Chelsea Hospital Surgery Center

The Surgery Center is located at Chelsea Hospital (775 S. Main St.) and can be accessed through the entrance at the back of the hospital, near the Cancer Center. Enter the hospital campus from the North Entrance and follow the drive around to the back of the hospital. There are parking spaces directly in front of the door labeled “Surgery drop off.”

If your driver/guest plans to stay, please park in another space behind the surgery center. If you are leaving the same day from the Surgery Center, your companion will be able to pull up to the “Surgery Pick Up” spaces on the side of the Surgery Center. 

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It is very important that you follow all of the instructions you received from your doctor and the pre-surgical team. The following instructions are appropriate for most surgeries.

One Week Prior to Surgery:

• Take your regular medications unless instructed otherwise
  • Do not take Plavix seven days prior to surgery. If you normally take Plavix, contact your surgeon’s office.
• Report any signs of cold, sore throat, cough, fever or other symptoms of illness.
• Do not shave the surgical area.
• Ensure all pre-operative testing has been completed.
• Review the Safer Surgery brochure

Five Days Prior to Surgery:

• Do not take Coumadin five days prior to surgery. If you normally take Coumadin, contact your surgeon’s office.
• Do not shave under your arms three days prior to surgery if you are having a sentinel lymph node biopsy.
• Remove any nail polish or artificial nails as you cannot have these for surgery.

Four Days Prior to Surgery:

• A nurse from Chelsea Hospital will call you to go over your medical history and give you more instructions for the day of surgery.
  • If the nurse gives you a different time of arrival, please follow those instructions.

Night Before Surgery

• If you were instructed to use Hibiclens® review and follow the Pre-Operative Showering Instructions
• If you were NOT instructed to use Hibiclens® review and follow the Preoperative Skin Preparation Instructions
• Please follow the infection prevention guidelines regarding the body wipes, washing your bed linen, changing your pajamas and restriction on pets as stated in the Safer Surgery brochure.

Morning of Surgery

• Do not shower, bathe or shampoo hair
• Wash face and private areas
• Brush teeth and rinse mouth
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing to the hospital
• Do not apply makeup, creams, lotions, hair gels, sprays, perfumes or deodorant. Using any of these products will add bacteria to the skin and increase the risk of infection.
• Do not bring any valuables or wear any jewelry (no rings, earrings, toe rings, other metal piercings or watches)
• Do not wear contact lenses to surgery. If you wear glasses, bring your eyeglass case.
• If you wear hearing aids or dentures, bring a case because you will not be allowed to wear them during your surgery.
• Follow the guidelines you received on eating and drinking prior to surgery.
  • If you were instructed by your physician to drink the Clear Ensure/Carb Loading drink, please be sure to finish this drink 3 hours prior to your scheduled surgery time.
• No smoking, vaping, chewing gum, candy or mints
• Bring your responsible adult companion (18 years or older) to drive you to and from surgery.

At the end of your surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room while your surgeon calls the phone number provided by your companion to discuss the surgery findings and expectations for recovery. During recovery, the surgery team will ensure you are comfortable.

If you are leaving on the same day of surgery, your Anesthesiologist and nurse will determine when you are ready to go home. Your nurse will review discharge instructions with you and your companion, including the requirement that your adult companion must stay with you for 24 hours following your surgery. When it is time to go home, your companion will pull your vehicle to the Surgery Pick Up spot on the side of the surgery center.

If you are being admitted to the hospital, you will be taken to a patient room from the recovery room. Your nurse will let your companion know what room number and when you will be there so your companion can join you.

Pain after surgery is normal. While everyone feels pain differently, typically surgical pain is worse during the first two to three days after surgery and then begins to get better. Pain may be well-controlled with a schedule of over-the-counter medications, non-medication options, such as compression or ice, or your surgeon may recommend a prescription pain medication. It is important to follow all instructions about pain management.

If you are prescribed an opioid by your surgeon, it is important to know the risks. Learn more here and find out where you can safely dispose of any unused opioids.

During your surgery, we invite your companion to check out the amenities of Chelsea Hospital. From gorgeous outdoor walking paths and gardens to food and the gift shop or coffee and the chapel, Chelsea Hospital offers activities to pass the time. Learn more.