All types of surgical procedures are available at the Center for Surgical Care. Some of them take place on an outpatient basis, which means you arrive at the Center, have surgery and go home on the same day. Others require admission to the hospital. Your doctor will tell you whether a hospital stay is needed for the surgery you will have.

The following instructions apply to those people who are going to have a scheduled surgical procedure. These instructions are only general guidelines. They should not take the place of instructions and information you receive from your doctor about your specific procedure and health condition.

Before Arrival at the Center for Surgical Care
If your surgery is arranged and scheduled through the Center for Surgical Care at St. Cloud Hospital, a registered nurse will call you before your surgery to give you specific instructions and answer any questions you may have. If may be helpful to write down your questions and have them near the telephone in anticipation of this call.

If the nurse has been unable to reach you by 4:30 p.m. the day before your surgery, we encourage you to call the Center for Surgical Care nurses’ station, which is staffed until 6:30 p.m. weekdays. The nurses’ station phone number is 320-255-5621.

Please refer to the instructions below so you know what you are allowed to eat or drink in the hours before surgery. It is very important that these directions are followed. If you do not follow the instructions that apply to you, your surgery may be cancelled or delayed.

For infants and children up to 12 years of age:

• Sips of water are permitted up to 3 hours before arrival at the Center for Surgical Care.
• Breast milk is permitted up to 4 hours before arrival at the Center for Surgical Care.
• Formula and other liquids are permitted up to 6 hours before arrival at the Center for Surgical Care.
• Solid food is permitted up to 8 hours before arrival at the Center for Surgical Care.

For adults and children 12 years of age and older:

• Sips of water are permitted up to 3 hours before arrival at the Center for Surgical Care.
• No food is permitted after midnight the night before your surgery. In addition, do not chew gum, suck on candy or smoke after midnight the night before your surgery.

Day of Surgery
Please arrive promptly at the time given to you by the nurse. Use Entrance A located off of 6th Avenue North at the intersection of 13th Street North. Turn into the one-way driveway to reach Entrance A. A receptionist at the information desk inside will guide you to the Center for Surgical Care.

Parking for your driver is available in the attached South Parking Ramp, which can be reached via the 13th Street driveway by following the signs. Take the elevator or stairs on the north end of the ramp to:

Level A, cross the service road and follow the Center for Surgical care signs to the Admission Desk;

Level 2, the skyway leads to the South Building, where signs show directions to Elevator A and the Center for Surgical Care.

We suggest that you wear casual, comfortable clothing. If you will be admitted for an overnight stay, your belongings will be brought directly to your hospital room. Please do not bring any valuables or money with you. We recommend that children bring a favorite toy or blanket. You may bring tapes of music or CDs to help you relax.

Helpful Hints

• Notify your doctor if you have a cold, flu or high temperature during the days before surgery.
• If you are an outpatient, please arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you the night of your surgery to assist you with personal needs.
• Consider having someone watch your children for at least 24 hours after your surgery.
• Remove all makeup, nail polish and jewelry.
• If you wear glasses or contacts, bring a glasses case or contact supplies with you.
• Remember to bring your insurance information.
  

Arrival at the Center for Surgical Care
Preparation for your surgery will begin as soon as you arrive. You’ll be escorted to a comfortable room, where you and your family will stay until you go to surgery.

You will be asked to change into a surgical gown, robe and slippers. Your comfort and dignity are of utmost importance to us and will be respected at all times. We will provide safe storage of your belongings while you are in surgery.

A nurse will assist in preparing you for surgery. An anesthesiologist also will visit you to discuss your anesthesia and answer any questions. When it is time for surgery, you will be escorted to the operating room. Depending on the anesthesia you receive, you may not remember this part of your stay.

While you’re in surgery, your family will be escorted to a waiting area nearby.

After Surgery
Following surgery, you will be taken to the Recovery Area where you will be closely monitored by nursing staff. At this time, your doctor will make every effort to talk with your family to tell them of your progress.

If your procedure requires that you stay overnight, you will be admitted directly to the hospital after your stay in recovery. Your family may join you in your room.

If you are going home, you will leave recovery and return to the area where your visit to the Center for Surgical Care began. Your nurse will take you to a private room, where you will rest in a comfortable recliner, and your family may again join you. Your nurse will monitor your physical readiness for discharge and give you something to eat and drink.

You will also receive written instructions about caring for yourself at home and answers to questions you may have once you leave the Center. A nurse will call you at home within a few days to check your progress and answer any other questions.

For your protection, do not operate a motor vehicle or machinery, drink alcoholic beverages or take any medications not prescribed by your doctor for at least 24 hours following surgery.

Depending on the type of anesthesia you have, you may be advised not to sign any legal documents for up to 72 hours following your surgery.