Preparing for Surgery

Thank you for choosing South Bay Hospital. These guidelines will explain our pre-admission process and help you prepare for your inpatient or outpatient surgery.

Scheduling Your Surgery and Pre-Admission Visit

Your doctor's office staff will contact the hospital to schedule your admission and order tests you need before surgery. At that time, your surgery will be scheduled and an appointment will be made for your pre-admission visit. Your doctor's office staff will call to give you this information.

Your Pre-Admission Visit

Use the rear Outpatient entrance to enter the hospital and check in at the reception desk. Your pre-admission appointment includes:

  • Completion of admitting forms
  • Verifying your insurance information
  • Nursing assessment and education
  • Tests your doctor has ordered
  • Anesthesia consult if needed
  • Confirming when you are to report to the hospital for your surgery

Bring your insurance card/s, any papers your doctor gave you, a list of the medications you take, and your Living Will or Medical Power of Attorney if you have one.

To ensure that you have all of the information required to fill out your pre-admission paperwork, click here for a copy of the Pre-Operative Patient Information Form. Please print out the form, complete the required information and fax to the number listed at the top of the form. If you do not have access to a fax machine, please bring the completed form with you to your Pre-Admission visit.

Insurance and Financial Information

It is important that you understand what your insurance covers and where you can go for care. Many insurance plans require pre-certification before admission. To avoid reduced benefits, call your insurance company to verify your coverage and make sure your authorizations are in order. If you have any financial questions, please call our Financial Counselors at (813) 634-0173 or (813) 634-3301 x1033, weekdays from 8:30am – 5:00pm.

The Night Before Your Admission

  • There may be restrictions on eating, drinking and taking medications. Please follow your surgeon’s orders to ensure safe preparation before surgery.
  • Arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home after surgery. You will not be allowed to go home alone in a taxi.
  • Additional pre-op Instructions are sometimes given by your surgeon’s office. Follow them carefully and call your surgeon with questions.

The Day of Your Surgery

Use the rear Outpatient entrance to enter the hospital and check in at the reception desk. An Admitting Counselor will greet you, confirm your chart is complete and give you an identification wristband.

You will then be escorted to a comfortable room where you will be prepared for your surgery. You will change into a hospital gown and your nurse will take your blood pressure, temperature, pulse and start your IV. At this time you will also meet your anesthesiologist. Feel free to ask any questions and discuss any concerns you may be having. If you wish, a family member can wait with you until it is time for your surgery.

When Reporting To The Hospital

  • Wear very loose fitting clothing.
  • Do not bring any medications to the hospital.
  • Be prepared to pay you co-payments and deductibles, but do not bring large amounts of money with you.
  • Leave unnecessary valuables and jewelry at home.
  • Pack only necessary items such as toothbrush and comb.
  • Wear glasses, not contact lenses.

After Your Surgery

When your surgery is over, you will wake up in the recovery room. You will have your own nurse, who will monitor your progress until you are fully awake. It is important for you to feel comfortable, so feel free to tell your nurse about your pain. The nurse will give you pain medication because you will recover faster if your pain is reduced. When the nurse is satisfied with your progress, you will leave the recovery unit.