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Before Your Surgery

The Night Before Surgery

Please follow these important guidelines:

Don't eat or drink anything including water, candy, or chewing gum ­for the specified time before your surgery, as instructed by our pre-admitting nurse or doctor's office.
You may brush your teeth or have a sip of water to take your regular medication. If you eat or drink anything by mistake, call your physician or the Surgery Department at (626) 457-4752 before coming to the hospital.
Notify your doctor if you become ill; develop a cold, persistent cough, or fever; or note any changes in your condition.
Please leave your valuables at home.

The Day of Surgery

At San Gabriel Valley Medical Center, we want to make the day of your surgery go as smoothly as possible. If you're scheduled for general, regional, or monitored anesthesia, please arrive two hours prior to your surgery. (Children under age nine may arrive one hour prior to surgery, regardless of the type of anesthesia scheduled.)

If you would like family and friends nearby, they may relax in our surgical waiting area located adjacent the Surgery Department. And if you are the parents and/or guardians of a patient under age 18, we are happy to have you accompany your child until he or she is transferred to our surgical suite.

When your surgery is completed, the surgeon will talk to your family members/friends in the surgery waiting room. The nursing staff will also inform your family members/friends when they may visit you. The staff will also work with you to assess any discomfort and make you as comfortable as possible. You will be asked frequently about the level of pain you are experiencing. Pain management is a top priority at San Gabriel Valley Medical Center and our goal is make you feel as comfortable as possible.

After Your Surgery

Depending upon the type of procedure you have, you will either be discharged on the day of surgery or will stay overnight in the hospital.

Our staff will also provide you with personalized post-surgery instructions to assist you with your recovery. Take-home prescriptions may be filled at the pharmacy of your choice.

If you are discharged on the day of surgery, you'll need a family member or friend to help take you home. They may park temporarily in the patient drop-off/pickup zone in front of the main lobby. You'll be escorted in a wheelchair to the lobby to await your ride.

The next day, we'll call you to see how you are doing. The Surgery Department nursing staff will ask if you have any concerns about your recovery. If you have any questions, please call Surgery from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. at (626) 457-4752 or (626) 570-6500.

After surgery, we ask you to follow these guidelines for a safe recovery:

Don't drive or operate machinery until the day after surgery.
Don't drink alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours.
Don't make critical decisions or sign important papers for 24 hours.
Rest quietly the night of your surgery.
If any problems arise, call your doctor immediately. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.

Need an appointment? Our Pre-Admission Center hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There's no appointment necessary, but we highly recommend that you make one. Please call (626) 570-6625 to schedule an appointment.