Inova Neurosurgery: Preparation for Surgery

You should generally plan to arrive 90 minutes prior to your scheduled procedure; however certain surgeries may have special instructions. Your surgical coordinator will discuss the instructions for the day of your surgery.

Please bring the following information with you for registration the day of your surgery:

• A valid photo ID
• Insurance card
• Form of payment
• Pharmacy card

The neurosurgery and the anesthesia teams will each need to obtain informed consent from the designated Power of Attorney (POA). This can be done in person or over the phone. Please make sure that we have contact information for the POA in order to facilitate effective communication. 

We will give your family/companion a pager and, while in the Surgical Services Waiting area, they can also track your progress on a flat screen monitor using a secure and unique identifier created for you.

Yes, and once the surgery has begun, they will be directed to the Surgical Services Waiting Area. Once you are awake, comfortable and ready, they may join you in your recovery room.

Being "cleared for surgery" means your doctors, including your PCP, have evaluated you and stated your fitness to endure surgery. If surgery is recommended, our team will help coordinate the necessary clearances.

Different surgeries will have different lengths of stay in the hospital. A discharge will be made once your surgeon and other doctors feel it is safe for you to leave the hospital. At a minimum, you will be ready to go home when you have:

• Minimal nausea or vomiting
• Stable vital signs
• Able to drink easily
• Able to urinate
• Are able to get in and out of a car

You can ask your surgeon on his/her expectations for duration of hospital stay.

For your convenience, Inova has a retail pharmacy on site to fill your prescriptions before you leave. Otherwise, you may use your preferred pharmacy.