PREPARING FOR YOUR SURGERY
Patient Registration:
To expedite the check-in process, please submit your patient registration forms prior to your surgery date. Pre-registration is designed to be quick and easy to complete. It is helpful to have your health information and insurance handy while filing out your forms.
Contact your surgeon/physician immediately, if any of these conditions apply to you:
- You experience any changes in your health from your most recent visit to your physician to the day of your procedure – even minor ones like a temperature, cough or a cold.
- You suspect that you are pregnant. Anesthesia and medication may be harmful to the developing fetus.
- You take medications or vitamins on a regular basis, such as herbal supplements, diet pills, aspirin, ibuprofen, blood thinners, or other medications. There may be certain medications you should or should not take prior to your surgery.
Make Arrangements:
- Have a responsible adult accompany you to the center and drive you home; you will not be allowed to drive yourself home after surgery.
- Plan for someone, such as a friend, relative or dedicated caregiver, to stay with you for the first 24 hours following your procedure.
- Make accommodations for childcare if you have young children at home you normally care for.
- Limit the number of people who accompany you to the center.
*Please note an interpreter must be present, if the patient cannot read or speak English.
Food and Drink:
- DO NOT consume any alcoholic beverages 24 hours before your surgery.
- DO NOT drink or eat anything (including water, gum, mints, or candy) after midnight the night before your surgery, unless otherwise instructed. Undigested food in the stomach can cause complications and your surgery is likely to be postponed or cancelled.
DAY OF YOUR SURGERY
Please follow these important guidelines and check-in at your scheduled arrival time on the day of your surgery.
Morning of surgery:
- Shower with an antibacterial soap, such as Dial or Lever body wash, and brush your teeth prior to your arrival. Please remember to not swallow any water after brushing.
- Remove all makeup, jewelry, body piercings and corrective lenses. If you must wear contacts or glasses, please bring your storage case for use during surgery.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing that can accommodate a bandage, cast, or other type of dressing where the procedure is being performed.
What to bring the day of surgery:
- Bring your insurance cards and government issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license, state ID, or passport). It is important for us to have your most current and correct information.
- Bring a form of payment, if applicable.
- Have a responsible adult accompany you to the center and drive you home; you will not be allowed to drive yourself home after surgery. (Please note a legal guardian must be in the center at all times for children and dependent adults).
- Bring comfortable clothing for your post-surgery ride home. Stretchable clothing such as loose button up shirts, large leg bottoms, and slip-on shoes tend to be to be the most comfortable and convenient to wear after surgery.
- Leave all jewelry, cash and valuables at home.
*Please note an interpreter must be present, if the patient cannot read or speak English.
AFTER YOUR SURGERY
After your surgery, you will be taken to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU Recovery Unit) where specialty trained nurses will monitor you closely until you are ready to go home. The amount of time you stay in the recovery room will vary, depending on the procedure performed and physician’s instructions, but most patients will typically spend one hour recovering.
You will receive verbal and written post-operative care instructions regarding diet, rest, exercise, and medications before discharge. Please make sure a responsible family member or friend is available to drive you home, where you should plan to rest for the remainder of the day.
If anesthesia and/or pain medications were administered, arrange for an adult to remain with you for at least 24 hours. The following precautions should also be taken after discharge:
- Do not drive or operate heavy machinery
- Do not make any major or legal decisions
- Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours
Contact your physician for follow-up appointments, as needed, and for any questions or unexpected problems. If there is a medical emergency, dial 911 immediately.
Patient Rights & Responsibility
Click here to review your rights and responsibilities as a patient.