Surgery - Black River Memorial Hospital

What to Expect
Anesthesia
Our Surgeons

Pre-registration call

Your pre-operative nurse will call you before your surgery to review current medications, allergies and any health conditions you might have. If the nurse has not reached you by the day before your surgery, please call (715) 284-3678 between 8 a.m. and noon Monday through Friday and ask to speak with the pre-operative nurse. What to Expect - Surgery

Pre-surgery instructions

Here are a few reminders for anyone scheduled for surgery at Black River Memorial Hospital:

Unless otherwise instructed by your doctor, DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING AFTER MIDNIGHT the day of your surgery. This includes food, water, gum and hard candy. Children must be watched closely. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in the delay or cancellation of the surgery.
No alcoholic beverages are allowed 24 hours before surgery.
Reduce tobacco use leading up to surgery, including no smoking or chewing tobacco the day of surgery.
Call your surgeon if you have open scrapes, cuts or sores around your surgical area or anywhere on your body.
Take a bath or shower the night before and morning of the surgery, but do not remove hair or shave near or over the surgery area.
Do not apply lotions, powders or other bath products to the surgery area.
Do not wear nail polish or make-up the day of surgery.
Brush your teeth with toothpaste the day of surgery, but do not swallow any water.
Wear clean, comfortable clothes to the hospital.
Remove all jewelry including body-piercing jewelry.
Black River Memorial Hospital will not be responsible for the loss, theft of damage of any valuables, including jewelry.

What to bring

Discuss bringing the following equipment with the pre-operative nurse:

Cane, walker, crutches or other assistive devices, such as braces, splints or prostheses. If you are having orthopedic surgery, bring crutches.
Glasses or contact lenses.
Hearing aids.
Breathing devices such as a C-PAP or Bi-PAP machine.
Comfortable clothing to wear home that will fit over your dressings.
All your medications in labeled containers.
If your child is having surgery, bring a favorite toy.

The day of surgery

Here are some general guidelines for the day of surgery:

Park in the visitor’s lot and go to the reception desk in the main lobby A staff member will assist you to the surgical unit.
Only one person is allowed in the surgical unit with you; other visitors are welcome in the surgery waiting room.
For your safety, when you arrive on the surgery unit, you will be asked to verify your name and date of birth. A name band and allergy band will be put on your wrist.
You will be asked to read and sign applicable consent forms.
You will be asked to change into a patient gown.
You will be prepped for surgery.

Certified registered nurse anesthetists administer the anesthetic required for surgery. Prior to surgery, the anesthetist meets with patients to determine the best anesthetic, to explain how the various anesthetics work, and to answer any questions the patient has.

During the surgical procedure, the anesthetist stays with the patient monitoring every important function, monitoring the patient, and modifying the anesthetic, if needed, to ensure maximum safety and comfort.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Anesthesia