Below is description of what generally happens when you arrive in Montreal.

• Have an in-person consult with your surgeon 1-2 days before your surgery.
  
• Follow the instructions for the night before your surgery related to enemas, showering, hair removal, and removing make-up and jewelry. 
  
• Follow the instructions from your surgeon for when to stop eating and drinking.

• Arrive at the surgical centre on the day of surgery. Some people are advised to come the night before.
• Check in with the Admissions Desk. Get a wristband with your name, date of birth, PHN and the gender that is listed on your BC Services Card. If this is different from the name you use and your gender, you can ask for an extra “Name Alert” wristband with your correct name and pronouns.

• The staff will show you to your room. There will be a vault to store your valuables.
  
• A nurse will talk with you about what to expect. You’ll be given a hospital gown to change into. You’ll be reminded to remove your jewelry. You can ask any questions you have.
  
• The nurse will start an IV and check your blood pressure.
  
• The surgeon may make some drawings on your skin to guide the procedure. 
  
• The anesthesiologist may visit you to talk about the anesthetic and answer questions.

• You will be taken to the Operating Room in your hospital bed.
  
• The nurses will assist you onto the surgical table and put on a blood pressure cuff and some monitors.
  
• The anesthesiologist will talk you through going under anesthesia.
  
• Once the anesthesia has made you fall asleep, the surgeon will begin the procedure. The procedure usually takes about two hours.

• When the surgery is over, you will be taken to a recovery area.
• Nurses will monitor you closely until the anesthesia wears off.
  
• You will be taken back to your hospital room and the nurses will help you get settled. They will continue to monitor you, help you with pain management, and talk to you about your bandages and drains.
  
• After your surgery, you will stay at GRS Montreal’s surgical centre (called the CMC) for 2-3 days.
• The nurses will typically have you stand completely upright, the first night of your surgery. The next day, they will have you walk around a small amount. This improves blood flow and the speed of healing.
• You will then move to GRS Montreal’s post-operative centre called the Asclépiade for about 1 week. This building is next door to the clinic, and a nurse will usually bring you over in a wheelchair. Nurses are on-site to provide 24-hour post-operative care, support, and education.