What happens when you have surgery? When you come to the operating room, the anesthesiologists give you medicines which make you go to sleep. Once you are asleep, various IVs and other tubes are placed. A breathing tube is also placed so that the anesthesia machine can breathe for you while the surgery goes on. Once all of these things are complete, your surgeon positions you on the operating table. The operating room team will make sure you are laying in a comfortable position, and make sure your head is in the right position to do your operation. Often, this involves placing a head holder, with pins which hold your head firmly in position during your surgery. Next, the area where the incision (opening) will be made is prepared. The operating room team may need to shave an area of your hair, then they wash that area with special antiseptic soaps. Next, your surgeon covers you all up with sterile (very clean) sheets, except for the area of the operation, which is covered with clear plastic. Then the surgeon is ready to begin the operation. Your surgeon has help from a "scrub" nurse who takes care of all the surgical, a circulating nurse who gets additional items for the operating team, and the anesthesiologist, who closely watches you during the operation and gives you medicines to keep you asleep. At the end of the operation, a bandage is applied, medicines are given to wake you up, and the table you are lying on is moved to the recovery area or the intensive care unit. A team of nurses will be there to take care of you as you recover from the surgery. Answered by Dr. Herbert Fuchs, pediatric neurosurgeon, Duke University, Durham July, 2007