Before your surgery
First, you will be seen by our preadmission clinic a few weeks before your surgery. A nurse will answer your questions and schedule your preoperative examinations, where applicable.
Admission will contact you a few weeks later to tell you the date of your surgery. For information about waiting lists, call 450-359-5000, ext. 5147.
To make your stay easier, we recommend you read these tips and instructions before you arrive at the hospital.
The day before your surgery
Time of the surgery
- Make sure you’re available to receive the call confirming your surgery time.
- Report any change in your health condition: flu, cough, fever, cold, sore throat, urinary tract infection, skin abscess, late period (could indicate a pregnancy), etc.
- Show up on time for your appointment; if you can’t make it, let the receptionist know at least 48 hours in advance, by calling: 450-359-5000, ext. 5147
Preparing yourself, body and mind
- Do the preparations requested by your surgeon or nurse, where applicable.
- Since you need to be fasting, do not eat or drink anything after midnight, including liquids, water, food, or gum. Eat an early supper and avoid greasy foods.
- Do not consume coffee, alcohol or drugs for 24 hours before the surgery. Do not smoke for 24 hours before the surgery.
- Maintain a positive attitude and talk about your concerns with a family member or trusted friend. Get a good night’s sleep.
- Don’t do any strenuous activity. Instead, rest, relax and take naps.
- Take a shower or bath to clean your skin and prevent infections.
- Follow the treatment and medications prescribed by your doctor, while paying attention to your symptoms.
- Establish your recovery plan, including the help you’ll need with your personal hygiene, meals and housework.
Support person
You will need to be accompanied by a responsible person on the day of your surgery.
What to bring for your stay
- Your valid health insurance card. If your health insurance card is no longer valid, contact the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) before your surgery date. For any questions, visit the section on renewing your health insurance card;
- Your hospital card;
- Your usual medications, in their original containers, including over-the-counter medications and natural products;
- Cases for your dentures, eyeglasses and contact lenses, where applicable;
- Tissues.
Do not bring any jewelry or valuable items with you to the hospital. However, if required, bring enough money for any specific needs related to your surgery.
Important
If you have general anesthesia, you should not drive for the first 24 hours following the surgery; bring a support person with you.
The day of your surgery
When you get up
- Do not eat or drink anything and follow the instructions from the preadmission clinic.
- Take your medications as prescribed by your doctor.
- Take a bath or a shower. Do not apply makeup or nail polish, as this will prevent the surgeon from monitoring your skin colour during the procedure.
- Remove jewelry, contact lenses, hair clips and body piercings.
Your admission to the hospital
Arrive at the appointment centre (window 35) at the scheduled time, accompanied by a family member or friend; make sure you are fasting. You will then be sent to Day Surgery.
When you arrive in Day Surgery, inform the nurse of any change in your health condition.
Next steps
The Day Surgery nurse will admit you and answer your questions. She will then prepare you for surgery and fill out your medical record.
An attendant will bring you to the operating block.
After the surgery, you will spend some time in the recovery room, after which you will be sent to Day Surgery until you are discharged.
After the surgery
Your discharge
You can leave the hospital the same day as your surgery, as soon as your condition is stable. A nurse will give you the standard recommendations for your health condition and type of surgery.
Make sure you have:
- your health insurance card and hospital card;
- the prescriptions and recommendations from your doctor;
- your personal medications;
- the details of your next doctor’s appointment;
- a number to call in case of a medical emergency.
Pain and pain killers
You will be given pain killers after the surgery. If you are in pain, don’t hesitate to tell the nursing staff. Proper pain relief is important to your recovery process. We encourage you to get up quickly to avoid postoperative complications.
Recovery
Your surgeon and the nursing staff will give you information about your recovery. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to talk to them.
If your condition requires, arrangements will be made, where applicable, with the general services or home care team at your local CLSC for you to receive postoperative care and services.