Your Guide to Surgery Day
Everything to Expect Before, During & After Your Surgery
Preparing for surgery comes with a lot of questions, even when you trust your surgeon completely. This guide walks through what typically happens before, during, and after a procedure at the Center for Specialty Surgery, from your pre-operative appointment through your first days home.
Preparation and recovery instructions vary depending on your procedure and your individual health needs. Your surgeon and the Center for Specialty Surgery care team will give you detailed instructions about medications, eating and drinking, arrival time, transportation, and support at home. Always follow those personalized instructions when they differ from the general guidance below.
Before Your Surgery
Arranging Support
Plan to have someone drive you to and from your procedure, and arrange for a family member or friend to stay with you at home for at least the first few days afterward. You generally cannot drive yourself home or be left alone immediately following surgery. If you have pets, it's worth arranging care for them during your first week of recovery, too.
Preparing Your Home
A little preparation before surgery day makes recovery smoother:
Clear stairs and walkways of clutter, cords, and loose rugs
Add slip-resistant mats or strips to your bathtub or shower
Move frequently used kitchen and household items to a height you can reach without bending or stretching
Stock up on groceries and household essentials ahead of time
Set up a comfortable recovery spot with everything you'll need nearby
Medications Before Surgery
Your surgeon’s office will provide personalized instructions about medications and supplements before your procedure. Please follow those instructions and contact your surgeon’s office if you have any questions.
A Few Other Things to Know
Continue your normal daily activities right up until surgery, but hold off on starting anything new, like an unfamiliar exercise routine, unless your surgeon or physical therapist specifically recommends it. If you smoke, stopping at least a month before surgery measurably improves healing and lowers the risk of complications. Limiting alcohol to no more than one drink a day in the weeks beforehand helps too. Eating a protein-rich, well-balanced diet and staying well hydrated in the days leading up to surgery also supports healing.
What to Pack
You won't need much. Pack comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that's easy to get on and off after surgery, flat non-skid shoes, and a case for glasses, hearing aids, or dentures if you wear them. Leave jewelry, cash, and valuables at home, and don't bring any medications unless your surgeon specifically asks you to.
The Day of Your Surgery
When you arrive at our Portland facility at 11782 SW Barnes Rd, our front office team will check you in and get you settled. In our pre-operative area, a nurse will review your health history, get you into a gown and non-skid socks, and start an IV. You'll meet your anesthesiologist, who will confirm your anesthesia plan, and your surgeon, who will answer any last questions and mark the surgical site.
From there, you'll be taken into one of our five operating rooms, where our surgical team monitors you closely throughout your procedure. Once your surgery is complete, you'll move to a recovery area staffed by a dedicated nurse, where your vital signs are monitored as any anesthesia wears off.
Going Home
Most patients go home the same day. Before you're discharged, our team confirms that you're medically stable, your pain is reasonably controlled, you understand any precautions specific to your procedure, and you have a caregiver ready to help at home. It's normal to feel a little sleepy, lightheaded, or mildly nauseated for the first several hours after surgery; this typically passes on its own.
A member of our nursing team will usually call you the day after your surgery to check in and answer any questions that have come up since you left.
Your First Days at Home
Incision Care. Follow the specific wound care instructions you're given, and call your surgeon's office if you notice increasing redness or warmth, new or worsening drainage, a fever above 101°F, or separation of the incision.
Pain Management. Most patients use a combination of scheduled Tylenol and, if prescribed, a narcotic medication for more significant pain in the first few days. The goal is always to taper off narcotic medication as soon as you're comfortable doing so, since these carry risks of their own, including constipation and dependency.
Activity & Driving. Follow any movement precautions specific to your procedure closely, and don't drive while taking narcotic pain medication. Fatigue and unusual sleep patterns are common in the first couple of weeks; staying hydrated and keeping a normal sleep schedule as much as possible helps.
Physical Therapy. For many procedures, physical therapy, available in the same building through the team at Orthopedic + Fracture Specialists(opens in a new tab), is central to a full recovery. For a closer, day-by-day look at what that looks like, visit How We Get You Home.
Billing & Insurance
You may receive separate bills for your facility fee, your surgeon's fee, and your anesthesia, which is normal and not a billing error. Visit our Insurance page for our accepted plans, or call us directly with billing questions.
Questions Before Your Surgery?