Learn more about what to do to prepare for your surgery at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women. Our surgery guide provides complete details on what to expect before, during and after your procedure.
Important phone numbers
Preoperative area and Postanesthesia Care Unit: 832-826-3505
Women’s Surgery Waiting Reception Desk: 832-826-3553
Preparing for your Ob/Gyn surgery at the Pavilion for Women
Download the surgery guide for complete information on what to expect before, during and after your procedure. We’ve gathered some key information here, along with an online form to complete for admissions.
Before your procedure
Register with the Department of Admissions
One to two weeks before your procedure, register with the Department of Admissions:
In person: The Department of Admissions is on the third floor, across from the Information Desk, near the garage elevators.
Schedule pre-anesthesia testing
Call 832-826-3631 to make an appointment with a member of the Anesthesia team. We’ll determine whether you have any preexisting conditions that may affect anesthesia plans. One of our anesthesiologists can provide a formal consultation if needed.
Get instructions for medications, food and drink before the procedure
Ask your surgeon or care team whether you need to stop taking medications such as aspirin or blood thinners (anticoagulants). If your care team instructs you to take any medications on the morning of your procedure, you may take them with small sips of water.
Do not eat anything, including mints, gum or hard candies, after midnight before your surgery. Your care team will provide details about clear liquids that you may have before surgery.
On the day of your procedure
What to bring
Leave all valuables, such as money, credit cards and jewelry) at home, and bring:
A list of your allergies and any medications you’re taking
An overnight bag in case you need to spend the night at the hospital
A pillow, blanket and towel to make your car ride home more comfortable
A wheelchair, if needed
What to do
Go to the fifth floor of the Pavilion for Women 1.5 to 2 hours before your scheduled procedure. You may have two adult family members or friends with you in the preoperative area.
What to wear
Do dress in loose, comfortable clothing to allow for possible bulky bandages.
Do wear glasses instead of contact lenses.
Don’t wear any makeup, nail polish or jewelry, including body piercings.
After your procedure
Recovery
You’ll spend about 2 hours in the recovery room. One adult family member or friend may stay with you for a short time. Ask your family members and friends to tell the receptionist in the waiting room if they need to leave the area.
Getting home
Arrange for an adult family member or friend to drive you home as soon as possible after discharge and stay with you for the first 24 hours. You may be sleepy and unsteady from the anesthesia, so it isn’t safe for you to drive yourself or take public transportation alone. You can take a taxi or rideshare if an adult family member or friend goes with you.
Pain management and other medications
Your surgeon may prescribe an antibiotic to prevent infection, pain medication or nausea medication. Take all medications as prescribed.
Don’t take aspirin or products that contain aspirin, such as BC Powder, because they increase the risk of bleeding. Call your care team if you have continued significant pain after taking the prescribed pain medicine as directed.
Diet and activity
You may eat whatever appeals to you after surgery. You may be more comfortable starting with a clear liquid diet and slowly adding solid foods. Don’t drink alcohol while taking pain medications.
Rest as needed and be careful when walking during your first 24 hours after discharge. Your surgeon or care team will tell you when you can go back to your usual activities, such as work or exercise. You may drive when you are no longer taking narcotic pain medication and you can turn and twist without much pain.
Caring for your incision
Keep the wound clean and dry.
A little swelling is common after surgery and will go away.
A small amount of straw-colored discharge from the incision is normal.
You may shower the same day of surgery if you don’t have an incision.
You may shower the day after surgery if you have an incision.
Pat the incision dry with a soft towel or cloth.
When to call your surgeon
Call your surgeon immediately if you:
Have a fever of 101˚ F or higher
Have increased pain or pain that doesn’t get better with the prescribed pain medicine
Have increased redness, heat, swelling, bleeding, oozing or drainage from the surgical site(s)
Have nausea that doesn’t get better with the prescribed nausea medicine
Vomit more than three times
Are unable to urinate six to eight hours after discharge
If you have an emergency
Call 832-826-3150 or go to the Women’s Assessment Center on the 11th floor of the Pavilion for Women.
