Surgery at metro health hospitalPREPARING FOR SURGERYCarefully follow your health care provider's instructions. If there is something you do not understand, ask to have it explained to you. You may need pre-surgical testing. Whether you do need testing and what tests you may need is determined by your doctor's wishes, the type of surgery you are having and your health history. After your doctor schedules you for surgery, the Pre-surgical Testing Department will call you for information on your medical history. If you need testing, an appointment will be scheduled. If you will be staying overnight, you will need to come in for a pre-surgical testing appointment. If you smoke, it is recommended you stop smoking at least two weeks prior to your surgery. This will improve the performance of your lungs and circulation. Also, please keep in mind that Metro Health Village is a smoke-free campus. Smoking is prohibited anywhere on hospital grounds, including parking lots. Do not drink alcohol (beer, wine or liquor) for at least two days prior to your surgery. If you do not feel well or have a cold, rash or fever, call your doctor to see if postponing your surgery is necessary. Certain prescriptions or over-the-counter medication, like aspirin, Advil, Aleve and Coumadin, may cause extra bleeding during surgery. Ask your doctor if you should stop taking these or other medications. Be sure to notify the nurse if you are taking any herbal supplements. Do not eat or drink anything - including candy, chewing gum or water - after midnight the night before surgery. You must have a responsible adult come with you, stay during surgery, drive you home and stay with you after surgery. You're not allowed to drive home after anesthesia.
THE DAY BEFORE SURGERYOne to two days before your surgery: One to two business days before your surgery, Metro Health will call you after 2:00 p.m. to confirm that time you should arrive at the hospital for your scheduled surgery. For Monday surgery, Metro will call you on Thursday or Friday. If we do not reach you two business days prior to your surgery, you may call Pre-surgical Testing at (616) 252-7785, or 1-800-968-0051, ext. 7785, between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Metro will again attempt to call the next business day. Make sure you have arranged for a responsible adult to come with you, stay at the hospital during surgery and drive you home. We also recommend you have someone stay with you after you go home. Do not eat or drink anything - including candy, chewing gum or water - after midnight the night before surgery. Shower or bathe the night before or the morning of surgery. You may brush and rinse your teeth, but do not swallow any water. Remove nail polish. Leave all jewelry, including wedding rings and body piercings at home. Keep make-up to a minimum. Leave money and valuables at home.
THE DAY OF SURGERYYou will be asked to arrive 1 ½ - 2 hours before your surgery. Come to the main entrance of the hospital. You will be directed to the Dan & Eunice Pfeiffer Surgery Center to register and check-in. Bring your insurance card, personal identification and any other information needed for registration. During the surgery preparation process, you will be asked to put on a wrap-around hospital gown and slippers. Wear loose-fitting clothing that can be easily removed. If you are going to be admitted to the hospital to recover after surgery, you may bring a small bag of personal belongings. Leave these items in your vehicle until you are brought to your room. An identification bracelet will be placed on your wrist. A nurse will check your height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, breathing and temperature and will ask you several questions about your health. The nurse will explain any medication that has been ordered for you. He or she will also give your family or friends instructions on where to wait during the surgery. An intravenous line (IV) will be inserted in your arm, unless you are having local anesthetic. The purpose of the IV is so you can be given necessary fluids and anesthetic medications during surgery. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, you will be asked to remove them. Please bring the proper case to store them. If you wear dentures, your anesthesiologist may ask you to remove them. Written discharge instructions will be reviewed with you and your family. If you have questions after you go home, your discharge instructions will include any phone numbers you may need.
If you do not understand something about your surgery, please ask your nurse to further explain so you feel comfortable.
Metro Health Hospital is located at Metro Health Village, 5900 Byron Center Avenue SW, Wyoming MI
For more information, please see the surgery booklet given to you by your doctor's nurse or call the office at (616) 588-1800. |