Preparing for Your Surgical Procedure
The Cottage Health team of surgeons, anesthesiologists, specialized registered nurses, and support staff is dedicated to providing excellent surgical care. Whether you will be having inpatient or outpatient surgery, you can help by carefully following the instructions below.
Please read through this page and review the education information provided to you before coming for your procedure and/or surgery.
Register for MyChart
MyChart is a secure online portal that communicates to our patients. This portal allows patients to enter in their medications, allergies, insurance information, medical history, and any other pertinent health information that is important for Cottage medical providers to review prior to any procedure/surgery.
You will receive an email from your surgical team to sign up for MyChart prior to your surgery. You may also choose to sign up for MyChart now.
Completing all your documents through MyChart will help our Preoperative Nurses here at Cottage Health prepare patients for their procedure/surgery.
Access MyChart
MyChart Questionnaires
Please fill out the patient questionnaires you will receive through MyChart. You'll receive an email alerting you when these questionnaires are placed in your MyChart account.
If you are scheduled for a procedure/surgery, please complete the following:
- Sign up for Cottage Health MyChart
- Fill out questionnaires on MyChart
- You will receive a pre-admission phone call from one of our Preoperative Nurses 3-4 days prior to your procedure/surgery. This call will take less than 30 minutes to complete. Our nurses will review important information regarding your medications and specific instructions to follow before your procedure/surgery. Please make sure you answer your phone or call them back if you miss the call.
- You may receive different arrival times for your procedure/surgery. Please refer to the time given to you by one of our Cottage Nurses.
- If you have any questions, please give our Pre-Admission Department a call at 805-324-9227.
The Day of Surgery
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Do not eat or drink anything after midnight before your surgery unless your physician, anesthesiologist or nurse instructs otherwise.
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If you may be pregnant, tell your physician immediately.
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If you have had any changes in your health since your Pre-Admission call, please contact your physician. Health changes include a recent cold, cough, wound infection, or fever.
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Please follow medication instructions given to you by your physician and/or Pre-Admission Nurse.
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Wear comfortable, loose clothing and shoes that are easy to put on and take off.
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Wear your dentures, glasses, contacts and/or hearing aids if you wish. However, you must remove them before the procedure. Bring a case to keep them in (i.e., eye glass case).
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If you use a CPAP machine, please bring it.
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If you are the legal guardian or conservator of an adult patient, please bring a copy of the documentation.
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Children having surgery may bring a favorite stuffed animal or security blanket.
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A nurse will answer your questions and prepare you for your surgery.
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Your anesthesiologist will meet you and discuss anesthesia options.
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Your family may stay with you in the preoperative area until you are taken to surgery.
What to Bring to the Procedure
- List of current medication(s) and dosage(s), but please leave the actual medications at home.
- Photo identification.
- Insurance card(s).
- There may be a small payment for any discharge medications filled in the hospital. Please bring a credit/debit card.
- Please leave all jewelry and valuables at home.
Important Medication Information
Please review the following attachments on important instructions for managing your medications prior to your procedure/surgery.
What to Expect After Surgery
- Please make sure someone is available throughout the day of your procedure/surgery. Discharge times may fluctuate and change throughout the day. Having a responsible person readily available is important and helps facilitate discharge planning.
- As a patient, you must have a responsible person (over age 18) to take you home and care for you after surgery. If this may be a challenge, please let your physician know. You will not be able to move forward with your procedure/surgery if you do not have a responsible person drive you home and stay with you.
- Follow your physician’s instructions.
- You will receive a postoperative phone call from one of our nurses after you return home to see how you are doing and answer questions.
Surgery Education Resources
Download the resources below to learn more about your surgical procedure.
