Preparing
for Your Surgery
or Procedure
Welcome
Thank you for choosing Cedars-Sinai for your surgery
or procedure.
This booklet will help you and your loved ones get ready.
It will help y
ou know what to expect. We believe that
people who know about their surgery or procedure are
less anxious and have better experiences and recovery.
This booklet will tell you:
•
How to get ready for your surgery
•
What to expect on the day of your surgery
•
What to expect while you are in the hospital
•
What to expect when you go home
•
How to continue recovering when you are home
Contact
CONTACT
Our Address and How to Reach Us
Anesthesia Pre-Procedure Evaluation Center (APEC)
Pavilion, Plaza Level, Suite A2600A
127 S. San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048
•
Phone:
310-423-4068
•
Fax: 310-423-0108
•
Email:
APEC@cshs.org
Other Important Cedars-Sinai Phone Numbers
•
Patient Financial Services (Billing): 323-866-8600
•
Medical Records:
310-423-2259
•
Admissions: 310-423-6315
•
Spiritual Care:
310-423-5550
•
Blood Donor Services:
310-423-5346
•
Parking Oce:
310-423-5535
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Preparing for Your Surgery or Procedure
Health Evaluation and Preoperative (Before Surgery) Appointments
You will need to get a complete history and physical examination.
Every person who has surgery or a procedure must rst be evaluated by a healthcare provider, such as your
surgeon. We want to make sure it is safe for you to have surgery and be given anesthesia (the medicines that put
you to sleep during surgery).
Your surgeon will tell you which tests you need and where to have them done. The tests must be done at least
2 weeks before your surgery.
Be sure to bring your Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) forms with you, if needed.
Here is a list of the tests that you may need:
•
Blood tests
•
COVID-19 test
•
Chest X-ray
•
Urine test
•
Electrocardiogram (EKG)
to check your heart
•
Some people will have a nasal swab test. This
test checks for bacteria (germs) in your nose.
If the test is positive, it means you have a kind
of bacteria that can cause an infection after
surgery. If you have this bacteria, we will give
you special instructions to help keep you from
getting an infection.
Blood Tests
There are two important blood tests. One is called type and screen, and the other is called type and
crossmatch. These tests can only be done at APEC or an approved Cedars-Sinai lab. We can give you a list
of approved labs.
If you need these blood tests, they must be done in the 30 days before the surgery or procedure. If your
surgery was rescheduled or canceled, your tests may need to be redone as they must be completed in the
30 days before your surgery.
There are some groups of people who must follow di erent, special directions. Check to see if you are in
one of these groups.
People who have been pregnant
Blood tests must be done no more than
3 days before your surgery.
People who had a blood transfusion of somebody
else’s blood in the 90 days before your surgery
Blood tests must be done no more than
3 days before your surgery.
People with a history of a positive
antibody screen
Blood tests must be done no more than
3 days before your surgery.
People who are in the hospital
Any blood tests done in the hospital
are only good for 3 days.
Blood Donation–Getting Blood During Your Surgery
If you need blood during your surgery, there are 3 kinds you can use:
•
You can use your own blood. This is called an autologous donation. You can start
donating 42 days before your surgery. When it is 7 days before your surgery, you
cannot donate anymore.
•
You can get blood from donors that you have chosen. These are called designated
or directed donors.
•
You can get blood from the Blood Bank or from community donors (people you
don’t know).
Insurance Coverage
We may need to get pre-authorization from your health insurance company to do the surgery
or procedure. Make sure to give your surgeon the most recent information for all your
insurance plans. Always carry your insurance and prescription drug cards with you. If you
have questions, call 310-423-6315 and press Option 2 for Pre-Registration.
Your Prescription and Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications
Bring a list of all medicines that you take. Your doctor will need to know the last time you
took each medicine.
•
Prescriptions (the kind that need a doctor’s order)
•
Herbs, like Chinese or traditional healer medicines
•
Vitamins and supplements
•
OTC medicines (the kind you can buy in a drugstore)
Ask your doctor if you need to stop any of your medicine before your surgery. Some people
must stop taking speci c medicines, such as blood thinners.
Pain Medications and Pain Control
Tell your doctor about any pain medicines you take. We need to know so we can take care of
your pain after surgery. If you take high doses of opiates (such as morphine and codeine), ask
your doctor for a pain management consultation.
PREPARING FOR YOUR SURGERY OR PROCEDURE
5
Preparing for Your Surgery or Procedure
Things to Bring to Your Preoperative Appointments
•
Photo ID (driver’s license, passport or state ID card)
•
Insurance card and prescription drug card
•
Copy of any doctor’s orders for pre-procedure tests or blood donation
•
List of all medicines that you take (prescription, OTC, herbal, vitamins
and supplements)
•
List of allergies
•
Health history
•
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) forms, if needed
•
Copy of advance health directive (if you have one)
•
Copy of ID card for your pacemaker or your implantable cardioverter debrillator (AICD).
