Preparation & Expectations for Adult Day Surgery

Thank you for choosing Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center to provide for your surgical care needs. Our goal is to provide you with compassionate care, while keeping you informed throughout your stay. If at any point you feel that you need additional information, have questions or simply want an update on the plan for the day, please feel free to contact one of our team members at (713) 704-4375.

Day Before Surgery

A nurse from the Day Surgery department at Memorial Hermann Hospital will call you the day prior to your surgery to give you instructions and the most up to date information regarding your surgery and arrival time. If you have not received a call by noon the day before surgery, please contact one of our team members at (713) 704-4375.

Surgery Times May Change

Please keep in mind that the scheduled surgery time is our best estimate. Your surgery could be moved earlier or later on the schedule for many reasons. Thank you for being flexible and patient.

Arrival Information for Adults on the Day of Surgery

Parking is available in several garages near Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center. (Rates vary according to garage. Pay stations are conveniently located so that you may pay first before you leave.)

• Sterling Garage: This is the most convenient parking to day surgery registration.
• TMC Garage 4: TMC Garage 4 is accessible from both Fannin and Cambridge streets and provides visitors with access to the hospital.
• Memorial Hermann Medical Plaza Garage: The Memorial Hermann Medical Plaza Garage, located directly across Fannin Street from the hospital, has Skybridge access to the hospital. Self-parking is accessible from the southern entrances of the garage off both Main Street and Fannin Street.
• Hospital Valet: Valet access is available off of Fannin St., with access to the Fannin entrance of the hospital (Cullen Pavilion).
  • Flat rate of $17.00 per day
  • Monday through Friday: 5:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
  • Saturday & Sunday: 8 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Report to Sarofim Day Surgery Admissions, 2nd floor Sarofim Pavilion (6411 Fannin St. Houston, Texas 77030)

• Please bring two forms of ID (i.e. Driver's License, insurance card, etc.)
• Financial Considerations should be discussed with the Business Office prior to your surgery date. Their number is (713) 704-6209. They will advise you if any payments should be made at the time of admission. Bring only what cash, check or credit card will be needed.

After registering on the 2nd floor, you will be directed to the day surgery waiting area. Please be sure to check-in at the day surgery waiting area desk. Day Surgery Unit phone number is (713) 704-4375 and business hours are from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Any change in your physical condition, such as a cold, fever, persistent cough or rash, should be reported to your surgeon before the day of surgery. If this occurs, please call the surgeon's office to discuss if your surgery should be rescheduled.

Prescription medications may need to be taken at home before you arrive. If you haven’t given information regarding to any prescription or OTC drugs to the pre-admission nurse, please bring a complete list with the names of the drugs, doses, and times taken. If you take Aspirin, Coumadin, Plavix, or Lovenox, please call your surgeon’s office to see if you need to stop taking your blood thinners prior to surgery.

If you have any questions regarding prescription medications, please contact your surgeon’s office.

How to Prepare for Surgery

• Please pick up a bottle of Hibiclens/Chlorahexadine (CHG) wash (generic is ok) from your local pharmacy. Use as a body wash after your regular soap and shampoo the night before and the morning of surgery to decrease chances of infection before, during, and after surgery. Please inform staff of any allergies or sensitivity to CHG.
• Do not EAT anything after midnight the night before your surgery.
• Drinking clear liquids like water, sprite, or apple juice (no pulp) is okay ONLY UP UNTIL 3 HOURS PRIOR TO SCHEDULED SURGERY TIME.
• If you have any questions, please ask first. You may brush your teeth and rinse with water.
• If having a colonoscopy, please follow bowel prep instructions.
• If you were given instructions to drink a special pre-surgery carbohydrate drink, please do so as instructed.
• Do not drink any alcohol or use tobacco 24 hours before surgery as alcohol and nicotine may have an effect on anesthesia drugs.
• In order to proceed with your surgery, you must have a confirmed ride home, and accompanied by a responsible adult (18+) to participate in your discharge teaching. You should have someone available to help you with your care for 24 hours after surgery.
• If you have an Advance Directive (Living Will) or a Medical Power of Attorney, please bring a copy.
• Leave all jewelry/piercings at home along with other valuables.
• Please bring a case or supplies to store prescription glasses or contacts.
• Clothing should be loose, comfortable and easy to take off and put on after surgery.
• Do not use body lotions or hand creams as these can affect the function of the monitors.
• Remove all metal hairpins or barrettes.
• Our waiting room is cold - please bring a sweater/blanket.
• Be prepared to provide a urine sample for any possible labs that may be ordered the day of surgery.

If you need additional information or anticipate a late arrival, please notify us at (713) 704-4375.

Day of Surgery Itinerary

Pre-Op

You will arrive at least two hours prior to your scheduled procedure. This is to allow for the necessary clinical care (changing into hospital gown, vital signs, IV start, lab work, medication administration, etc.) prior to your surgery. Your surgeon and anesthesiologist will see you and answer any questions you may have, and our multidisciplinary team will perform a safety assessment during which you may be asked the same questions multiple times. Your family is welcome to stay with you during this phase of your care. Once the team has completed all quality checks, you will be taken to the operating room.

While in Surgery

Your family may wait in the 2nd Floor Day Surgery Waiting Room. Once surgery has started, the operating room nurse will call the waiting room and provide updates for your family.

Phase 1 Recovery - Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

After surgery is complete, your anesthesiologist and nurse will transport you to the PACU/recovery area. There may be a delay of up to 30 minutes to 1 hour after your surgeon speaks with your family before you actually arrive in recovery because they may still be in the closing process and it takes time to wake up from anesthesia. While in the recovery room, the nurse will monitor the patient’s airway, stabilize vital signs and manage pain and nausea. The anesthesiologist will assess the patient prior to discharging the patient from the PACU. Once the patient has met all criteria, a transfer will take place to the next phase of care. If the patient is going home they will be transferred to Phase 2 Recovery for discharge. If they are being admitted, a room will be requested and the patient will be transferred once it is available.

Phase 1 Recovery is a closed unit, so you will see your family after you have left the Recovery area, either in Phase 2 recovery for discharge or in your Patient Room.

Estimated length of Phase 1 recovery: 1½ - 2 Hours

Phase 2 Recovery - Discharge Unit

If you are going home after your surgery, this will be the last phase of your stay with us. You can expect to be sitting up in a recliner and your family will be invited to join you. You will be offered fluids to drink and a light snack. Once your pain is tolerable, and all criteria are met, you will be discharged home with a responsible adult.

Estimated length of Phase 2 recovery time: 1 - 1½ Hour

Please understand that these times are estimates. We will make sure that your care is safe and effective throughout the entire process. Should you require special attention, for any reason, we will do our best to provide it.