Our Department of Surgery offers General Surgery services, as well as subspecialty services in Bariatric Surgery, Colorectal Surgery, Neurosurgery, Surgical Oncology, Pediatric Urology Surgery, Otolaryngology Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Trauma Surgery, Urology and Vascular Surgery. We work closely with primary care physicians and specialists in other disciplines such as the Laser Center, Robotic Surgery and Minimally Invasive Surgery to effectively manage patients with various diseases and conditions. Department members are also involved in a wide range of clinical research projects and trials.

More than 22,000 surgeries are performed in the 22 operating suites at OUR Hospital each year. We offer surgical procedures that include but are not limited to:

• Colon and Breast Cancer
• Ear, Nose and Throat
• General and Vascular Surgery
• Gynecological
• Men's Health
• Neurological Surgery treating spine and brain disorders
• Open Heart and Thoracic Surgery
• Orthopedic Surgery treating bone and joint disorders
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

These are just a few of the many surgical options at available at Our Hospital. Please consult your physician for more information. Find a Physician.

 If you are planning on having surgery, your physician will give you a packet to bring to the OUR Department within three days of your surgery for a pre-operative visit. During this mandatory visit, you will meet with a nurse, who will clarify all information and complete your pre and post operative instructions. If the tests are to be done at the hospital, it's very important that the tests are done no longer than three days before. Your physician may have requested reports to be evaluated from another physician's office.

Before Surgery - Tests

Your physician may schedule a series of tests, including blood and urine analysis, chest X-ray and an electrocardiogram (EKG).

Surgery Consent

You will need to review and sign a surgery consent form. A parent or legal guardian must sign for a minor (under age 18). The next of kin or legal guardian must sign for a patient who is unable to sign for himself. Guardians must bring proof of guardianship.

Food and Drink

During surgery, it is important to have an empty stomach to avoid vomiting and associated complications. Therefore, you may be asked not to eat or drink anything several hours before surgery (including water, gum and candy). The nurse will give you instructions.

Day of Surgery - Getting Ready

Bathe or shower as usual the day of your surgery, removing all makeup and nail polish. At the hospital, you will change into a hospital gown. At this time, you should remove contact lenses. Please be sure to notify your nurse if you have dentures or partial plates.

What to Bring

• A list of your medications
• Metered dose inhaler, if you use one
• Most current insurance cards, information for billing, and any pre authorizations required for services
• A list of any allergies you may have
• Advance Directives if you wish them to be a part of your medical record (Living Will/Medical Durable Power of Attorney)

What Not to Bring

• Valuables. The hospital cannot be responsible for your jewelry and other valuables. Please leave them at home or give them to a family member to hold for you until after your procedure.

Medications

You may receive pre-operation medication to help you relax. You should not take your regular medications unless ordered by a physician. You will be instructed which medications you should take the day of surgery. Some medications and herbal products should be discontinued well in advance of your surgery. Please verify that information with your physician.

Surgery

We will make final surgical preparations in the Surgery area before taking you to the operating room. Your operating room nurse will introduce him or herself, check your identification band and ask a few questions. An Anesthesiologist will speak with you and answer questions before administering your anesthetic.

Surgery Recovery - Post Anesthesia Care / Recovery

After surgery, you will be taken to Recovery in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) where your vital signs (blood pressure, pulse and respiration) will be monitored. This room is designed and staffed to care for several patients at a time. You may be aware of other patients and activities going on around you.

Post Surgery

At OUR Hospital we are concerned about our patients’ pain. While we may not be able to take away all of your pain, we want to make you as comfortable as possible. When pain is controlled, you will not only feel better, you may heal faster, and regain your strength back sooner. Be sure to talk with your nurses and doctors about pain control.

Instructions for Family and Visitors - Family Waiting

Your family members may wait in the Surgery Waiting Area during your surgery. A volunteer will be available to help answer their questions. Usually, your physician will visit with them after your surgery.