At Exempla Good Samaritan Medical Center surgery is performed  with your comfort in mind.

Parents, family members, friends and significant others will have a surgery waiting area in which to wait, and will join you as soon as possible after your surgery is completed.

Preparation

To prepare you for surgery, a nurse will call you at home to answer any questions you may have about your procedure. We look forward to serving you and making your surgery as comfortable as possible.

Anesthesia

You will meet with your anesthesiologist in the Pre-Surgery Care Unit (PSCU) before you are taken to the Operating Room suite. After your surgery is completed, you will be brought to the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), where our specially trained nurses will care for you. When you are stable, the PACU nurse will transfer you to your room. You will be in PACU approximately 1 to 1-1/2 hours. Your family will be notified when you are transferred to your room.

Complete Care

Our care for you does not end when you go home. You will be given complete instructions for your care at home, your medications and what to do if you have questions or concerns. Remember that any surgical procedure, no matter how simple, is not without risk. We monitor you closely before, during and after your procedure, and should it be necessary, we will provide you with continued support and a full array of services should your stay be extended.

Guide to Inpatient Surgery

In order to prepare for your surgery, it is important for you to follow these guidelines:

• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight on the night before your surgery, unless your physician instructs you to. This includes water, coffee, tea and juice. On the morning of your surgery, please do not chew gum or use mints in addition to your other restrictions. Guidelines for infants and children will differ. Please consult your physician if you have any specific questions or concerns. If you routinely take medication for any condition, please ask your physician if you should take it on the day of your scheduled surgery.
• Please notify your physician promptly prior to your surgery if there is any change in your physical condition such as a cold, fever, or signs of infection.
• Wear comfortable, casual clothing that makes it easy for you to dress after your surgery. HINT: Think about any casts, dressings or other items that you will have after your surgery when choosing clothing! Infants and children may wear their favorite pajamas. 
• If you wear contact lenses, please bring your container, or wear glasses if you prefer. If you wear glasses, please remember to bring your case. 
• Please leave your valuables, such as money, credit cards and jewelry, at home. If you have a co-pay with your insurance, it can be taken care of at the time of your pre-admission testing appointment/pre-op education and evaluation clinic visit. However, if you have not paid your co-pay before the day of your surgery, please bring it with you.
• Children scheduled for surgery may bring their favorite toy or blanket with them. They may wear their own pajamas. 
• We will ask you to sign a pre-op consent form before any medication is given to you in the Pre-Surgery Care Unit. A parent or guardian will need to sign for minors. 
• For privacy and safety, we ask that you please have no more than two people accompany you on the day of your surgery. Also, we ask that you do not bring small children as we do not have childcare facilities to supervise them while you are in surgery. 
• Most health insurance will cover inpatient and outpatient surgery. If you do not have health insurance, please call 303-689-6300 and our staff will be happy to assist you with other financial arrangements.
• The hospital surgery charge does not include your surgeon's or your anesthesiologist's fees. If a tissue exam, blood work (lab), X-ray (radiology) or electrocardiogram (EKG) is required for your surgery, there will be an additional charge. You will be billed separately for these services. If you have questions, you may wish to speak with your health insurance agent directly.