The Day of Your Surgery
On the day of your surgery, please arrive at the registration area at least two hours before the scheduled surgery time. The registration area is located on the second floor of the Guggenheim Pavilion.
What to bring
Please bring with you:
- A copy of the completed preoperative patient questionnaire
- Any reports or test results related to your condition or the surgery
- Any medication(s) you are currently taking
- An interpreter if you need help speaking or understanding English
- A designated caregiver or escort to remain with you if you have a physical or mental disability that normally requires the assistance of another person for communication purposes
- A guardian or parent if you are under 18 years of age
- The phone number of the person escorting you home after outpatient surgery
- Essentials, such as eyeglasses, hearing aids, dentures, prostheses, and toiletries
Do not bring:
- Large sums of money
- Nonessential clothing or luggage
- Jewelry
Please remove all rings and jewelry before coming to the hospital.
Don’t forget your escort
If you are going home the same day as your surgery, you must provide the name and phone number of the adult who will escort you home. You will be required to identify this person prior to surgery or the surgery will be postponed. New York State requires that every patient who has had anesthesia and/or sedation must be escorted home after ambulatory surgery. The hospital can help you arrange a medical transport service home at your expense.
After registration: What happens next?
Once you have completed registration, you will be directed to the patient assessment area. There you will change into a hospital gown, and a registered nurse will interview you to verify your medical history and condition, go over your medications, and perform any necessary final testing.
From patient assessment, you will go to the pre-surgical holding area, where you will meet your surgical team, which includes the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and nurse. Your surgical team will prepare you for the procedure and will check and countercheck all information related to your surgery. From the holding area you will move on to the operating room.
Waiting room and visiting hours
As your surgery takes place, family and friends may stay in the waiting area located on the second floor of the Guggenheim Pavilion. We suggest that you not bring children with you on the day of your surgery, as the wait can be very difficult for them, and they will not be allowed to see you after the procedure. Your surgeon will let your family or escort know when your procedure is over.
For up-to-date information on the status of a family member or friend, please call (212) 241-7778, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. General visiting hours are from 11 am to 9 pm daily. Visiting hours for the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) vary. To inquire about specific ICU hours, call the Mount Sinai Medical Center switchboard, (212) 241-6500.
Postsurgical recovery
After your surgery, you will be taken to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), where the nursing staff will make you comfortable and monitor your condition. If you require a higher-than-normal level of care after your surgery, you may be taken to an intensive care unit directly from the operating room.
Family members are generally not permitted in the recovery areas, but exceptions can be made for pediatric patients and patients with special needs, such as the physically or mentally disabled or those needing a translator.
After a designated time in recovery, you will be transferred either to your regular hospital room, if you are staying overnight, or to an ambulatory discharge area in preparation for going home.
Pain relief
Ensuring your comfort after surgery is a priority at Mount Sinai. We offer many different methods of alleviating pain, which you can discuss with your surgeon or anesthesiologist prior to or after surgery.
Discharge instructions
To make your post-surgery experience as comfortable as possible, you will receive specific discharge instructions from your surgeon and a telephone number to call should you have any questions or concerns. Your surgeon may prescribe medication to manage pain or prevent infection.