This information describes what to expect before and after your surgery at MSK’s Josie Robertson Surgery Center (JRSC). Read this before your surgery. Refer to it on the day of your surgery so you know what to do and what to expect. Remember to also read the educational resources your nurse gave you.
The JRSC is an ambulatory surgery center. Your care there will be based on your surgery and designed just for you. We’ll talk with you so you know what to expect at every step.
Before your surgery
You’ll get a series of surveys in your MyMSK or email account before and after your surgery. They’ll ask about your health and your experience at the JRSC. If you don’t already have a MyMSK account, it’s best to sign up before your surgery.
Using MyMSK
MyMSK (my.mskcc.org) is your MSK patient portal. You can use it to send and read messages from your care team, view your test results, see your appointment dates and times, and more. You can also invite your caregiver to make their own account so they can see information about your care.
If you do not have a MyMSK account, you can sign up at my.mskcc.org. You can get an enrollment ID by calling 646-227-2593 or your doctor’s office.
Watch How to Enroll in MyMSK: Memorial Sloan Kettering's Patient Portal to learn more. You can also contact the MyMSK Help Desk by emailing [email protected] or calling 800-248-0593.
The day of your surgery
What to bring
- Your prescription card, if you want to have your prescriptions filled at the JRSC.
- Toiletries, especially if you may need to stay overnight after your surgery.
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Clothes to wear when you leave the JRSC after your surgery. We’ll give you a gown, robe, and slip resistant socks to wear while you’re at the JRSC.
- Your outpatient clinic nurse may tell you to bring specific types of clothing. For example, they may tell you to bring a button-down shirt or pants with an elastic waistband. Follow their instructions.
- Your phone or tablet and its charger.
- It’s best to leave other valuable items at home or with your caregiver or visitor. This includes jewelry.
- A pillow to keep you comfortable for the car ride home, if you want.
Read the patient education resources you got in clinic or in MyMSK. They may list other items to bring.
If you’re expecting to stay overnight at the JRSC, 1 caregiver or visitor can stay with you. They should also pack a bag with any toiletries and clothing they will need.
Rarely, we must move a surgery from the JRSC to Memorial Hospital, MSK’s main hospital. If that happens, your caregiver or visitor may not be able to stay overnight with you. Your care team will give you more information.
Where to go
The JRSC’s address is:
1133 York Ave. (between East 61st and East 62nd streets)
New York, NY 10065
The JRSC has a driveway for patients to be dropped off safely. You can get to the driveway from the southbound lane of York Avenue.
If you’re arriving from the northbound lane of FDR Drive or York Avenue, turn left onto 61st Street. Go around the block so you can pull into the driveway on southbound York Avenue.
Where to park
MSK patients and visitors can reserve parking at the garage next to the JRSC. Its address is:
425 E. 61st St. (between York and 1st avenues)
New York, NY 10065
The entrance is just past the JRSC on the right side of the street.
Visit www.msk.org/parking to learn how to register and reserve. For more information about parking options, call 646-888-7100.
There are several other garages near the JRSC. We’ve listed a few below.
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1113 York Ave. (at the corner of York Avenue and 61st Street)
New York, NY 10065
The entrance is on 61st street on the left side of the street. -
501 E. 61st St. (between FDR Drive and York Avenue)
New York, NY 10065 -
403 E. 60th St. (between 1st and York avenues)
New York, NY 10065
MSK does not have a relationship with these garages. Call them directly for more information.
Figure 1. MSK’s parking garage (blue) and other nearby garages (teal)
Check in at the JRSC
A concierge will greet you when you enter the JRSC. They’ll direct you to the check-in area on the 3rd floor.
When you get to the 3rd floor, you’ll get a blue badge to wear. If you have a caregiver or visitor with you, they’ll get a yellow badge. These badges help your care team find you and your caregiver so they can give updates on your progress.
We’ll ask for the name and contact information of the person taking you home after your surgery. This person can give their phone number to get text message updates before, during, and after your surgery.
What to expect in the pre-surgical center
A member of your care team will bring you to the pre-surgical center on the 6th floor when they’re ready for you. Your caregiver or visitor can stay with you until you go to the operating room.
In the pre-surgical center, you’ll change into a gown, hospital robe, and nonskid socks. We’ll give you a bag to store your clothes, phone, glasses, and other belongings. We’ll keep this bag in a locked closet during your surgery and bring it to you in your recovery room.
You’ll meet with your care team in the pre-surgical center. They’ll review your medical history and answer your questions. Tell them if you have any dietary restrictions, such as if you’re kosher, gluten-free, or vegetarian. They will make sure you get the foods and drinks you need.
Your nurse will bring you to the operating room when it’s time for your surgery.
Information for caregivers & visitors
| We sometimes update our visitor policy to keep our patients and staff safe and healthy. Go to www.msk.org/visit for the most up-to-date information. |
When we take the patient to the operating room, you will go back to the waiting area on the 3rd floor. The waiting area has Wi-Fi, charging stations, and screens that show surgery updates. There is also a café where you can buy food, drinks, and gifts.
When possible, a nurse liaison will visit you in the waiting area to share surgery updates. After the surgery, a staff member will bring you to the patient’s recovery room once they’re ready for visitors.
After your surgery
At the JRSC
A member of your care team will take you to your private recovery room on the 4th, 5th, or 6th floor. Your care team will bring your caregiver or visitor to your room once you’re ready for visitors.
When you’re awake, your nurse will:
- Encourage you to walk.
- Offer you something to eat and drink, if it’s allowed after your surgery.
- Review your discharge instructions with you.
- Answer your questions.
From your room, you’ll be able to:
- Communicate with your care team.
- Watch or listen to music channels on the TV.
- Use your smartphone or tablet for calls, music, or video chats.
Depending on your surgery, you may stay at the JRSC for 1 night. Your room will have a lounge chair or sleeper seat so 1 caregiver or visitor can stay with you.
If your care team feels you need to stay longer, you’ll be taken to Memorial Hospital, MSK’s main hospital. It’s located at 1275 York Ave., between East 67th and East 68th streets.
At home
A member of your care team will call you the day after you go home. They’ll ask how you’re feeling and answer your questions.
Fill out your Recovery Tracker
We want to know how you’re feeling after you leave the JRSC. To help us continue caring for you, we’ll send questions to your MyMSK account every day for 5 to 10 days after your surgery. These questions are known as your Recovery Tracker.
Fill out your Recovery Tracker every day before midnight (12 a.m.). It only takes 2 to 3 minutes to complete. Your answers to these questions will help us understand how you’re feeling and what you need.
Based on your answers, we may reach out to you for more information or ask you to call your surgeon’s office. You can always contact your surgeon’s office if you have any questions.
For more information about your Recovery Tracker, watch the video below.