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Stanford Health Care

Preparing For Your Surgery

After Surgery

You will be taken to the Phase I Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) immediately after surgery. You will stay there until you are awake, your vital signs are stable, and you have satisfactory pain management.

Safe surgery guidelines

When the surgery is over, the surgical team verbally reviews information on another checklist. This list includes details of your post-surgical condition and recovery plans. This is done before you leave the operating room.

When you arrive in the recovery care area, the surgeon and/or the anesthesiologist will talk with the recovery area nursing staff about your procedure and condition, and plans for your recovery.

Admitted to the hospital

If you are to be admitted to the hospital, you will be transported to the patient care unit when your room is ready. Your family and friends will be given directions to your assigned room where they can visit with you.

Going home

If you are to be discharged home after surgery, you will be taken to the Phase II area in PACU where you will change into your own clothes. A family member or friend will then be able to join you and a nurse will provide verbal and written home care instructions.

We will also give you the contact numbers for any questions or concerns that arise once you are home. We welcome and encourage your questions before you are discharged.

Once you return home, we recommend that you have someone stay with you, at least for the first night.