What to expect before surgery:
- When you arrive, please check in at the Front Desk Reception Area.
- A Front Desk Receptionist will register you and ask you to sign any forms required for surgery.
- A Pre-Op Nurse will review your medical history.
- You will change your clothes and an anesthesiologist will meet you. Family members are invited to join you during the pre-op assessment. For children, we encourage both parents to be present.
What to expect during surgery:
- You will be escorted from the pre-op area to the operating room suite where an IV may be started. Your operation will begin soon after your anesthesia has taken effect.
- When your operation is complete, you will be taken to the Recovery Room and you will be monitored by skilled nurses and clinical personnel.
- When you are awake, you will be asked to drink liquids and begin sitting up. A family member will then be invited to join you in the Recovery Room. For same day surgery patients, you can expect to be in the Recovery Room for 1 to 2 hours. Extended recovery patients will be transferred to the extended recovery care area.
What to expect after surgery:
- When it is time to go home, you will change back into your clothing.
- You must have an escort to drive you home. You may not drive yourself home.
- You will receive detailed discharge home instructions from a Nurse.
- When you are at home, you may feel a little dizzy and sleepy. We strongly suggest you do not drive or operate machinery, make important decisions, drink alcoholic beverages or sign legal documents for 24 hours following surgery.
- Recovery at home has many advantages: it is more comfortable to be in familiar surroundings; it reduces complications; it permits you to be with family members and loved ones; and it allows you to return to work more rapidly.
- Prepare to eat a light diet for the first 24 hours and be sure to drink fluids.
- Please call your doctor or the surgery center if you have any questions or problems.Your doctor will schedule a post-operative followup visit with you.
- You will receive a phone call from a Seattle Surgery Center Nurse to see how you are doing after you have gone home.
- You are encouraged to complete and return the Patient Satisfaction Survey that you will receive prior to leaving the surgery center.
(206) 382-1026
