< Back
Perioperative Medicine Clinic (POM)

Preparing For Surgery

Learn about surgery

EMMI

To help you feel more comfortable before your surgery, you can get more detailed information with the Prepare for Your Procedure free online program from Emmi Solutions. These interactive programs take you through each step of your procedure. You can watch them on your computer on your own time, and share them with your family. How to view Emmi:

  1. Go to kp.org/mydoctor.
  2. Enter your surgeon’s name to search for his or her home page, then click on the correct link in the results list.
  3. Click on “Prepare for your procedure (EMMI)” in the right column.
  4. Choose the appropriate procedure.
  5. Register to begin the program.

Anesthesia

Your anesthesiologist will contact you a few days prior to surgery by email via kp.org to introduce themselves. On the day of surgery, you will meet your anesthesiologist before you receive any sedation and can discuss any questions you may have.

In the meantime, you may find the information below helpful.

How to prepare in the weeks before your surgery

Wellness, being as healthy as possible before surgery

Wellness coaching provides personalized support to help you develop a plan that fits your needs and lifestyle, for the kind of change you want to make:

  • manage your weight,
  • quit smoking,
  • eat healthier,
  • exercise more,
  • or reduce your stress.

Wherever you are on the change journey, we can help. It is well known that quitting smoking can make a huge difference in your health and recovery from surgery. The longer you abstain from smoking, the better your chances of a healthy recovery. Call our toll-free number, (866) 251-4514 to schedule a wellness coaching appointment. Wellness coaches can partner with you to help you become as healthy as you can be.

Life Care Planning & Advance Directive

Life Care Planning is Kaiser Permanente’s name for a process also known as advance care planning. We believe that all adults should plan in advance. Life Care Planning involves two major choices:

  • Selecting someone you trust to make your health care decisions if you are incapable
  • and giving specific instructions about your care in the event of a sudden injury or illness.

These are very important decisions, so it is best to make them after carefully considering your values, beliefs and experiences. Visit https://www.kp.org/lifecareplan for more info or class dates. If you already have an advanced directive, please be sure to bring this with you on the day of your surgery. If not already provided, bring your Advanced Directive form to the Health Education department for scanning.

POM Appointment

During your appointment, we will review your medical record and preoperative tests, and update your current medications list. Please bring an accurate list of your medications or use our KP Meds App. Additionally, lab tests, EKG’s, Tuberculosis screening or other studies may be ordered to help optimize your health prior to surgery. At the conclusion of this visit, you will be provided with important information and specific instructions to help you prepare for your surgery.

Arrange transportation and support from family and friends

You must make arrangements for a responsible adult (18 years or older) to pick you up and drive you home after you’re discharged. Your driver must be able to spend most of the day at or near the hospital. The discharge time may change and your driver will need to be available to pick you up when we call to say you are ready. We cannot permit you to drive yourself home or to take public transportation or a taxi without a responsible adult to accompany you, in addition to the driver. For your safety, your surgery will be cancelled unless you have made arrangements to have someone drive you home!

Dependent on the type of surgery you are having, you will require help at home. Make arrangements to have a helper with you at home while you recover. In general, we recommend that your caregiver stay with you for 24 hours after you leave the hospital to watch for any unusual signs that you may need urgent follow-up care.

Pre-Admission

Before your scheduled surgery, you’ll receive a letter from our Admitting Department with instructions on how to preregister for your procedure. You can pay any costs you may have, such as copayment, coinsurance, or deductible, when you preregister, so you don’t need to bring any money with you on the day of your surgery. Pre-admission expedites the admission process on the day of your surgery and ensures all information (e.g. emergency contacts, benefit information, financial responsibility, language preference, etc.) is accurate and current. You can call (650) 742-2323 any time within two weeks prior to your surgery and one of our representatives will be happy to assist you. Pre-admission may also be completed in person in the Admitting Department (located in the hospital, lobby level, 1200 El Camino Real, South San Francisco), which is open 24 hours per day and 7 days per week.

Over the counter medication instructions

One week prior to surgery:

  • Stop taking all herbal supplements and vitamins.
  • Stop taking over-the-counter medication, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or aspirin, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
  • You may continue to use acetaminophen (Tylenol).

Incentive Spirometer

Developing pneumonia after surgery can interfere with your recovery. To reduce the risk of this, start using your Incentive Spirometer 3 days prior to surgery to prevent Pneumonia. Practice using your incentive spirometer at home before surgery at least four times daily (after meals and before bedtime). Remember to use slow steady inhalation and to hold your breath for five seconds after each breath. Bring your incentive spirometer with you to the hospital.

To Do’s the day before

Food/Drinks

Do not eat anything after midnight the day before your surgery; this helps to prevent problems related to regurgitation or reflux of stomach contents during your procedure. If your child is going to have a procedure, the nurse practitioner or anesthesiologist will instruct you on the time when the child must stop eating and drinking. Drink only clear liquids such as water, clear apple juice, or Gatorade up until 2 hours before your scheduled arrival time for your surgery. Do not drink anything after that.

Surgical Site Skin Preparation

Preparing your skin before surgery can reduce the risk of infection at the surgical site. To make the process easier for you, we use disposable cloths moistened with a rinse-free, 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) antiseptic solution. Follow the instructions for Preparing the Skin Before Surgery.

Surgery Date, Time of Arrival

Two business days before surgery – you will receive a phone call telling you what time to arrive and when to stop eating and drinking. If you do not receive a phone call by 1:00 P.M. the day before surgery, please call the Surgery Nurse Educator at 650-742-3083. Please follow these instructions carefully or your surgery may be cancelled.

What to pack in your hospital bag. Bring these items with you:

  • Valid photo ID (driver’s license or passport).
  • Kaiser Permanente ID card.
  • Medicare/MediCal or other medical insurance cards, along with your copay, if not yet paid.
  • List of all prescription, over-the-counter medications, and nutritional or herbal supplements you are currently taking. You can use the My KP meds app if you have installed it on a mobile device.
  • Case to store any contact lenses or dentures.
  • Mobile device and small earphones, if desired.
  • CPAP machine
  • If not already provided, bring your Advanced Directive form for scanning.
  • Personal toiletries
  • Easy to wear, loose clothing and comfortable footwear

Leave these items at home:

  • Valuables (including ALL jewelry and wedding rings).
  • Prescription medications, unless your doctor asks you to bring them.