From our Center’s anesthesiologists phone call the day before surgery, simplified admission procedures, to our next-day post-operative follow-up phone call, every aspect of patient care is designed with your needs in mind.
Please talk to your physician about any daily medications you are currently taking, especially for heart, diabetes or blood pressure problems; be sure to mention any over-the-counter drugs, diet pills or herbal supplements. In many cases you will receive prescriptions from your surgeon, which should be filled and brought to the Surgery Center on your day of surgery.
In an outpatient setting it is not always necessary to perform diagnostic tests prior to surgery. If your physician requests diagnostic services such as lab work, X-rays, and EKGs, the Pre-Assessment Nurse from the Surgery Center, will call you to arrange those appointments approximately a week prior to the day of your surgery.
If the patient is a child, please remember: At least one parent/guardian must remain at the Surgery Center while the child is in our facility. A parent (or guardian) must sign release permits for surgery if the child is under age 18.
The afternoon or evening before your surgery, a doctor from the anesthesia staff will call you in order to confirm your appointment, review your pre-operative medical history, ask questions and answer any questions you may have. Surgery times may change for a variety of reasons. Please provide us with a number where you can be reached the afternoon and evening before your surgery and the morning of your surgery.
For your safety and protection, you will not be allowed to drive a motor vehicle after surgery if your surgery involves a general anesthetic or other type of sedation. Please arrange for a responsible adult to take you home and to stay with you the first night following surgery. If the patient is a child, it is best to have someone along with the driver to help care for the child on the trip home. Even those of you using ride services such as Uber or Lyft will require another adult to accompany you home.
LEAVE US PHONE NUMBERS WHERE YOU CAN BE REACHED the afternoon before your surgery and the day of your surgery. There are many factors that may change the time your physician would like you to be at the Surgery Center. The Surgery Center Anesthesiologist will call you the afternoon or evening before your surgery to confirm the final time you need to be at the Center for your surgery – Don’t forget to check your cell or home phone. If there is a cancellation or a delay on your day of surgery, we may ask you to come in earlier or later depending on the situation. Please be available to our staff by phone.
BATHE OR SHOWER on the morning of surgery to minimize the risk of infection.
REMOVE CONTACT LENSES AND ALL MAKE-UP BEFORE ARRIVAL.
DO NOT EAT OR DRINK (this includes water and chewing gum) after midnight the night before surgery unless otherwise directed by your anesthesiologist. Your surgery will be postponed if you ignore this precaution.
DO NOT CONSUME ALCOHOL 24 HOURS PRIOR TO YOUR SURGERY. REFRAIN FROM SMOKING 12 HOURS PRIOR TO YOUR SURGERY. These substances can cause you to have adverse reactions to anesthesia and medication.
WEAR LOOSE COMFORTABLE CLOTHING and shoes.LEAVE JEWELRY AND VALUABLES AT HOME (Do bring your insurance card, credit card and government issued photo identification such as a driver license).
BRUSH YOUR TEETH on the morning of surgery
HEALTH CHANGES should be reported immediately to your surgeon, even if the changes seem minor, such as fever, cough, rash, or a cold. Please notify your physician if there is a possibility that you are pregnant or are trying to become pregnant.
ARRANGE FOR A RESPONSIBLE ADULT TO DRIVE YOU HOME AND STAY WITH YOU FOR THE FIRST 24 HOURS FOLLOWING SURGERY. For most, the effects of anesthesia and sedation will make you drowsy for that period of time. RIDE SHARING SERVICES (Uber/Lyft etc) ARE NOT AN ACCEPTABLE OPTION
ARRIVE ON TIME so that your surgery may begin as scheduled.
