A Pre-Admission Nurse will call you to discuss the pre-operative instructions. These instructions usually include refraining from eating or drinking anything, including water, after midnight on the day of surgery. You should also follow your doctor’s instructions regarding taking medications the night before or the day of surgery and not smoking after midnight on the day of surgery. If there are any changes in your physical condition, such as the onset of cold or flu symptoms, you should notify your surgeon immediately.

Your surgeon may order pre-operative testing such as blood work, EKGs or X-rays. These tests can be completed at the Texas Surgical Hospital and should be done 3-5 days before your surgery date. Our Pre-Admission Nurses are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM and can be reached at 972-820-2600. They will also call you the day before surgery to confirm your appointment.

You should arrive at Texas Surgical Hospital two hours before your scheduled surgery time.

Any patient receiving anesthesia/sedation should not drive until the next day. Patients will not be allowed to drive, walk, or take public transportation home after anesthesia/sedation. Your surgery will be canceled if you do not have a ride home with a responsible adult.

Please wear loose, comfortable clothing like t-shirts, button-down shirts, sweatpants or baggy shorts that will fit over dressings following surgery. You should also wear low-heeled, comfortable shoes. Do not apply makeup or bring any jewelry or valuables with you.

If you take medication for high blood pressure or asthma, you should take them the morning of surgery with a SMALL sip of water, unless otherwise directed by your surgeon. If you are on blood thinning medication such as aspirin, Plavix, Coumadin, Vitamin E, ibuprofen/Advil, naproxen/Aleve, or hormones, please check with your surgeon regarding when to discontinue these medications. Do not take your diabetic medication unless your surgeon specifically instructs you to do so the morning of surgery.

Please bring eyeglasses, contacts, dentures and hearing aids, with storage cases. Bring your insurance identification cards, driver’s license/photo identification, co-payments, and all medications you take regularly in their original containers. If you’re staying overnight, you may bring a favorite toy, blanket, or personal hygiene items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, shampoo, conditioner, lotion and powder, or you are welcome to use those provided by the hospital. Also, bring a copy of any Advanced Directives or Living Wills you may have.

Your pain management is of great importance to us. We will assess your pain level from the moment you arrive at the hospital until you receive our post-operative call at home. You will be repeatedly asked to rate your pain on a scale of “0 to 10”: “0” being no pain, “10” being the worst pain ever. For children, we use the Faces Pain Scale (see image below). We typically use a combination of different modalities to help manage your pain, such as oral and intravenous medications, nerve blocks, and injection of local anesthesia during the surgery. If you have any concerns or fears, please feel free to discuss them with us.

You will be taken to the recovery room and monitored for a period of time. If you’re having outpatient surgery, you’ll be discharged home after you have fully recovered. A nurse will review post-operative home care instructions with you and a responsible adult, including any special instructions provided by your surgeon regarding diet, rest, medications, follow-up appointments with the surgeon, how to use any supplied equipment (e.g. slings, crutches), and how long to take your pain medications, and more. If you’re being admitted to the hospital, you’ll be taken to your room.

When you follow up with your surgeon, he or she will discuss additional post-operative instructions such as rehabilitation, when stitches may be removed, when you can drive or return to work/school, how long to use crutches or sling.