What to expect during a procedure

After arrival and check in

When you arrive, check in at Admissions near the main entrance to the hospital. Admissions staff will let you know where you need to go. A staff member will talk to you about each step and tell you what you need to know.

Stay informed during the procedure

During the surgery or procedure, we’ll give your family or friends a pager. They can take the pager with them throughout the hospital so we can reach them. We’ll keep family and friends constantly updated about your progress. Our nurses or nurse’s aides may talk to them in person as well. After the procedure, the doctor will speak with you or your loved one about how it went and what to expect.

Recovery

For most procedures, you will go to a recovery room (often called a post-anesthesia care unit, or PACU) until the anesthesia wears off. When you wake up, you’ll be able to see your family or loved ones. In the recovery room, registered nurses, anesthesiologists and other professionals will closely monitor you. We’ll make sure you’re awake and recovered from the anesthesia. Everyone wakes up differently. Some are wide awake in the recovery room, while others are groggy for several hours. Depending on the procedure, you may go to a hospital room, the intensive care unit or a day surgery area to fully recover.