Before Surgery
You will have an appointment before the day of your surgery to make sure it is safe for you to have surgery. This is called the pre-anesthesia assessment.
Pre-anesthesia Assessment
During pre-anesthesia assessment appointment, a nurse will ask you about your medical history and the medications you take. The nurse will also talk to you about any special needs you might have after your surgery.
- This appointment may be done over the phone or in-person at the hospital.
- Patients who don't have other medical conditions are usually assessed over the phone.
- The pre-anesthesia clinic will phone to tell you whether you will have an assessment by phone or in-person at the hospital.
- The pre-anesthesia clinic will also tell you the date and time of the appointment.
If you have a telephone assessment appointment:
- Make sure the hospital has a phone number where you can be reached during the day.
- The nurse will call your daytime number around the time of your appointment. Please keep in mind the nurse may fall behind schedule with other patients. The nurse may call you at any time within the hour of your scheduled appointment.
If you have an in-person hospital assessment appointment:
- Please check-in at B-wing, 1st floor, room 11 (B1 11).
- You will meet with a nurse, and may also meet with a pharmacist and the doctor (the anesthesiologist) who will put you to sleep when you have surgery.
- Please eat and take all your regular medications before you come to this appointment.
What do I need to bring to the in-person pre-anesthesia assessment appointment?
- If you do not read or speak English, it is helpful to bring someone who will be your translator.
- Please bring only 1 family member or friend to the appointment.
Important Reminders:
- This booklet.
- Your Ontario Health Card and your Sunnybrook card.
- The name and telephone number of your family doctor.
- The names and telephone numbers of any specialists who treat your medical conditions.
- All of your medications in the containers they came in. These include pills, inhalers or puffers, injections, and eye drops. Also bring any herbal medicines or vitamins you take. Staff at the Pre-Anesthesia clinic will tell you which medications to take on the day of surgery.
Occupational Therapist/Physiotherapist guidance:
Your surgeon’s office will arrange for you to meet with either an occupational therapist or a physiotherapist before your surgery.
- You will be taught how to do the exercises that will help you recover after your surgery.
- Your surgeon highly recommends that you follow these instructions.
