Patient Care All About You

Frequently Asked Questions about Surgery

• Can I eat, drink or smoke before surgery?

  No. For your personal safety, all procedures requiring general anesthesia or sedation are performed with an empty stomach. If your surgery is schedule in the morning you cannot have anything to eat or drink after midnight. If your surgery is scheduled for the afternoon, you can have something to drink only (water, black tea with or without sugar, coffee with or without sugar, or apple juice). You must have nothing in your mouth three hours prior to your arrival at the surgery centre. This includes gum, candy, or breath mints.

• Can I take my medication before surgery?

  You may be instructed by pre-surgical screening to take regular medications with sips of water on the morning or your surgery.

• Can I smoke prior to surgery?

  Please refrain from smoking as long as you can prior to your surgery date.

• Why do I need a driver after surgery?

  It is against the law to drive a car or operate machinery for 24 hours after a general anesthetic or sedation. After surgery it is important you have someone responsible accompany you home. If your home is not in the Kelowna area you may need to make arrangements to remain in the city overnight. See our list of local hotels.

• Can I stay alone after surgery?

  No. You must have a responsible adult to stay with you for the first 24 hours after surgery. Depending on the surgery you may need someone to stay with you longer. If unable to find someone to care for you after surgery, there are private services available. Please inform pre operative screening nurse and information will be provided. Failure to do this may result in cancellation of surgery.

• Can someone stay with me in recovery room?

  Our policy at OHSC is to maintain patient confidentiality and privacy for other patients. No family or friends of patients are allowed in the recovery room or Operating Room Theater.

• Can I keep my makeup, jewelry and piercings in during surgery?

  No. Please remove makeup and leave all jewelry and valuables at home prior to arrival of surgery. There is a high risk of corneal (eye) abrasions when eye makeup is worn. All oral jewelry must be removed for safe airway management. If jewelry is unable to be removed or the patient refuses to remove it and it is outside the operative field the jewelry will be taped in place. In this case the patient assumes responsibility for any loss or injury associated jewelry not being removed. Personnel may reserve the right to refuse surgery if guidelines aren’t followed and or pose a risk to the patient or staff members.

• What kind of clothes do I wear for surgery?

  Loose fitting clothing is appropriate. Face or shoulder surgery wear button down loose shirt. High heels are not appropriate shoe wear.

• Will I have a follow up appointment after surgery?

  Yes. If unable to make the follow up appointment date please contact the surgeon’s secretary to reschedule.

• Will I see the surgeon & anesthesiologist before surgery?

  Yes. Prior to going into the operating room you will meet with your surgeon and your anesthesiologist.

• Do I need any tests prior to surgery (blood test or heart test (ECG)?

  Depending on the patient’s medical history a blood test and ECG test may be required. A pre operative screening nurse will contact the patient a few weeks prior to surgery to obtain a patient medical history over the phone. If lab tests are required a requisition will be faxed to patients nearest laboratory. All patients over the age of 65 require an ECG.

• Do I need to too see an anesthesiologist before my surgery date for a consult?

  It depends on the medical history of the patient. An anesthesiologist will review the patients chart. If a consult is required the pre-operative screening nurse will contact the patient and set up an appointment with an anesthesiologist about one week prior to surgery. Please have all necessary lab work done prior to consult appointment, if required.

• What type of anesthesia is used?

  The anesthesiologists will determine what type of anesthesia is most suitable for your surgery. This will be discussed on the day of your surgery, or during a pre-operative consultation, should that be necessary.

• When do I pay for elective surgery?

  Payment is required two weeks prior to surgery. Cash, certified cheque, VISA or Master Card is accepted. Cheque payments are made out to ‘Okanagan Health Surgical Centre’. Surgeon’s fees are separate and are to be processed by the surgeon’s office.

• Where does the surgery take place?

  Okanagan Health Surgical Centre
  Suite 401-3320 Richter Street
  Kelowna, B.C
  V1W 4V5