Preparing for Surgery: The Operating Room

What to expect the day of surgery

On the day of surgery, you will meet with the medical team involved in your surgery. This will include:

• Your surgeon

• The anesthesiologist

• Operating room nurses

• Other healthcare providers

Getting ready for surgery

Before your surgery:

• You will need to change into a hospital gown.

• You will get an ID bracelet.

• An intravenous catheter (IV) may be put in your arm or hand. This is used to give you anesthetics and other medicines.

• You may be rolled to the operating room on a stretcher.

What does the operating room look like?

The operating room can be an overwhelming place. The room will likely be cold. This is to minimize bacterial growth. It will have a lot of technical equipment. You may see equipment such as:

• Operating table. This is in the center of the room. It can be raised, lowered, and tilted in many directions.

• Operating room lights. These allow for bright light without shadows during surgery.

• Monitor screens. You will be connected to various monitors. These keep track of your vital signs. These include your heart rate, oxygen saturation level, and blood pressure.

• Ventilator. This is a breathing machine. It stands by the head of the operating table. If your procedure is done with general anesthesia, you will have a ventilator to breathe for you during the procedure. It moves oxygen and air in and out of your lungs.

• Sterile instruments. These are small tools to be used during surgery. They are arranged on a stainless steel table.

• Video screen. If the procedure is laparoscopic, there will be a video screen for the surgeon to be able to see the area of the surgery.

• Electrocautery machine. This is to control bleeding.

• Other equipment. If needed, other specialized equipment may be brought into the room. For example, your team may use a heart-lung machine during heart surgery.