The following will give you an idea of what to expect when you come for surgery at St. Mary’s Medical Center:

1. You will come to the Holding Area to prepare for your surgery. When you are ready, a family member or friend will be able to wait with you before surgery. The Holding Area nurse will answer any of your questions and keep you as comfortable as possible.
2. You will be asked a series of questions such as your name, surgeon’s name, type of surgery, allergies and the last time you ate or drank anything.
3. You will be given a hospital gown to wear and a cap to cover your hair. Your belongings will be placed in a bag for you. You will be asked to remove your jewelry and give it to your family or it will be placed with your belongings.
4. Your surgeon, anesthesiologist, and operating room nurse will all visit with you in the Holding Area before you are taken to surgery. You will be asked many of the same questions you have already answered. Any questions you have will also be answered at this time.
5. You will be taken to the Operating Room by the operating room nurse. You will be given warm blankets because the operating room may feel cold. The room will also be brightly lit. Your family will be shown where to wait. The surgeon will speak with them after your surgery.
6. After surgery, you may have a dressing over your incision. You will be in the recovery room until you are awake enough to go home or to your hospital room.

Call 816-655-5442 for more information about inpatient and outpatient surgery at St. Mary’s Medical Center.