Check-In
You will arrive at the hospital the morning of surgery as directed by the nurses that call you the night before. You will be brought back to the preoperative holding area by the nurse to prepare you for surgery.

​

Pre-Operative Area
Once in the back, the nurses will prepare you for surgery.  You will see Dr. Waddell in this area and he will answer any last questions and will mark the site for surgery.  It is important that only Dr. Waddell mark the site as we have a strict protocol to avoid wrong-site surgery.

​

After speaking with Dr. Waddell, you will see your anesthesiologist and they will begin preparing you for the operating room.

​

In the Operating Room
You will be transported to the OR awake.  Most of Dr. Waddell's surgeries do not require you to be put to sleep any longer (no intubation), though you will be sedated so that you don't remember anything.  Most all patients receive a spinal epidural to numb the lower half of your body. 

​

The time in the operating room will vary depending on your surgery. Each step of the process getting you ready for surgery requires time and this will make it seem longer for your family in the waiting room.  Please see the FAQ for surgical time averages.

​

Once the surgery is complete, you will be transported to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU).

​

Post Anesthesia Care Unit

Once in the PACU, your recovery begins! Most patients will be in the PACU only a few hours.  During this time, the nurses will monitor you for any changes after your surgery.  In most cases, you will begin your physical therapy in the PACU. Most total hip and total knee patients will walk in the PACU with physical therapy. 

​

For the Family

Your family will wait in the waiting room during your surgery.  While most total joint replacements only take about an hour to complete, the patient will be gone for much longer.  This is because each step, including preparing for surgery and anesthesia, takes time as well.  With all these combined, the patient will usually be gone from the family for 2 hours.  After the surgery, Dr. Waddell will speak with your family to update them on the surgery.

​