Download and print information to help you plan for your surgery.
If you have not completed a Living Will of Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care decisions, and you wish to, please do so before admission. Bring notarized copies to the hospital for your record.
Virginia Mason supports each patient's rights to determine his or her care. Upon admission, you will be asked if you have an advanced directive. If you have an advanced directive, we will make a copy for your medical record. If you do not, we will provide you with a brochure with more information.
Mental Health Advance Directive
Group Health and Virginia Mason do not allow smoking on the hospital grounds. If you smoke, we strongly recommend that you stop smoking before your operation. Smoking has a negative effect on your lung function. It reduces your ability to fight infection and robs your body of oxygen. If you are interested, ask your nurse or physician about tobacco cessation programs.
Your surgeon will decide whether you will go home on the same day as your operation or stay in the hospital. Sometimes this decision is not made until the day of your operation. Please discuss this with your surgeon.
You will need to have someone available to drive you home after your operation. For your safety, you will also need a responsible adult to stay with you at least 24 hours after your operation.
Please do not do any of the following for 24 hours after receiving anesthesia:
Ask your surgeon what limitations to expect after your operation. Think carefully about help you will need at home and make arrangements for this before your operation. Plan for how you will get to the bathroom, move up and down stairs, have your meals and care for yourself.
Before you leave the hospital, a return visit for follow-up care will be scheduled for you.
If you need temporary housing, please see our available accommodations.
Please follow the instructions below carefully. They are intended to reduce your chance of vomiting, which may cause severe lung complications. If these instructions are not followed, your surgery will be delayed or canceled.
Adult Patients
Infants and Children
Learn more about planning for surgery.