Surgery Preparation

Preparing for your surgery

Read the surgery guide for what to expect before, during and after your procedure.

Before your procedure

Register with the Department of Admissions
Before your procedure, register with the Department of Admissions on the 3rd floor, across from the Information Desk by the garage elevators. Or you can fill out this form.

Schedule pre-anesthesia testing
This is helpful to determine any pre-existing health conditions that may affect anesthesia plans. If you have a special, rare circumstance/condition where you are likely to have a complex surgery, there is an anesthesiologist who will provide a formal consultation (if needed). To make an appointment, call 832-826-3631.

If you are taking aspirin or blood thinners, check with your physician to determine if you need to stop these medications. If your physician instructs you to take blood pressure medications, you may take with sips of water the morning of your procedure.

The day before your surgery
Do not eat or drink anything, including water, after midnight the day before your surgery. Gum, mints or hard candies are not allowed. Refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol.

On the day of your surgery

What you'll need to bring with you
Please report to the 5th floor of Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women 1.5 to 2 hours before your scheduled procedure. You may have 2 family members with you in the pre-operative area.

Please bring a list of allergies and any medications you’re taking. Pack an overnight bag in the event it’s necessary to spend the night at the hospital. Bring a pillow, blanket and towel to make your car ride home more comfortable, and bring a wheelchair if necessary. Do not bring any valuables.

What you should wear
Dress in loose, comfortable clothing to allow for possible bulky bandages. Do not wear contact lenses, makeup (especially eye makeup), false eyelashes, nail polish or jewelry (including body piercings).

After your surgery

Recovery
You’ll spend approximately 2 hours in the Recovery Room. One family member may stay with you for a limited time once you have completed the initial recovery phase. Please ask your family members to inform the receptionist in the waiting room if they need to leave the area.

Getting home
For your comfort, please plan to be picked up as soon as possible after your discharge. Because of your surgery, it is not safe for you to drive; you will not be permitted to drive or take public transportation alone. Arrange in advance for an adult to drive you home upon discharge. You may also take a cab if an adult accompanies you (not including the cab driver). For the next 24 hours after your procedure, you are not to be alone; you must have a responsible adult with you. You may be sleepy and unsteady from the anesthetic.

Managing pain
Take your pain medicine as prescribed by your physician. Do not take aspirin or aspirin-containing products (eg: BC powders), which can increase the risk of bleeding. Call your physician if you have continued significant pain after taking the prescribed pain medicine as directed.

Diet and activity
You may eat whatever appeals to you; however, some postoperative patients are more comfortable if they begin with a clear liquid diet and slowly add solid foods. Do not drink alcohol while taking pain medications.

For the first 24 hours, rest as needed. Resume normal activities as instructed by your physician, as every surgery is different. Your physician will tell you when you can return to work or resume exercising. You may drive when you are no longer taking narcotic pain medication, and you are physically able to turn and twist without much pain. Use caution when walking during your first 24 hours out of the hospital.

Medication
Your physician may prescribe an antibiotic to prevent infection, medication for postoperative pain or medication to treat nausea. Take all medications as prescribed.

Caring for your incision
Keep the wound clean and dry. A little swelling is common following surgery and will go away. A small amount of straw-colored discharge from the incision is normal. If you have any redness, heat, increased swelling, oozing, blood or drainage at the surgical site, call your physician. If you do not have an incision, you may shower the same day after surgery. Patients with an incision may shower the day after surgery. Pat the incision dry with a soft towel or cloth.

When to call your physician
Call your physician immediately if you have any of the following symptoms

• If you have a fever 101˚ F or greater
• If you have increased pain or pain which does not get better when the prescribed pain medicine is taken as instructed
• If you have any increased redness or swelling or any bleeding or drainage from the surgical site(s)
• If you have nausea that does not get better with the prescribed nausea medicine
• If you experience vomiting more than three times
• If you are unable to urinate six to eight hours after the time of discharge

If you have an emergency, go to the Women’s Assessment Center on the 11th floor of the Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women. Their telephone number is 832-826-3150.

Important phone numbers

• Pre-operative and PACU area
  832-826-3505
   
• Registration/Admissions
  832-826-3300
   
• Women’s Surgery Waiting Reception Desk
  832-826-3553