For your safety, your AICD or pacemaker may need to be turned o during surgery.
Registration for Your Preoperative Appointments
If you are having your preoperative tests at Cedars-Sinai, allow enough time (about 2 to 4 hours) to register
and complete all your tests, such as X-rays, ultrasound, etc.
•
Bring all your paperwork, including the doctor’s orders for your tests.
•
We will collect blood for the blood tests.
•
You may need an EKG to check your heart.
A nurse will:
•
Check your name, date of birth, admission status (inpatient vs. outpatient)
and planned surgery or procedure
•
Do a basic health examination, including vital signs
•
Talk to you about safety and preventing surgical site infections
•
Answer questions and connect you to other services, if necessary
Detailed parking information can be found at cedars-sinai.org/parking. We recommend parking in the Pavilion
P4 lot since it is the closest parking available to the Anesthesia Pre-Procedure Evaluation Center (APEC).
Things to Know and Do Before Your Surgery or Procedure
•
Find someone to drive you to and from the hospital. Remember that you will need your
doctor’s permission before you start driving again.
•
You need someone to stay with you for at least 24 hours after the surgery. Depending on
your surgery, you also may want a family member or friend to stay with you for a few more
days to help with bathing, meals and taking medications.
•
Ask your doctor if you can pick up any rells or new prescriptions before your surgery.
•
Give us the names and phone numbers of your emergency contacts.
•
Eat healthy foods that are low in salt, saturated fats and sugar.
•
Eat foods with a lot of ber to help keep you from getting constipated.
•
Stop drinking alcohol.
•
If you smoke, talk to your doctor about quitting smoking.
What to Bring to the Hospital
•
Photo ID (driver’s license, if you have one)
•
Health insurance card and pharmacy prescription card
•
Clothing that is easy to put on (loose pants, shirts that button or snap, shoes that slip on)
•
Eyeglasses, contact lenses, hearing aid
•
Cellphone
•
Credit card for any post-operative medications that require a co-pay.
What to Do if You Get Sick Before Your Surgery
Call your doctor right away if you get sick before surgery. If you get sick in the 10 days before
your surgery, tell your doctor if you have any of these:
•
Cold, u, fever or chills
•
Any type of infection, including tooth abscess
•
Any non-healing ulcer or skin wound, such as insect bites
•
Herpes outbreak
•
Skin rash or any kind of "are-up"
PREPARING FOR YOUR SURGERY OR PROCEDURE
What to Do if You Think You Are Pregnant
Call your surgeon right away if you think that you are pregnant. Your surgery may have to be
delayed or canceled.
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What to Expect Before Your Surgery
Your surgeon’s oce will call you a few days before your surgery to make sure that you have the right
surgery time and place.
Call your surgery scheduler or doctor's oce if you have any questions. Do not call your surgeon or
physician assistant.
•
Plan on coming to the hospital 2 hours before your scheduled surgery time, or as directed
by your physician.
•
Bring your photo ID and health insurance information with you.
The Day Before Surgery
•
Follow your doctor's instructions regarding eating food and drinking liquids before your surgery.
Refer to any handouts given to you on what you can eat and drink.
•
Do not drink alcohol the day or night before your surgery.
•
Try to relax and get a good night’s rest.
The Day of Your Surgery
Follow your doctor’s instructions for the morning of your surgery:
•
Do not drink any liquids or eat any food, including gum, mints or candy.
•
If you must take medication, you can swallow it with a small sip of water.
•
When you brush your teeth, do not swallow any water.
•
Shower with CHG the morning of your surgery (see separate handout included in back of this booklet)
or visit cedars-sinai.org/CHG for instructions.
•
Do not wear jewelry. Leave all valuables at home.
Checking in for Surgery
Your surgery scheduler will tell you when and where to check in for surgery. Please be on time and bring
your photo ID and health insurance cards.
After checking in, you will sit in the waiting area until we take you to the preoperative holding area. The
anesthesia team will meet with you, and your IV will be started before you go into surgery.
We will do our best to start your surgery on time. We will tell you if your surgery must wait because of an
emergency or if your doctor is delayed.
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After Your Surgery
Your Postoperative Recovery
Nurses will take care of you in the recovery room until you are stable. Being stable means that
you are awake and able to talk. It also means that your body (including your heart) is working
right and your blood pressure is within normal limits. The nurses will tell you if you can have
any visitors while you are in recovery. The number of visitors allowed is subject to change.
