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What to Bring

You should bring a friend or relative with you, or be able to identify someone who can escort you home. The hospital will not let you walk or take a taxi or public transportation home. Identify that person before you come to the hospital so you can give his or her name to the Admissions Representative.

You should also bring any papers that your doctors may have given to you and your insurance cards and forms. Bring any test results from pre-procedure tests.

If you are staying overnight, you will be more comfortable if you bring your personal toiletries, pajamas, robe, and slippers. Also, bring your medications or a list of them (name, dose, and how often you take them). However, please be aware the nurse will administer medications to you. If you are having outpatient surgery, wear loose, comfortable clothing.

What Not to Bring

  • Bring only those items you will need immediately after your procedure.
  • Leave all valuables at home, including jewelry, watches, money, checkbook, credit cards, etc. A wedding band may be taped to your hand.
  • If you wear eyeglasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, dentures, or prosthetics you will be asked to remove them prior to surgery.
  • Do not wear makeup, especially nail polish and lipstick. The doctors and nurses need to see your natural coloring during your procedure.

If you have any questions please call the Admissions Office at (517) 975‑7475. Please note you will be contacted by the hospital to pre‑register.

Preparing for your surgery

The videos below will step you through the process leading up to your surgery, what to expect the day of your procedure, and the next steps in your recovery.

Patient preparing for surgery

Please remember:

  • Stop smoking or using any form of tobacco as early as possible
  • Clearing walkways and remove throw rugs
  • Have some meals prepared ahead of time
  • Bring a list of medications you take at home
  • Bathe with antibacterial soap the night before your procedure
  • Sleep in clean sheets and bedding
  • Wear clean clothes to the hospital
What to expect day of surgery

Please remember:

  • Wear loose-fitting clothes to the hospital
  • Do not wear deodorant
  • Bring your ID and insurance cards
  • Bring guardianship papers or durable power of attorney forms if necessary
  • Arrange for someone to drive you home
What to expect during procedure

Please remember:

  • Your support person can wait in their car or our lobby
  • They must stay at the hospital for the duration of your procedure
  • Your support person can see updates on our confidential electronic tracking boards
What to expect after procedure

Please remember:

  • Ask a member of your care team for help getting from your bed to the restroom
  • Your nurse will show you how to care for your procedure site
  • You’ll be given a “fall risk” wristband for the first 24 hours after your procedure
  • You may meet with a member of our physical therapy team if your procedure involves a total hip or knee replacement
Getting ready to go home

Please remember:

  • You won’t be able to drive for at least 24‑hours after your procedure
  • Have someone stay with you to help you for a few days
  • You’ll need to take special care of your procedure site, including changing dressings and keeping your incision site clean
  • Set up a recovery area where you’ll spend most of your time
  • Contact us if you are in extraordinary pain
Manage your pain at home.

Please remember:

  • It’s completely normal to experience pain as you heal after your procedure
  • You’ll be asked frequently to rate your pain on a scale of 1 to 10
  • McLaren is committed to fighting opioid addiction
  • We’ll teach you strategies to help control your pain without the use of painkillers
Preparing for your spine surgery.

Please remember:

  • It’s completely normal to experience pain as you heal after your procedure
  • You’ll be asked frequently to rate your pain on a scale of 1 to 10
  • McLaren is committed to fighting opioid addiction
  • We’ll teach you strategies to help control your pain without the use of painkillers

Post Op Discharge Information

Before meeting your friend or family member for the ride home, your post‑operative discharge instructions will be reviewed with you. It includes your surgeon's guidelines on activity level and diet, as well as the date of your next office visit.

Because most patients spend all or some of their recovery time at home, you need to know about home care. Before you go, you and your caregiver may want to ask about:

  • diet;
  • driving and other activities;
  • medications;
  • bandages and dressings;
  • bathing and showering;
  • pain (what to expect and what to do);
  • stitches, staples, and incision care;
  • signs of infection; and
  • returning to work.
Going over discharge instructions.