If you are coming to the Orthopedic Hospital of Oklahoma to have surgery, the following information will help you prepare for your operation and understand what to expect.

If you have questions you would like to have addressed about the hospital, please call us at 477-5000.

Our goal is to make your visit with us as convenient and comfortable as possible.

Depending upon your needs and the type of surgery you are having, your doctor may have scheduled you for outpatient surgery, or you may need to remain in the hospital after your surgery is over. Please talk with your doctor about the details of the surgery you are having.

If you are having outpatient surgery, this means you will be leaving the hospital on the same day as surgery.

You will need to arrange for a capable adult to drive you home from the hospital. You will not be allowed to drive following your operation. In addition, it is best if someone remains with you throughout the night following your surgery.

Preparing for Your Surgery
Preoperative Visit
The Night Before Your Surgery
The Day of Your Surgery

Preparing for Your Surgery

The first step in preparing for your surgery is completing pre-admission information. You may complete the necessary information in your physician's office.

For your convenience, you may want to have the following information available as you begin filling out the necessary forms and information requested.

• Insurance information.
• Medical information that will help you detail your own medical history.
• A list of medications you are currently taking, including all over-the-counter medications and any other natural or organic drugs you may be taking. Be sure to have the dosages you take.
• List of allergies.

You may also request the printed version of the Pre-admission Packet from your physician or from the hospital. Packets are available from Guest Services in the lobby of the 60-story tower or in the admissions area of the Business Office, located on the third floor. 

Preoperative Visit

Some time prior to your surgery, you may be scheduled for a preoperative visit or interview. Preoperative testing may also be necessary. Your physician, your healthcare plan, or the Orthopedic Hospital of Oklahoma will direct you as to where you need to go to have these tests, or others your doctor recommends.

Click here if you have questions about whether some aspect of your health, such a fever, could keep you from having surgery, and for information about directives concerning your healthcare.

If you have not been contacted by noon the day before your surgery is scheduled to set up a time for your surgery, you should call Guest Services at 477-5032.

The Night Before Surgery

Please do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery without talking with your doctor. If you are currently taking medication for diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, or other conditions that require daily medications, you should discuss this with your physician and anesthesiologist, and follow their recommendations carefully.

It is best if you do not smoke or drink alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours prior to your surgery. Smoking and drinking may increase the time it takes for you to recover from the anesthesia and may lengthen the healing process.

The Day of Your Surgery

On the day of your surgery, please schedule your trip to the hospital with ample time to spare. We suggest that you arrive about 90 minutes before your surgery is scheduled to begin. Click here to view a list of things you should bring with you to the hospital.

The information below will walk you through the day of your surgery. If you have any questions prior to your surgery, please call your doctor's office or Guest Services at the Orthopedic Hospital of Oklahoma. If we cannot answer your question, we will do our best to direct you to one of our associates who can.

When You Arrive
During Surgery
Postoperative Care

When You Arrive

When you arrive at the Orthopedic Hospital of Oklahoma you may use our free valet parking service, which is accessible by driving to the covered main lobby entrance on the west side directly under the 60-story tower. You will be greeted by one of our attendants, who will be easily recognizable by the hospital’s trademark apparel imprinted with the hospital logo and hospital badge. You will be escorted directly to your destination.

If you prefer, you will find ample parking on the West side of the 30-story tower. Click here to view a map of the parking area.

Once inside the 60-story tower, if you are having outpatient surgery, you and your family or friends will be escorted from the lobby to the Family Waiting Area where you will stop briefly at the main desk to check in.

If there are any forms that still need to be completed, we will assist you in completing the information at this time.

You will be escorted to a dressing area where you may change into a surgical gown. There are locker facilities for you to store your clothing and other belongings. Once you are dressed, you will be taken to a preoperative area where you will wait for the nurses to take you into the operating room. An intravenous (IV) line will be started. You will receive fluids and medication through this line while you are in surgery and during your recovery. One member of your family may stay with you while you wait, or if the patient is a child, both parents may wait in the pre-op area. Your family or friends may be seated in the Family Waiting Area, which has many special amenities.

If you are having inpatient surgery, you will stop briefly at the main desk to check in, then you and your family will be escorted to the ninth floor.

When you arrive at your room, if there is any additional information the hospital needs from you, it will be completed at this time. Prior to your surgery, an intravenous (IV) line will be started. When it is time for you to go to surgery, your family or friends may stay in your room, or they may wait in the Family Waiting Area on the third floor.

During Surgery

When you are taken into the operating room, you will be connected to monitoring equipment that will be used to monitor your heart rate and blood pressure. These devices will be used by your anesthesiologist to manage your condition during surgery. Click here for an overview of the different types of anesthesia that may be used. There may be other equipment that is needed, depending on the type of surgery you are having. If you have questions feel free to ask them anytime.

The amount of time you spend in surgery will depend on the type of procedure you are having done. While you are in surgery and recovery, your family or friends will be kept informed of your progress. When the operation is over, your doctor will speak with your family.

Postoperative Care

After your operation, you will be taken to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit. Specially trained nurses will monitor your condition as you begin to recover from the anesthesia. Once you have meet specific recovery criteria, you will be taken to your room if you are having inpatient surgery. Nurses will continue to monitor your condition and your doctor will visit with you about the surgery and discuss postoperative care.

If you are staying in the hospital, you will be moved from the recovery area to your room. Nurses will continue to monitor your recovery and administer pain medication as prescribed by your physician. Your physician will visit your room to discuss the surgery and any additional services you need.

If you are having outpatient surgery, you will be moved to another recovery area when you leave the PACU. One member of your family may stay in this area with you, or if the patient is a child, both parents may stay.

The nursing staff will continue to monitor your recovery. In this area, you may be allowed to sit up and may be given some fluids. Nurses will assist you in these activities and any exercises that you will need to perform.

When you are ready to leave, you will be given specific postoperative instructions on needed pain medication, taking care of the incision and dressing, and follow-up care that is needed.  A member of our staff will escort you downstairs and assist you in getting in your vehicle.

Shortly after you leave the hospital, you will hear from us to check on your progress. In addition, if you become concerned about discomfort from your operation, or if you have any questions about your recovery, please contact your doctor or call the hospital anytime. Click here for a brief look at some things you should keep in mind if you had a general anesthetic.