Patient-s-Guide-to-Spine-Surgery-V1

Operating Room A member of the OR Staff will take you to the Operating Room (OR) on a stretcher. There will be someone from the OR team with you at all times. Once in the operating room, monitoring devices will be attached such as a blood pressure cuff, ECG, and other devices for your safety. At this point, you will be ready for surgery. After surgery, your doctor will meet your family in the waiting room or call them at home if they prefer to go home while you are in surgery. Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) After surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room- also called the PACU. Nurses who have specific training in caring for patients after anesthesia and surgery will watch you closely. You will stay here until you are ready to go to the Ambulatory Care Unit or your hospital room. After your general anesthetic, you will be drowsy and may be a bit disoriented. You may experience a numb feeling from the local anesthetic around your incision, which will slowly resolve. Pain medication will be ordered to help you manage any discomfort.

You will be reunited with your family in the Ambulatory Care Unit or your hospital room.