Surgery

As you get ready for your surgery, you will likely have a lot of questions. We are here to help prepare you for what to expect before, during and after surgery.

We encourage you and your family to take an active role in your care and learn all that you can about your surgery and recovery. We look forward to serving you.

Prepare for Surgery

Pre-Admission Registration & Testing

As part of your preparation for surgery, your surgeon will ask you to undergo certain pre-operative tests and procedures, such as:

• Pre-operative physical exam and medical clearance from your primary care physician
• Blood donation (in case you need a transfusion)
• Diagnostic tests
• Advance directives

Early Admit

Please visit our pre-registration/pre-testing office, located on the first floor of Lundquist Tower, to register for your surgery. No appointment is necessary. A nurse will ask you about your medical history, family history and home medication.

• Located: Lundquist Tower, 1st floor
• Hours: 8 AM - 5 PM

What to Bring to the Hospital

If you are having total joint replacement, you can expect to be in the hospital for three or four days. For other procedures, your surgeon will provide an estimate of how long you can expect to stay. Pack everything you will need to be comfortable but please remember to leave valuables at home!

Please bring the following items with you for your hospital stay:

• Rubber soled, non-skid shoes or closed back slippers
• Dentures, hearing aid and/or glasses, if needed
• Loose fitting, comfortable clothing for physical therapy, such as sweatpants or lounge wear
• List of all medications (including over the counter, vitamins and supplements) that you take, along with the dosage, regular schedule and the timing of the last pill(s) you take prior to your surgery. Your surgeon will have advised you in advance whether you should stop taking any medications in advance and/or the night before and day of your surgery.
• Please do not bring any medications with you to the hospital - all medications should be left at home.

Day of Surgery

Checking In

Patients will report to either the Lundquist Tower or Outpatient Surgery Center admitting depending on the location of your procedure.

Pre-Operation Prep

Patients are encouraged to call pre-registration at 310-517-4754 and pre-testing at 310-784-4887 a week prior to scheduled surgery in order to complete and verify demographic and medical information. The pre-testing nurse is instrumental in confirming the completion of the pre-surgical process including determining if a face to face visit is required for additional testing.

In the pre-operative area, a registered nurse will help you get ready for your surgery. In this area you will:

• Sign your informed consent. Read it carefully. It lists:
  • Your name
  • The kind of surgery you will have
  • The risks of your surgery
  • An acknowledgement that you have spoken with your doctor about the surgery and had an opportunity to ask questions
  • Your agreement to have the surgery
• Change from your clothing into a hospital gown
• Have an intravenous (IV) line started
• (Possibly) have the site of your surgery clipped, shaved and scrubbed
• Meet your anesthesiologist to discuss your anesthesia care
• Meet other members of your surgical team

When It's Time for Your Surgery

Many patients are given medication to help them relax prior to their surgery. If you have this medication, don't be surprised if later on you don't remember anything about your arrival in the operating room.

Even so, you can feel confident knowing that the operating rooms at Torrance Memorial are busy places, where everyone is engaged in working to ensure that everything about your planned surgery procedure is safe. At all times, you will be taken care of by a team of professionals who are concentrating on you and working to ensure the best outcome from your planned procedure.

In the OR the lights are bright and the temperature is cool. Since it is important to your health that you stay warm during the surgery, we will provide warm blankets or a warming device. Your surgeon will have given you some broad guidelines about how long your surgery will take but be aware that length of the surgery and recovery time at the hospital may vary from one patient to another.

After Your Surgery

When your surgery is complete, you will remain under post-anesthesia supervision (constant care from a post-anesthesia care nurse). It's normal to experience a range of symptoms as the anesthetic wears off - for instance, you may be sensitive to loud noises, you may experience blurry vision or a dry mouth and you may have chills. Your nurse will continuously assess you for pain and administer medications as needed.

During Your Stay

During your stay at Torrance Memorial, your comfort is our priority. These are many of the amenities and services available to you.

Private Patient Rooms

• Bathrooms with showers
• Cable television
• Bedside telephone
• Free Wi-Fi
• Daybeds for overnight guest
• Plenty of space for visitors

Patient Meals & Room Service

Torrance Memorial is proud to offer healthy meals to patients. Dietitians work closely with your doctors and nurses to ensure that your nutritional needs are met during your stay. They can provide you and your family with information on special diets and discuss any nutritional concerns.

Learn more about Patient Meals & Room Service

Wireless Internet Access

Wireless Internet access is available through personal devices throughout the medical center.

How to Connect:

Step 1: Turn on WiFi on your device.

Step 2: Connect to the Torrance Memorial Guest WiFi network.

Step 3: Ensure your device remains connected to receive timely updates and communications from your care team.

Interpreters

The Torrance Memorial Interpreter program is available to all Torrance Memorial inpatients, outpatients and their relatives. Every attempt is made to provide services in any language, either by an in-person interpreter or by telephone. Please alert a staff member if you need interpreter services.

Pet Visitation

A special group of volunteers at Torrance Memorial provide canine pet visitation services. If you are interested in a pet visitation, visit please discuss your options with your nurse.

Going Home

When your in-hospital care is complete, you will be discharged by your physician. This does not necessarily mean your treatment is over. There may be medications you need to take, therapy, follow-up appointments or other care related to your illness or injury.

The professionals in our Case Management Department work closely with your doctor and nurses to develop a discharge plan. This includes coordinating the details of your continued care to provide a smooth transition home or to a nursing facility. The Case Management staff will advise and assist you with these plans.

Need help managing your care? Learn more about our Care Coordination Center.

Make Transportation Arrangements

Please make transportation arrangements in advance of your visit. Depending on your procedure, you may not be able to drive. If you are unsure, ask the pre-registration representative or nurse.

Will You Need Help at Home?

Home Care Agencies - For a list of non-medical, private-duty, home health care agencies that provide care services of high quality to help you during your recovery period, contact HealthLinks at 310-325-9110 ext. 4225.

Pharmacy

You have the option of filling your prescriptions at the Torrance Memorial Outpatient Pharmacy. A family member or other person you designate may take the prescription(s) to the Outpatient Pharmacy before you are discharged, or you may ask your nurse to fax the prescription(s) in advance.

Your prescription(s) can be picked up during regular business hours from the Outpatient Pharmacy before or as you leave the medical center. At the time of pick-up, the pharmacist will review the medications with you or your designee and answer any questions. Please bring your medication card.

Surgery Guide

We've created a guide to help prepare you for what to expect before, during and after surgery. This guide includes details about perioperative instructions, information for the day of surgery, and guidance about what to expect after you go home. It's important to review all the information.

View Surgery Guide