Hospital Surgeries

We currently perform most of our surgeries at Marin General Hospital. Please consult with our Surgery Scheduler if you have specific questions regarding your surgery.

Your pre-operative consultation

During your preoperative (preop) consultation your doctor will go over the details of your medical procedure. Please prepare any questions that you may have beforehand to ensure that they can allay any concerns that you may have regarding your planned procedure. Our providers will also, go over what to expect after your procedure as well as possible complications that may occur.

Our medical staff will take your height and weight and ensure that necessary tests, such as ECG’s and blood work, are completed prior to your procedure. They will also give you instructions on preparing your skin the night before surgery and the day of surgery.

Cleansing your skin before surgery can reduce the risk of infection at your surgical site. You will be given a set of cleaning cloths that contain Chlorhexidine Gluconate(CHG), which kills germs on your skin and fights infection. These cloths work better than soap and water because CHG stays on your skin for longer periods of time.

Please advise our staff if you have any sensitivities to the ingredients on the cleaning cloths.

Here are the complete instructions on the use of the cleansing cloths:

Instructions for preparing your skin the night before surgery.

Instrucciones para limpiar su piel antes de la cirugia.

The Night Before Surgery

Nothing to eat or drink after midnight!

This includes gums and mints, absolutely nothing
If instructed by your physician to take certain medications the morning of surgery, take with only a sip of water

Cleansing Instructions

Shower using the antibacterial chlorhexidine soap/cloths given to you at your Pre-Registration appointment or by your surgeon. Chlorhexidine cleanses the skin by disrupting the cell membranes of bacteria. Do not shave the area near or at your operative site for 48 hours prior to your surgery. Follow the detailed instructions given to you by the Pre-Registration RN or surgeon on how to properly cleanse the area. It is essential to cleanse with chlorhexidine the night before AND the morning of surgery.

Linen Instructions

Make sure to have clean, fresh sheets on your bed, clean clothes to wear to bed and clean clothes to wear to the hospital after your morning shower.

Anesthesia Consultation

The Anesthesia Consultants of Marin (ACM), a Marin General Hospital based anesthesia group, provide comprehensive, personal, state-of-the-art, advanced anesthesia at Marin General Hospital. All ACM physicians are Diplomats of the American Board of Anesthesiologists. Prior to surgery the anesthesiologist will contact you and ask you questions about your current health and physical condition, past experiences with anesthesia, medications you are currently taking, and any known allergies to medication. They will also go over the risks associated with different types of anesthesia.

Drinking any amount of alcohol on a regular basis can cause your body to become alcohol dependent. It is important to discuss your alcohol consumption and narcotic doses with your physician or anesthesiologist. Medication can be provided that helps to prevent alcohol withdrawal while you are hospitalized. Alcohol withdrawal is a serious medical condition.

The Day Of Surgery

Take any medication prescribed by your physician for the morning of surgery with only a sip of water.

Cell phones are allowed. Wireless is available. Items you should bring include:

Photo ID
List of all medications
Insurance information
Your physician’s information (primary care and any others)
Any forms given to you to bring in completed for check-in
Comfortable clothing with elastic waistbands, underwear, socks, t-shirts, exercise shorts for rehab
Comfortable, non-skid slippers for the hospital room
Walking or tennis shoes for rehab
Personal toiletries
C-Pap breathing machine if you use one at home
Pictures of inside your home

Wear loose comfortable clothing with elastic waistbands. Do not wear heavy makeup, body lotion or perfumes. We recommend you leave jewelry and any valuables at home.

Preparing Your Support Person

Once you are admitted to the hospital, you and your support person are taken to pre-surgical area where the nursing staff will take your vital signs, start intravenous (IV) fluids, conduct pre-operative preparation to the operative site (which may include clipping hair) and administer medications. Then you will then be transported to the operating room.

Pre-operative Interview, Safety and Site Initialing

You will meet the OR Circulating Nurse who will be responsible for your care while in the operating room. The anesthesiologist will also meet you and review the medications and procedures to be used during surgery. Your physician will also meet with you and sign the limb to be operated on.

When you are ready to go to the OR, your support person will be directed to the surgical waiting area or asked to provide a phone number for the surgeon to contact after procedure. If they choose to wait, the surgeon will meet briefly with them after the procedure. They can remain in the waiting area for the 1–2 hours until you are transferred to the post-operative surgical floor, 4 West Surgical Unit A.

Directions:

From Hwy 101 Northbound
Take the San Anselmo exit which turns onto Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Go west for 1.5 miles on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to Bon Air Road (fourth traffic signal). Turn left onto Bon Air Road. Turn left into the main hospital entrance.

From Hwy 101 Southbound
Take the Sir Francis Drake Boulevard exit. Go west for 1.5 miles on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to Bon Air Road (fourth traffic signal). Turn left onto Bon Air Road. Turn left into the main hospital entrance.

From Westbound I-580
Merge onto the Sir Francis Drake Boulevard exit (toward US 101 South). Go west for 1.5 miles on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to Bon Air Road (fourth traffic signal). Turn left onto Bon Air Road. Turn left into the main hospital entrance.

Via Westbound 80
Take 80 to Highway 37 west, and then take 101 south. Take the Sir Francis Drake Boulevard exit. Go west for 1.5 miles on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to Bon Air Road (fourth traffic signal). Turn left onto Bon Air Road. Turn left into the main hospital entrance.