Rapid Recovery Book

It’s Surgery Day!

What to do:  Arrive at the Main Entrance of Labette Health at your scheduled time. Please do not be late.  Leave suitcase in the car until you are assigned to a room. What to Expect:  The nurse will check you in and then have you change your clothes.  You will go to the preoperative outpatient surgery area where you will prepare for surgery.  An I.V. will be started, your surgical site will be marked and the hair in this area will be clipped. Do not shave your own leg.  Your family may sit with you in the outpatient surgery area after the nurse is finished getting you ready. We ask that no more than two people be with you in the outpatient surgery area.  Your operating room nurse, as well as your anesthesia provider, will interview you.  You will be escorted to the operating room where you will see your surgeon, if you haven’t already visited with him.  Following surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room where you will remain for 1 - 2 hours.  Physical Therapy Team will visit you and get you up and ambulatory the day of your surgery. It is very important that you start your ankle pumps on this first day. This will help prevent blood clots.  You should also begin using the therapep and doing the deep breathing exercises.  Your evenings are free to visit with family and friends.