult accompany you home.
• be in the care of a responsible adult overnight.
• not drive a motorized vehicle or operate hazardous machinery.
• avoid consuming alcohol.
• stay home and not travel by public transit.
• not make any important personal or business decisions.
• contact your doctor or return to the nearest emergency department for any post-operative problems.

What happens on the inpatient unit?

• When you arrive on the inpatient unit your care will be transferred to the inpatient health-care team who will continue to monitor you as you recover.
• On the inpatient unit there are patients at all stages of recovery.
• The goal is to enhance your recovery after surgery by getting you to drink, sit up, walk, and tolerate food as soon as possible and return home for the next stage in your recovery.
• Your care team will also help with your pain management.
• You may also meet other health care team members such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, laboratory technicians and social workers.
• Please share your fears and anxieties so they can be addressed early in your recovery.
• You and your family/caregiver can communicate with the team or doctor by writing your questions on the white board in your room.
• We know that it is important to have visits from family and friends. The visitation policy on our units will change frequently based on infection outbreaks. Please check with your unit nurse for the most up-to-date visitation policies.
• Your expected length of stay in hospital (number of nights) is dependent on what type of surgery you are having.

Going home after your hospital stay

Discharge time will be discussed with you by your health care team.

Before you leave, a member of your care team will review with you and your family/caregiver:

• Instructions for your care at home (i.e. food and drinks).
• Types of activities you can do (i.e. lifting, driving).
• Instructions regarding follow-up appointments.
• Prescription for medications, if applicable.
• Each site has an outpatient pharmacy that can fill your post-surgery prescriptions.
• Management of your surgical wound.
• Signs and symptoms (danger signals) that may require emergency follow-up.
• Who to contact if you have questions or concerns.

Will I have a follow-up appointment?

Before you are discharged from the hospital, you will be given a follow-up appointment in either one of our outpatient clinics or your surgeon’s office OR you will be asked to call the surgeon’s office to book your follow-up appointment.

About MyChart

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