What Happens in Pre-Op Before Surgery

Multiple staff members will ask you to confirm your full name, date of birth, and the specific procedure you are having. This is called a time-out protocol, and it ensures the surgical team is performing the right operation on the right patient. You will also sign final consent forms if you have not already. Expect to repeat this information several times to different nurses and surgeons.

A nurse will insert an intravenous line into a vein in your hand or arm to provide fluids and medication directly into your bloodstream. This needle stays in place throughout the surgery to deliver anesthesia, which keeps you unconscious and pain-free. We may also place a blood pressure cuff and heart monitors on your chest and limbs to track your vital signs.

An anesthesiologist or certified registered nurse anesthetist will visit you to review your medical history and current medications. They determine the safest type of sedative based on your health profile and the surgery type. They will answer any remaining questions you have about how you will be put to sleep and managed during the procedure.

Depending on the procedure, we may clip hair around the surgical area to keep the site clean and reduce infection risk. You might be asked to use sterile wipes to sanitize the skin before the operation begins. We provide these steps because minimizing bacteria is the primary way we prevent postoperative infections.

Once the team finishes the preparations, you will be moved on your bed into the operating room. This room is kept cool to prevent the growth of bacteria and to keep the staff comfortable while they wear heavy protective gowns. You will slide onto a narrow operating table, where the team will perform one final check before the surgery begins.