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Please take the time to check off these important points to remember before your surgery or test. If you become ill or, for any reason, do not plan to keep your surgery appointment, contact your surgeon or the Ambulatory Surgery Care Unit at 410-328-6247.

What to Bring

  • A list of your current medications.
  • Something to read or do while you are waiting to be called to the operating room.
  • A copy of your advance directives, if you wish.

For Your Safety

Have someone to drive you home (if you are scheduled to go home the same day). Do not drive yourself to the hospital, as your procedure may be postponed. If you plan to take a taxi, bus or other form of transportation, you will still need someone to be with you until you get home. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes that are easy to change and will not fit tightly over the area of your surgery.

What Not to Bring

Please try not to bring more than two family members on the day of surgery. Only one person will be allowed to stay with you in the room before and after surgery. Other visitors will be directed to another area to wait for your return from surgery.

Children should not come unless absolutely necessary. There must be another adult with them if they should come to the hospital. Don't bring large sums of money, jewelry, valuables such as electronic equipment or suitcases, even if you are staying overnight.

Getting Ready for the Surgery - The Night Before

  • Remove your nail polish, makeup and jewelry, including piercings.
  • Do any special preparations your surgeon has ordered. This might include special cleaning of the surgical area. Instructions for this are in your packet.
  • Take your usual medications unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Bring your medication list.
  • Do not eat or drink after midnight the night before your surgery.

On the Day of Surgery

  • Take any needed medications with a small amount of water.
  • Park at the Medical Center Garage. Enter on Paca Street. Bring your parking ticket in with you to receive a voucher. Parking costs are listed in your packet.
  • Please arrive at the time given by your surgeon's office. If you are unsure of the time, call (410) 328-6247 after 5 pm the day before surgery (call on Friday for surgeries scheduled for Monday).

What To Do If You Get Sick Before Your Surgery

When having surgery or anesthesia, it is important that you are in the best possible health. If you have a new illness or a flare up of an old condition around the time of a planned surgery, sometimes the safest practice may be to delay the procedure until you are well.

Don't assume that your surgery will be delayed if you are sick. If the procedure is urgent or your illness is related to the surgical problem, then it might be best to go ahead with the procedure as planned. Contact your surgeon's office as soon as you think you have an illness that might delay surgery. If you get sick, call the Ambulatory Surgical Care Unit at (410) 328-6247 and ask to speak to the nurse in charge. The unit is open 24 hours on weekdays (Monday through Friday).

If your surgery is canceled, contact your surgeon's office to reschedule. Pre-operative testing will usually not need to be repeated.

Examples of Conditions that May Delay Surgery Include:

  • Cold or sinus infection within two weeks before surgery
  • Pneumonia or bronchitis within a month before surgery
  • Stomach virus or flu
  • Fever
  • Asthma attack or wheezing within two weeks before surgery
  • Chest pain which is worse than usual
  • Shortness of breath which is worse than usual
  • Diabetes severely out of control
  • Infected skin or rash in the area of surgery
  • Generally not feeling as well as usual

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