3 hours before surgery: Why are you supposed to be there so early? What do they do for those 3 hours?

Question

Can someone give me a play by play?? Thank you so much! My surgery day is July 2nd due to me pushing it back for my sister going into labor.

Philip Solomon, MD, FRCS · Answer

Each facility has its own policy.  Typically patients arrive at least a few hours in advance to give them time to register, check in and change into surgical attire.  The Nurses will then check your consent form preop history, and an lab or diagnostic tests.  The anesthetist also will meet with you prior to the surgical procedure.  I hope this helps.

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. The early arrival is due to prep time. Please review your day-of instructions with your board certified facial plastic surgeon so you know their expectations, processes, and can ask any questions. 
Best wishes,

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Hospitals tend to make patients commend extra early, so it's best to ask your  operative surgeon. In our practice, we ask patients to be here 30 minutes prior to their surgery.

Robert S. Schmidt, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. They have you get to the hospital hours before your procedure for a few reasons. Most importantly, they want to make sure that everything is done for you on time, so that if there's any delays in getting you into the OR, it's definitely not going to be anything with you. So during that time, you'll be checked in (paper work), you'll talk to a nurse (more paper work), talk to the anesthesia team (you know it, more paper work), get changed, get an IV started (no paper work here), meet briefly with your surgeon to go over last minute questions and details, talk to the team of nurses who will be in the OR with you, then you're off!Congrats to your sister and good luck to you!

Michael Carlisle, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

There is some sitting around a bit but they want enough time to check in, register, get an IV, talk with anesthesiologist, etc. Sometimes we need a little extra time if a patient needs an EKG or a finger-prick glucose or Hemoglobin test, but that's a more rare case. In those cases, we always want enough time so that we don't run behind. Our surgical days are very full and being on-time requires a lot of effort. Hope this help!

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