Your Appointment
Making you feel at ease for your surgery is important to us. Here’s what you can expect:
Prior to your procedure
- You will receive a pre-registration call several days before your procedure to verify your insurance information, obtain details regarding your medical history and be given special instructions to follow before you come to the center. You may also pre register for your procedure here.
- You should not eat or drink anything after midnight on the night before your surgery, unless you are instructed otherwise.
- Please follow the instructions given to you at the time of your preoperative call regarding your daily medications prior to your procedure.
- Please bring your health insurance card(s), driver’s license or some form of ID, list of current medications, eyewear and hearing aids.
- Leave all jewelry and valuables at home.
- Please arrange to have someone drive you home after your procedure. The medications you will receive will slow your reflexes, so it is unsafe for you to drive. You may also wish to bring a pillow for the car ride home.
- Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing that is easy to take off and put on.
When you arrive
- Please sign in at the reception desk of the surgery center when you arrive. Your insurance information will be copied and returned to you.
- All patients are asked to review and sign a consent form before their surgery to authorize the doctor to perform the procedure. Patients under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian sign the consent.
- One of our nurses will escort you to your room and help to prepare you for surgery. This will include checking and recording your vital signs, allergies and other patient information. You will also be asked to change into a gown.
- An I.V. will be started so that we may give you intravenous medication. This medication will help to relax you and make you feel more comfortable.
- Your family members/friends may wait for you in the general waiting area where there are complimentary hot and cold beverages, a television for their pleasure and reading material. You may also choose to have a family member/friend present during your preparation or join you in your waiting room upon completion of the nursing assessment and testing.
- Your anesthesiologist and surgeon will meet with you to provide any specific information you have about your procedure.
- When it is time for your surgery, a surgical nurse will take you to the operating suite. The amount of time in surgery will depend on your particular procedure.
After your procedure
- You will rest for a short period of time in our Recovery Room until the effects of the anesthesia wear off.
- Your surgeon will talk to your family members/friends on your progress immediately following surgery.
- After your recovery, our staff will review home care instructions with you and your family members/friends. Verbal and written discharge instructions will be provided concerning your diet, activity, medications, dressing, pain, follow-up visits, returning to work, shower or bathing and lifting.
- To be sure your recovery is progressing well, a nurse from the Center will call you sometime after surgery to check on how you are feeling and to address any questions or concerns.
- We highly recommend you schedule your postoperative appointment with your surgeon.