Preparing for Surgery
Preparing for Surgery
The Process
Depending on your procedure and overall health, your surgeon may recommend additional appointments, testing, or instructions before surgery.
1. Meet with Your Surgeon – Discuss your procedure, ask questions, and learn what to expect. Your surgeon will determine whether additional appointments or testing are needed before surgery.
2. Complete Any Recommended Pre-Surgery Visits – Depending on your procedure and overall health, your surgeon may recommend one or more of the following: Pre-Admit Clinic, Preoperative Clinic, or Medicine PreAssessment Clinic (MPAC), if additional medical evaluation is needed
3. Follow Your Pre-Surgery Instructions – Your care team will provide instructions about medications, eating and drinking, what to wear, and when to arrive for your procedure.
4. Day of Surgery – Arrive as instructed and check in for your procedure.
Your Pre-Surgery Appointments
Depending on your procedure and overall health, you may have one or more of these appointments before surgery. Each one serves a different purpose.
Your Surgeon's Office | Your first step before surgery
Your surgeon will meet with you to discuss your procedure, explain your treatment plan and answer your questions.
During this visit, your surgeon may also:
- Recommend additional appointments or testing before surgery
- Explain what to expect before, during and after your procedure
- Help you understand the benefits and risks of surgery
Pre-Admit Clinic | Preparing for your hospital admission
Some patients may be scheduled for a Pre-Admit Clinic visit before surgery. If this appointment is needed, your care team will let you know what to expect, what to bring and any next steps before your procedure.
Preoperative Clinic | Helping you prepare for surgery
The Preoperative Clinic helps make sure everything is in place before your procedure.
Depending on your needs, your visit may include:
- Evaluation by nurses, nurse practitioners and anesthesia providers
- Lab work, electrocardiogram (ECG) or X-rays
- Review of your medical history
- Education about preparing for surgery
- Pre-surgery phone calls
- Gathering information for your medical record
You'll also receive instructions about:
- When to stop eating and drinking
- Which medications to take or stop before surgery
- What to wear
- How to prepare for the day of your procedure
Whenever possible, appointments are scheduled up to four weeks before surgery.
Bring to Your Visit
- Current medication list
- Medical Alert card, if applicable
- Pacemaker or defibrillator ID card, if applicable
- Advance directives, if available
Helpful Resource
Review our Preoperative Surgical Guide for additional information about preparing for surgery and what to expect before your procedure.
Medicine PreAssessment Clinic (MPAC) | Medical evaluation before surgery
Not every patient needs an MPAC appointment. If your surgeon recommends one, you'll meet with one of our hospitalists for a medical evaluation before surgery. The hospitalists who perform these evaluations are also members of the team that cares for patients during their hospital stay following surgery.
The purpose of this visit is to:
- Evaluate your overall health
- Help optimize medical conditions before surgery
- Reduce the risk of surgical delays or cancellations
- Help ensure you're medically ready for your procedure
During your visit, your hospitalist may:
- Review your medical history and medications
- Order or complete lab work or an electrocardiogram (ECG), if needed
- Coordinate with your primary care provider, when appropriate
The providers who perform these evaluations are members of Kootenai Health's hospitalist team and also care for patients during their hospital stay following surgery.
This appointment is different from your surgeon's office visit. While your surgeon focuses on your procedure, the Medicine PreAssessment Clinic focuses on your overall health before surgery.
Bring to Your Visit
- An updated list of your medications
Scheduling
Appointments are scheduled through a referral from your surgeon. Your surgeon may request a Medicine Presurgical Assessment Clinic visit during surgical planning if additional medical evaluation is needed before your procedure.
Planning Your Hospital Stay
Preparing for surgery is only part of the journey. Learn what to expect when you arrive, including visitor information, what to bring, support services and resources to help you plan ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I have more than one appointment before surgery?
Each appointment has a different purpose. Depending on your procedure and overall health, your surgeon may recommend additional appointments to complete testing, provide education or evaluate your medical readiness before surgery.
Is the Medicine PreAssessment Clinic the same as my surgeon's appointment?
No. Your surgeon discusses your procedure and surgical plan. The Medicine PreAssessment Clinic evaluates your overall health and helps ensure you're medically prepared for surgery.
Will everyone have a Medicine PreAssessment Clinic appointment?
No. This appointment is only scheduled when your surgeon determines additional medical evaluation is needed before surgery.
Do I need a referral for the Medicine PreAssessment Clinic?
Yes. Appointments with the Medicine PreAssessment Clinic are scheduled through a referral from your surgeon's office.
Why do I have more than one appointment before surgery?
Each appointment has a different purpose. Depending on your procedure and overall health, your surgeon may recommend additional appointments to complete testing, provide education or evaluate your medical readiness before surgery.
Will everyone have a Medicine PreAssessment Clinic appointment?
No. This appointment is only scheduled when your surgeon determines additional medical evaluation is needed before surgery.
Is the Medicine PreAssessment Clinic the same as my surgeon's appointment?
No. Your surgeon discusses your procedure and surgical plan. The Medicine PreAssessment Clinic evaluates your overall health and helps ensure you're medically prepared for surgery.
Do I need a referral for the Medicine PreAssessment Clinic?
Yes. Appointments with the Medicine PreAssessment Clinic are scheduled through a referral from your surgeon's office.
