Preparation & Expectations for Adult Day Surgery

Thank you for choosing Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center 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.

If you are looking for information regarding your upcoming Pre-Admission Testing (PAT) appointment, please follow the link here.

Pre-Anesthesia Clinic

A nurse from the anesthesia clinic will call you regarding your upcoming surgery.

• If your surgery/procedure is scheduled within or less than 3 days of the time you see your surgeon/doctor, please call the triage line directly.
• If your surgeon has asked you to make an anesthesia clinic appointment, please call to make the appointment as soon as possible. 

Anesthesia clinic appointment scheduling: (713) 704-3724

• Within 3 days of your surgery, if you have not spoken to a nurse from the anesthesia clinic, please call the triage line.

Anesthesia clinic triage line: (713) 704-3037

Day Before Surgery

A staff member from the Day Surgery department at Memorial Hermann-TMC will call you the day prior to your surgery to give you final instructions and the most up to date information regarding your surgery and arrival time. If you have not received a call by 3 p.m. the day before surgery, please contact one of our Day Surgery 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. We strive to keep you updated on any changes. Thank you for your flexibility and patience.

How to Prepare for Surgery

• One bottle of pre-surgical liquid soap - Hibiclens/Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG); generic is okay.
• Two freshly laundered washcloths/bath sponges
• If you received instructions to drink a special pre-surgery carbohydrate drink, please do so as instructed.
  •  Diabetic patients: please follow specific instructions given by the Anesthesia Clinic/Phone Assessment Nurse.

Night Before Surgery:

• Drink two bottles of Pre-Surgery Clear Carbohydrate Drink (such as Ensure Pre-Surgical Clear). Drink both bottles within 30 minutes of each other.
• Shower with the Hibiclens/CHG wash using clean washcloth/bath sponge (avoiding face and genital area)

Morning of Surgery:

• Shower again with the Hibiclens/CHG wash using second clean washcloth/bath sponge
  • Do not apply anything on your skin except deodorant after the surgical showers. Do not apply deodorant if you are having breast/chest or underarm surgery.
• Drink final bottle of Pre-Surgery Clear Carbohydrate Drink 1 hour prior to your arrival time (such as Ensure Pre-Surgical Clear). Drink the entire bottle within 30 minutes. Do not drink anything after this.
• You may drink clear liquids the morning of surgery up to 3 hours before surgery.
  • Clear liquids include water, sprite, Gatorade, apple juice (no pulp) and plain, black coffee.
• Medications cleared by the Anesthesia Clinic may be taken with a small sip of water.
• Remove all jewelry, piercings and contact lenses.

Additional Pre-Op Instructions:

• If having a colonoscopy, please follow the bowel prep instructions provided by your GI doctor.
• Do not drink any alcohol, use tobacco products or recreational drugs for at least 24 hours before surgery, as these substances may have an adverse effect on anesthesia drugs.
• In order to proceed with your surgery, you must have a confirmed ride home (No UBER, TAXI or LYFT), and must be accompanied by a responsible adult (18+) to participate in your discharge teaching. You should have someone available to help you with your care for the first 24 hours after surgery.
• If you wear prescription glasses, please bring a case or supplies to properly store them.
• Clothing should be loose, comfortable and easy to take off and put on after surgery.
• Please be sure your family member brings a sweater/blanket while waiting, the room may be cold.
• If you have an Advance Directive – Directive to Physicians (Living Will) or a Medical Power of Attorney, please bring a copy.

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.

If you have not provided information regarding prescription or over-the-counter (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.

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

Arrival Information for Adults on the Day of Surgery

The Sterling Garage is the closest parking garage to the Adult Day Surgery Admissions area.

Sterling Garage Address:
1400 Ross Sterling Street
Houston, TX 77030

*Parking rates for Sterling Garage are comparable to other parking options available.

Directions from Sterling Garage (from Fannin St) to Adult Day Surgery Admissions:

• Turn into the parking garage with the STEEP entrance ramp to enter Sterling Garage.
• Take a ticket at the top of the garage and park on any level.
• Enter the glass double doors inside the parking garage and press level *2.
• If you require wheelchair assistance from the garage, please call the nurse’s station at (713)704-4375 and a staff member will assist you.
• Report to Sarofim Day Surgery Admissions, 2nd floor Sarofim Pavilion
• 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. The Business Office number is (713) 704-6209. The Business Office 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 to make the necessary payment to your account.

Additional 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).

Additional Parking Options

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. Our Day Surgery unit phone number is (713) 704-4375 and business hours are from 5 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Friday.

Day of Surgery Itinerary

Pre-Op

You will arrive at least 2 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. Be prepared to provide a urine sample for any possible labs that may be ordered they day of surgery.

Prior to surgery, your surgeon and anesthesiologist will see you and answer any questions you may have. 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.

While in Surgery

Your family may wait in the 2nd Floor Day Surgery waiting room. Once surgery has started, the operating room nurse will either call the waiting room and provide updates for your family or send text updates to the family's phone number provided at check-in.

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

After surgery is complete, the surgeon and/or the surgery team will visit the waiting room or call your designated family member to provide an update. Once you are stable, your anesthesiologist and the operating room nurse will transport you to the PACU/Recovery area.

While in the Recovery room, the nurse will monitor your airway, stabilize vital signs and manage any pain and nausea. The anesthesiologist will assess you prior to discharging you from PACU. Once you have met all criteria, a transfer will take place to the next phase of care.

Phase 1 PACU is a closed recovery unit; you will see your family after you have left the PACU recovery area. If you are going home, you will be transferred to the Phase 2 Recovery unit. One (1) family member will be asked to the unit to assist with the discharge process.

If you are being admitted, a room will be requested, and you will be transferred once it is available. Your recovery leadership team will be working diligently to assign you an in-patient room. If you are experiencing a longer than expected wait time for an inpatient room assignment (greater than 4 hours), arrangements will be made for one (1) family member to have a brief visit with you in PACU.

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 designated family member will be invited to join you. You will be offered fluids to drink and a light snack. Once your pain is tolerable and discharge criteria are met, you will be discharged home with a responsible adult. You will be provided with a packet of discharge instructions.

Estimated length of Phase 2 recovery time: 1 - 3 Hours

Please understand that these times are estimates. Should you require special attention, for any reason, we will do our best to provide it.