Question:
Does anyone know what criteria is taken into consideration when the

surgeon determines if you will be his first or second case of the day? I just found out that my surgery will be the second case of the day on 5/30/01 even though I have been scheduled for quite some time. I would have thought that I would have been first, but I'm not. Anyone know how they determine who goes first or second? I am having gallbladder removal as well -- would that make the difference?    — Donna H. (posted on April 30, 2001)

April 30, 2001
I was told it was based on the medical condition of all the people scheduled for that particular day. If one person was diabetic with a heart condition, they would go long before someone with arthritis. I hope this helps.
   — Lindsey G.

April 30, 2001
My surgeon asked if I wanted to be first or second. He only does two a day.
   — Maria H.

May 2, 2001
On the morning of my surgery, I arrived at the appointed time and thought that I was my doctor's first surgery. Appparently, there was a scheduling mix-up and someone else had arrived before me and was taken back and I was then going to be second. The staff at the hospital was extremely apologetic and said that I should have been called the previous day and told of the change. My husband was given a free meal in the cafeteria, and we just walked around and wasted time. I never did find out WHY the change was made. I too had been scheduled for quite sometime. I said all of this to say that I am now almost 4 months post op and until I read your question, I had not thought about this since my surgery. It really is low priority and in the long run not something to be too concerned with. It was a little inconvenient in that we had someone taking care of our children and this meant that my husband would be back later. However, I wanted to be sure that my outcome was the best. I did not complain about the mix up and just figured that the other patient must have needed to be first. Again, this really isn't something to be too obsessed about. First, Second, after an 80 pound loss, you will see that it does not matter.
   — [Anonymous]

November 4, 2003
I am allergic to latex. I had surgery on my foot and a few months later, had to have a complete hysterectomy. Both surgeries I was scheduled first of the day. Because latex can 'hang in the air' in the form of powder, it can be breathed in. The OR rooms are thoroughly cleaned between all surgeries and the air inside is circulated through filtering systems. However,it is a risk-management standard to do the surgeries of those who are latex intolerant first before anyone else enters the room who might be wearing latex gloves. There could be microscopic amounts of latex powder in the air that could endanger a person with latex allergies. I know a lady who is so sensitive to latex that a stroll through any department stores' undergarment section sets her off into anaphylaxis. Because of the latex in the elastic waistbands. It is a very serious problem. I don't know if that's what happened in your instance, but it could explain it.
   — Mary C.