Preparing for Surgery

Know what to expect before, during and after your surgery to make your experience as smooth as possible.

If you’re going to have surgery, you’ll need to prepare ahead of time for the day of surgery and recovery. Knowing what to expect can help put you at ease. Our surgical team will work with you to make sure you’re ready.

Depending on your procedure, the surgical team will have specific instructions for you to follow ahead of time.

Before Surgery

Your Pre-surgery Confirmation Call

Whether you are scheduled for an inpatient or outpatient surgical procedure, you'll need to call the Ambulatory Care Unit (ACU) at 802.747.1741 between 2-4pm the business day before your scheduled surgery. They will then inform you of your arrival time. This is also an opportunity for you to ask any last-minute questions about how to prepare or what to bring.

You’ll receive a pre-surgical booklet with detailed information about what to expect when you come for surgery. You’ll also get patient personal history forms and detailed pre-surgery instructions from your surgeon’s office. Review the instructions and complete and return any forms. If you’re scheduled for surgery and have not received your packet of information, contact Rutland’s Ambulatory Care Unit (ACU) at 802.747.1741 .

What to Do Ahead of Time:

Read your pre-surgical booklet and contact the ACU with any questions.
Complete and send back forms using the self-addressed stamped envelope in the packet of information provided by your surgeon’s office.
Decide what items you’ll bring to the hospital, and pack a bag including your insurance card, photo ID, medicines, and personal care items.
Walk through your house to look for hazards that could cause you to trip or fall (rugs, wires, etc.). Put a non-slip mat in your shower.
Make a plan with the person who will come with you to the hospital and drive you home (your companion).

Pre-Op Instructions

It will be important to follow any instructions provided by your surgeon’s office. Know that if you don’t follow instructions, your surgery can be canceled.

To help you prepare for the day of your surgery, learn what to wear and not wear to surgery, guidelines for eating before surgery, and more ahead of time.

We suggest wearing comfortable clothing, including loose-fitting clothing that is easy to take on and off. You may want to wear slip-on shoes and bring hair ties to keep your hair out of the way.

What Not to Wear:

Makeup
Jewelry
Nail polish
Body jewelry
Contact lenses

Pre-Op Preparation Timeline:

At least one week before surgery: Stop diet medicines, over the counter diet medicines, and herbal medicines.
At least 72 hours before surgery: Stop shaving any areas related to your surgery.
8 hours before surgery: Do not eat anything within this time period.
2 hours before surgery: Stop drinking all but clear liquids (water, ginger ale, cranberry juice, or apple juice is okay).

Pre-Surgical Videos

At Rutland Regional we understand that having surgery is never easy. To help prepare you for your surgery, please watch one of the two videos below. One version is for adult patients and the other is for pediatric patients.

*Please note, these videos are best viewed using the internet browser Google Chrome. Alternatively, they can be viewed through Microsoft Edge but they generally won't load if using Internet Explorer.*

On the Day of Your Surgery

Checking In

When you arrive at the hospital, you’ll need to go find your way to the Ambulatory Care Unit (ACU), located on the second floor. The videos below will show you how to navigate the building and walk you through what to expect.

Check in at the ACU desk where you’ll review paperwork. Your companion will leave their contact information with the desk staff before heading to the waiting room.

Pre-Op Steps

Next, an ACU nurse will bring you in to prepare for surgery. You’ll change into a hospital gown and store your personal items in a locker. The ACU nurse will take your blood pressure and temperature and confirm your medical information. Be sure to report any health changes like recent infections, cold or flu, or rashes. They will also start an IV if necessary.

Your anesthesiologist (the person who will give medicine to prevent pain during surgery) will come in next to talk with you about your needs and options.

Before your surgery begins, you’ll meet your entire surgical team.

After Surgery

If your companion has questions while waiting, they can ask a volunteer or talk with staff at the check-in desk. Staff will keep your companion updated on progress.

After surgery is complete and you have returned to your room, your companion can come in to see you. When it’s time for you to go home, you and your companion will receive discharge instructions to follow at home. If you have questions after you go home, contact the Ambulatory Care Unit (ACU) at 802.747.1741.

Having Joint Replacement Surgery?

If you are having surgery specific to joints, after you've watched the general surgery video, please be sure to watch the Joint Replacement videos found on the Joint Replacement page. Here you will find a general pre-surgery education video for joint replacement surgeries, as well as specific videos to Hip, Knee and Shoulder replacement.

You will also find Before & After Surgery Education books for specific types of joint replacement surgery, including: