Dr. Kathleen Brelsford French, MD, PC

Food and Drink

DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING (INCLUDING WATER) AFTER MIDNIGHT THE NIGHT BEFORE SURGERY.

During surgery, it is important to have an empty stomach to avoid vomiting and associated complications. Therefore, you may be asked not to eat or drink anything several hours before surgery (including water, gum and candy). The nurse will give you instructions.

Day of Surgery - Getting Ready

Bathe or shower as usual the day of your surgery, removing all makeup and nail polish. At the hospital, you will change into a hospital gown. At this time, you should remove contact lenses. Please be sure to notify your nurse if you have dentures or partial plates.

What to Bring

IF YOU HAVE STUDIES (MRI, CT SCAN, X-RAY, ETC.) PLEASE BRING THE FILMS TO SURGERY WITH YOU.

• A list of your medications
• Metered dose inhaler, if you use one
• Most current insurance cards, information for billing, and any pre authorizations required for services
• A list of any allergies you may have
• Advance Directives if you wish them to be a part of your medical record (Living Will/Medical Durable Power of Attorney)

What Not to Bring

• Valuables. The hospital cannot be responsible for your jewelry and other valuables. Please leave them at home or give them to a family member to hold for you until after your procedure.

Medications

You may receive pre-operation medication to help you relax. You should not take your regular medications unless ordered by a physician. You will be instructed which medications you should take the day of surgery. Some medications and herbal products should be discontinued well in advance of your surgery. Please verify that information with your physician.

Drugs that Cause Bleeding

Some over the counter drugs contain aspirin or other anti-inflammatory agents NOT to be taken 7 to 10 days prior to surgery. See our page here for a list of Drugs that Cause Bleeding.

Preoperative Testing Instructions

Make sure you have a completed Surgical Packet with the correct operating room location selected. If you don't know what location to go to, call us at 703-641-4877

Note: You will need Adobe Reader to view our packet above

Locations

Your surgery is scheduled in one of the four operating suites. Please use the maps below to find directions to each location.

Surgery

We will make final surgical preparations in the Surgery area before taking you to the operating room. Your operating room nurse will introduce him or herself, check your identification band and ask a few questions. An Anesthesiologist will speak with you and answer questions before administering your anesthetic.

Surgery Recovery - Post Anesthesia Care / Recovery

After surgery, you will be taken to Recovery in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) where your vital signs (blood pressure, pulse and respiration) will be monitored. This room is designed and staffed to care for several patients at a time. You may be aware of other patients and activities going on around you.

Post Surgery

At our Hospital we are concerned about our patients’ pain. While we may not be able to take away all of your pain, we want to make you as comfortable as possible. When pain is controlled, you will not only feel better, you may heal faster, and regain your strength back sooner. Be sure to talk with your nurses and doctors about pain control.

Instructions for Family and Visitors - Family Waiting

Your family members may wait in the Surgery Waiting Area during your surgery. A volunteer will be available to help answer their questions. Usually, your physician will visit with them after your surgery.

Questions

Contact your physician's office if there is any change in your health before surgery such as a cold, cough, fever or flu-like symptoms. If you have questions or concerns about your pre-surgical instructions, call your physician's office. Confirm your surgery time with your physician's office the day before surgery in the event the surgery time has been changed.