Bayshore Community Hospital offers the services of Same-Day Surgery to patients whose type of surgery does not require an overnight stay.

The Same-Day Surgery staff is part of the Surgical Services Team of physicians and nurses. Using leading-edge technology, we are able to provide safe, quality care — before, during, and after your surgery.

We hope the following information will help answer your questions and reduce any anxiety you may experience regarding your surgery.

Preparing for Surgery
In order to find out what time to report to the hospital for surgery, please call one day before your scheduled procedure. Call (732) 739-5962 between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

You typically will be asked to report to the hospital two hours before your scheduled surgery time. It could be as early as 6:30 a.m., depending on when your surgery is scheduled.

On the Day of Your Surgery ...

Diet
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight on the day of surgery, not even water. Avoid smoking and chewing gum.

Clothing
Wear comfortable shoes, loose clothing, and a shirt that opens in front. If you are having orthopedic or foot surgery, sweatpants (or a skirt) may be more comfortable. Do not wear any makeup or nail polish.

Valuables
Leave all valuables, jewelry, credit cards, checkbooks, and money at home or with your family.

Medications
If you are taking any medications, bring them in their original pharmacy containers.

Transportation
Please arrange for a responsible person to provide transportation and to accompany you home. As a result of medications you receive during your surgery, you will not be permitted to drive yourself home. No exceptions will be made.

If your driver must leave, ask the driver to provide a phone number where he or she can be called when you are ready to be discharged.

Family and Friends
Family and friends are welcome to accompany you to the Same-Day Surgery Unit. Please advise them that you will be in the hospital for about six hours, or perhaps longer, depending on your type of surgery.

There is a waiting room on the first floor where your family and friends may stay. The room has a television set and reading material.

The cafeteria is located on the first floor next to the main lobby. The cafeteria serves hot breakfast, lunches, sandwiches, and snacks.

Our staff will keep your family and friends informed of your progress and answer their questions. We will do our very best to ensure that they are comfortable.

Where to Report
A nurse will meet you in the lobby at 6:30 a.m. if your surgery is scheduled for 8:00 a.m. If your surgery is scheduled for AFTER 8:00 a.m., please report directly to the Same-Day Surgery Unit.

After Your Surgery
After surgery, you will be taken to the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). The nurses will check your blood pressure, dressings, and IV fluids frequently. They will help you to breathe deeply and cough, and they may put an oxygen mask on your face. All of these actions are standard post-anesthesia procedures.

When you return to the Same-Day Surgery Unit, you will probably feel hungry and thirsty. The nurse will give you lunch or a light snack and continue to check your blood pressure, dressings, and IV fluids. When ready, your nurse will help you walk to the bathroom and change back into your own clothes.

Your physician and the anesthesiologist will determine when you can be discharged. If you should be admitted to the hospital for an extended time, the nurse will inform your family.

Before leaving, the nurse will give you and your family special instructions regarding diet, activity, medications, wound care, and follow-up care.

The Same-Day Surgery nurse will call you at home following your surgery to ask how you are feeling and to answer any other questions you may have.

Call your doctor if you have any special questions or concerns about your surgery or follow-up care. If you are unable to reach your doctor and you feel it is an emergency, go to the hospital Emergency Department.

Contact
We want to make your hospital stay as safe and comfortable as possible. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us at (732) 739-5962.