SECTIONS

Surgery Program

OVERVIEW

The Surgical Program at Windsor Regional Hospital offers patients services and expertise through both our inpatient units and same-day surgery in our clinics.

Windsor Regional Hospital's Surgical Programs include:

General Surgery
Ear Nose & Throat (ENT)
Endoscopy
Gynecology
Neurosurgery
Ophthalmology
Orthopaedic Surgery
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Paediatric and General Adult Special Needs Dentistry
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Thoracic Surgery
Urology
Vascular Surgery

OUR TEAM

During your visit, you will meet members of the multidisciplinary surgical team including your physician, other Physicians such as consultants or specialists, Nurses, Respiratory Therapists, Pharmacists, Clinical Nutritionists, Chaplains, Social Work, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Infection Control, and Utilization Resource Coordinators.

RESOURCES AND INFORMATION

Information at the following links will help you prepare for your surgery, recovery, and a safe transition after you are discharged.

My Care Journey - A recovery guide for patients and their family members.

The WRH My Care Journey web page has diagnosis-specific information to help you understand what to expect during your stay, learn more about your diagnosis, and explore ways to manage your health after you are discharged. The My Care Journey information is available online in English, Arabic, French, Italian and Spanish. You can also download the My Care Journey App from the App Store or Google Play.

FAQ's

Can my family stay with me until I go for surgery?

Your family may stay with you until you go to the OR. Please try to limit the number of people that are with you. Due to the consideration and confidentiality of other patients, families are requested to come only as far as the outer door of the OR. During the week on the day shift, family/guardians will be given a pager from our volunteer staff. The volunteer will show you how to use the pager. You will be paged to come to the OR when the surgery is done and the patient is in the Recovery Room (PACU). The OR nurse will be able to indicate an approximate time the surgery will be done. The surgeon will come and speak with you at this time. For patients who are: children, elderly, challenged or where there is a language barrier, it is asked that the patient/guardian STAY and be available to speak with both the surgeon and the anesthetist.

Can my family come into the Recovery Room?

Most family members are not allowed into this area, for the privacy reasons of other patients. With children, the child settles much better if they are with the parent, so oftentimes, they are allowed in for a brief period.

If it is emergency surgery or their family member is the ONLY patient in the PACU, once the patient is settled and comfortable, you may be allowed in for a brief time.

I am hard of hearing and wear a hearing aid. Am I allowed to keep this in?

Please leave your hearing aid in your ear when coming to the OR and let the nurses know which ear it is in so that it may be documented.

When will I wake up?

You will wake up in the PACU after your surgery is done.

When can I have something to eat or drink?

You will be given fluids in the Day Surgery / Floor Unit to see if you can tolerate it. Sips of water may be given in PACU if you are there for an extended period of time and the surgeon will allow it.

When I wake up will it hurt?

The nurses in the PACU are very skilled at assessing your pain levels and keeping you comfortable. They will do their utmost to keep pain at a manageable level.

When will I be able to go home?

The nurses in Day Surgery are there to make sure that you are pain-free and have recovered from your anesthetic. Each person is individual on how long they stay. It is important that you are able to keep fluids down and have been able to urinate before you go home. The Day Surgery nurses will also give any post-surgery instructions from the surgeon and prescriptions that have been written to get filled out.

When will my IV (intravenous) come out?

The IV is there to give you fluids and medications so that you are comfortable. Most IVs come out in the Day Surgery Department after you have had fluids and are able to tolerate drinking. If you are vomiting, they may keep the IV in a little longer. The doctor will determine when your IV can come out, depending on your surgery and if you are an inpatient it may stay in for a longer time.

Will I get a chance to see my surgeon before I go home?

Your surgeon will try their best to talk with either you or a family member before you go home, however, sometimes they are back in the OR doing other surgeries. If there is more information that you need, please call their office and leave a message. If it is not urgent, please wait until your follow-up appointment.

Will I get a prescription for pain afterward?

Your surgeon will put a prescription on your chart if any medications are needed. The nurse will give it to you when you are discharged.

Will I see my doctor after the surgery?

The surgeon will probably see you in the Recovery Room (PACU) but most information about surgery/results will be given at a later time. The reason is due to the medications you receive in the OR, you may not remember what they have told you. They will either speak to you later on the floor (Inpatient) or at their office (Outpatient) at your check-up.

Will I see my surgeon before I have my surgery?

Your surgeon will talk to you before you have your surgery. This may be done outside in the waiting area, or in the OR suite itself. It is better, if there are several questions regarding your surgery, to ask them during a visit to their office prior to surgery.

Will I wake up during my operation?

The anesthetist will keep you pain-free and comfortable during your procedure. Not all surgeries require a deep sleep. The type of anesthetic you receive will be decided by the surgeon, anesthetist, and yourself depending on what surgery you are having. Our main goal is to keep you safe and comfortable no matter what you are having done. If you are having a full general anesthetic, you will not wake up during your surgery.