Patient Safety

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"Getting Ready for Outpatient Surgery"

Outpatient surgery means you go to the hospital or a freestanding facility, have an operation, and return home the same day. If you’re a candidate for same-day surgery, you’re not alone.

Over the past 15 years, the number of outpatient operations has risen to more than half of all surgical procedures performed in the U.S. More than 200 types of surgery are done on an outpatient basis.

Why the trend?

New technology helps surgeons operate more accurately, so they can make smaller incisions. Smaller incisions mean less pain and faster recovery. Improvements in anesthetics, antibiotics, and painkillers also have paved the way for the boom in same-day surgery.

Compared with inpatient surgery, outpatient surgery offers several important pluses. These include:

• cost savings with equal safety and effectiveness
• avoidance of hospital-based infections
• improved sleep in familiar surroundings.

If you are planning to have outpatient surgery, be prepared to take the necessary pre-operative tests. You’ll also have to arrive at the hospital on time for the operation, and have someone available to drive you home afterward.

Only a few patients experience unusual pain, bleeding, infection, or nausea after surgery. But plan to have another adult stay at home with you for the first 24 hours, in case you need to return to the hospital.

Dress comfortably on the day of the procedure. You can wear glasses and a medical alert bracelet. But leave other valuables at home.

Before surgery, you may want to ask your surgeon these questions:

• What will my surgery involve? What are the benefits and risks?
• What kind of anesthesia will be used?
• Which pre-operative tests and procedures will I need to have?
• How long before surgery should I stop eating?
• Should I take my regular medications before the operation?
• After surgery, will I need special supplies and equipment at home? If so, where can I get them?
• How will I feel after the procedure?
• What activities should I restrict after surgery and for how long?
• What signs of possible complications should I watch for?
• How can I reach you in case of emergency?
• When should I schedule a follow-up visit?