What You Need To Know And Do Before Your Surgery

On the day of surgery, you will need to report to Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital's (SJMH) Registration Department at the scheduled time given at your doctor's visit.

Most insurance companies now require elective surgeries to be pre-certified. Please be certain that this has been done and that you have your insurance information and pre-certification number ready when you arrive at the Registration Department.

A $500 deposit is required for all non-emergency surgery if you have no insurance. Please contact the Hospital's Credit Department at 304-517-1160 from 8 AM to 4 PM to make arrangements.

It is important for your pre-surgery lab work, X-rays, EKG, etc., to be completed as soon as your surgical date is set. If you have this done at another facility, have the results faxed to the Outpatient Surgery Department at 304-269-8057 prior to the day of your surgery. You will also be scheduled for an anesthesia consult. This appointment is very important and must be done prior to your surgery to determine your anesthesia risk. This step must be done or your surgery could be cancelled.

A pregnancy test and finger stick glucose screening will be performed the day of surgery if needed. After completing your registration, you will be directed either to the Laboratory, if further tests have been ordered, or to the Outpatient Surgery Department located on the first floor.  A nurse will review your health history and check your vital signs (temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory status). You will then dress for surgery in a hospital gown.

If you are to receive any kind of anesthesia, other than a local, you will be interviewed by an anesthesia provider prior to your surgery. The provider will answer any of your questions.

Your surgeon will speak with you in the Outpatient Department prior to going into the operating room. Patients who are minors, must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Following surgery, you may be taken to the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (P.A.C.U.) where staff will stay with you and monitor you frequently. Your family will be notified when you arrive in P.A.C.U. You will remain in this unit approximately 30 to 60 minutes.

If any complications or problems occur during surgery, it may be necessary to admit you to the hospital. If you are to be admitted, you will be transported to a private or semi-private room on the Med/Surg Unit after recovery. Please limit the number of people to be with you before and after surgery to two (2).

If you are going home on the same day of surgery, after recovery in P.A.C.U., you will be returned to the Outpatient Surgery Department. The Outpatient Surgery staff will encourage you to sip liquids and sit up. It is also important that you can urinate. Instructions will be given to you regarding how to care for yourself and for making your follow-up appointment. You will then dress and go home.

Please make arrangements for a responsible adult to drive you home. Since you have been given medication and are recovering from surgery, you will not be permitted to drive. Someone must be able to care for you at least 24 hours after receiving anesthesia.

If the patient is a child, there should be at least two adults present when transporting the child home.

If there are any small children in your family, arrange for childcare prior to surgery. Since recovery times vary, you may be at the hospital for several hours.

Surgery times vary depending on the procedure. Therefore, you may have a delay in your surgery or your surgery may be performed earlier than expected. We will make you as comfortable as possible while awaiting your procedure. Thank you for your patience.

Before You Come To The Hospital
●Report to your doctor any changes in your condition such as a cold, bronchitis, flu, elevated temperature, or drug reaction, which might necessitate a delay of your operation.
●DO NOT eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum after midnight the night before surgery. You may brush your teeth, but DO NOT swallow any water.
●Take any heart, blood pressure, or seizure medication with a sip of water at your usual time. Do not take diabetic medication the day of your surgery.
●Take a bath or shower the morning of the surgery using Hibiclens or Dial soap. This can be found at any pharmacy.
●Bring your medication with you in the labeled prescription bottles or a list of medications, including the dosage and times you take the medication.
●Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes.
●DO NOT wear any nail polish, makeup, or jewelry. Leave your valuables at home.
●If you wear eyeglasses, bring an eyeglass case with you to store them in. If you wear contact lenses, bring the storage container for them.
●We will provide you with a container for your dentures.
●Bring a small container to keep your hearing aid(s).

Please do NOT eat or drink anything after midnight before your surgery! Please do NOT put anything into your mouth such as gum, snuff, hard candy, etc.