What will happen on the day of my surgery?

On the day of your surgery, please come to the hospital on time and go to the surgical services registration area, M-wing (main entrance), ground floor, room 502.
You will be taken to the pre-operative room. A registered nurse will help you get ready for surgery.
An intravenous (IV) drip will be started in a vein in your arm to give you fluids and medicines for your surgery.
A warming blanket will be placed on you. This is important to prevent infections after surgery.
You will be taken to the operating room.
The anaesthesiologist (doctor who will put you to sleep) will meet you and talk to you about ways to help with pain after the surgery. There are different ways of pain control.
Some ways to control pain are:
- Pain pump: a pump hooked to your intra-venous that gives you a set amount of pain control medication when you push the button.
- Epidural catheter (a small tube inserted in your back before the operation to “freeze” the area of the incision).

Your doctors will talk to you about the risks and benefits of all options.

Surgery will start with a general anesthetic to keep you asleep during surgery
The operation will take anywhere from 4-8 hours, but could take longer.
When your surgery is done you will spend 2-4 hours in the recovery room.
After the recovery room, you will be taken to a special area so you can be closely watched (intensive care unit).
After the surgery the surgeon will speak to your family or caregivers about how the surgery went.