You will have a dressing (bandage) covering your surgical site. You may have a tube to drain
uid away from the incision (cuts in skin). You may also have a drain in your bladder called
a catheter to help your care team watch and measure your urine (pee). We will take the
catheter out soon after your surgery to lower the risk of infection.
Leaving the Recovery Room and Going Home
You will be discharged from the recovery room to your home or transferred to an outpatient
area where you can fully recover before going home. The nurse will give you written
instructions about your post-surgery care and explain them to you.
You may be given any prescriptions that your surgeon has ordered for you. Before you leave,
ask your nurse to send the prescription to your pharmacy.
When you are ready, we will take you by wheelchair to meet your ride home. You will need to
have a family member or friend drive you home after your surgery or procedure. You cannot
use a taxi or ride share service.
If You Are Admitted to the Hospital
If you are admitted to the hospital after your surgery, we will move you from the recovery
room to a private room. Your loved ones can meet you there.
Your nursing team will visit you at least once an hour to check your vital signs and help
control your pain. It is normal for you to feel tired for a few hours after your surgery. We will
try not to wake you up if you are sleeping, but we will keep checking on you.
Your surgeon will let you know when you can expect to go home. You should be ready to
leave by 10 a.m. on your discharge date.
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W H A T T O E X P E C T B E F O R E & A F T E R Y O U R S U R G E R Y
Leaving the Hospital
Appointments After You Leave the Hospital
You may need to see your surgeon within 10 days after you leave the hospital. Your surgeon
will let you know if you need to make an appointment. The surgeon will check to see how
you are healing. If you still have sutures (stitches) or staples, they will be taken out during
this visit.
Taking Your Medications
Before you leave, the nurse will give you a list of all your medications and tell you how to
take them. Make sure that you understand the instructions. When you need medication
rells, do not call the hospital. You must ask your surgeon, specialist or primary care doctor.
When to Call Your Doctor
It is normal to have some bruising, swelling and soreness where you had your surgery. But if
you have any of the symptoms listed below, call your surgeon:
•
A fever above 101 degrees
•
A fever and chills together
•
Redness that gets larger and moves away from your surgery site
•
Liquid comes out of your cuts
•
Any of your cuts are open
•
You have more swelling where you were cut
If you cannot reach any of your doctors or if you have an emergency,
call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
LEAVING THE HOSPITAL
11
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
Important Dates to Remember
My Preoperative (Pre-Op) Health Evaluation
(To Make Sure You Are Healthy Enough for Surgery)
•
Date:
•
Time:
•
Where:
Your doctor’s oce at:
or
Anesthesia Pre-Procedure Evaluation Center (APEC), Pavilion, Plaza Level
My Surgery Date
•
Date:
•
Arrival Time:
•
Surgery Time:
•
Where:
My Postoperative (Post-Op) Appointment
•
Date/Time:
•
Doctor/Specialist:
•
Where:
12
Sherbourne Drive
George Burns Road
Beverly Boulevard
San Vicente Boulevard
Gracie Allen Drive
3rd Street
SAPERSTEIN
SAPERSTEIN
E LE VATOR S
PAVILION
Pavilion
Education
Center
Pavilion
Imaging
APEC
PAVILION
GOLD PARKING
E LE VATOR S
PAVILION
E LE VATOR S
NORTH TOWER
SOUTH TOWER
Harvey
Morse
Auditorium
Chapel
Medical
Records
North
Towe r
Conference
North Garden
South Garden
LOWER LEVEL
ACCESS
OSCHIN
CANCER
CENTER
via North Tower
Elevators
STREET LEVEL
ACCESS
TAPE R
via North Tower
Elevators
South Plaza Lab
Nursing
Institute
MEDICAL
OFFICES
WEST
MEDICAL
OFFICES
EAST
NORTH
TOWER
E LE VATOR S
PAVILION
GREEN PARKING
E LE VATOR S
NORTH
PLAZA
MEDICAL
OFFICES
EAST
E LE VATOR S
MEDICAL
OFFICES
WEST
E LE VATOR S
SOUTH
TOWER
E LE VATOR S
SOUTH
PLAZA
P4
FOOD & RE TAIL
Starbucks
Judi’s Restaurant
Plaza Cafe
Sandwich Bar
Coffee Bean
North Tower Cafe
Pavilion Cafe
PL A Z A PAT H WAY
Plaza
Building Entrance
Plaza Pathway
SERVICES
Parking Kiosk
Restroom
Pharmacy
Information Desk
ATM
Elevator
Gift Shop
Visitor Parking
Anesthesia Pre-Procedure
Evaluation Center (APEC)
Pavilion, Plaza Level
Suite A2600A
127 S. San Vicente Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Phone: 310-423-4068
Fax: 310-423-0108
Email:
APEC@cshs.org
© 2020 Cedars-Sinai 11179 (1120)
