Preparing For Surgery

To help you prepare for surgery, please follow the instructions below.

Eat Nothing After Midnight

It is best for you to have your stomach as empty as possible to prevent the risk of complications during anesthesia. Solid food is not to be taken after midnight the night before your surgery (milk and orange juice are considered to be solid food). Clear fluids, which you can see through, or coffee and tea without milk, may be taken up to three hours before your surgery. After that time, nothing to eat or drink, not even water. This includes chewing gum, candies or mints.

Medication

You may take medication prescribed by your doctor up to one hour before surgery with a sip of water.

Notify Your Surgeon

Please notify your family physician or surgeon if your health changes, you develop a cold or any other illness in the week before your surgery.

Please also be sure to notify your surgeon of any changes in your home address or telephone number.

Before Coming to the Hospital

Please be sure to have a bath or shower the night before your surgery. This will greatly reduce the risk of infection from bacteria on your skin.

Remove artificial nails and/or wash off all make-up and nail polish prior to your arrival at the hospital.

All jewellery must be removed before you go into the operating room. We recommend you leave these items safely at home.

Leaving Valuables at Home

Southlake Regional Health Centre makes every effort to ensure a safe environment; however, we are unable to constantly monitor the traffic in patient care areas or changing rooms and therefore, cannot be held responsible for lost or stolen valuables.  Please leave all personal items, large sums of money  and credit cards safely at home.

*Due to limited space, we request only one visitor per patient.

What to Bring

• Health Card
• Housecoat or bathrobe and slippers (All patients must wear a hospital gown to the operating room. You will feel more comfortable with your own housecoat/bathrobe as most patients walk to the operating room
• Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing
• Denture cup
• Case for glasses/contact lenses (lenses must come out prior to  surgery)
• If having foot surgery,  please bring loose-fitting slippers or footwear recommended by your surgeon

No Smoking

The Hospital is a smoke-free environment and smoking is not permitted. It is also suggested that you do not smoke within 48 hours of your surgery.

Parking

Parking is available at a rate of $1.50 per half-hour, or a flat daily rate of $6.50, with unlimited in and out privileges  Please see our Patients and Visitors section for additional parking information.

Pay Phone

Available in the Same Day Surgery admitting area.

Going Home

You must arrange for a family member to drive you home following your surgery. Most patients are ready to go home 2 to 3 hours after surgery.  We will be happy to call your ride for you. Instruct your family member or friend to come to the Post-Op Same Day Surgery unit to pick you up.  You may not meet your ride at the Hospital door.  You may not take a taxi or bus home unless there will be a family member or friend with you.

Important

Special needs patients (i.e. mentally challenged or group home residents must be accompanied by someone who is legally able to sign the consent.

For information on resources available to you during your hospital visit or stay (for example: parking, what to bring, discharge times and other helpful information) please click on Patients and Visitors.