Surgical Preparation

Day Before Surgery

Informed Consent

When you are evaluated for your surgery, the surgeon will explain the procedure and have you sign a consent form. If the surgeon feels you will benefit from an evaluation with the anesthesiologist, it will be arranged before your surgery. Otherwise, you will meet the anesthesiologist in the holding area just before surgery.

Pre Admission Testing

The pre-operative examination with your surgeon will determine if any additional tests are necessary prior to your surgery. If so, you will receive instructions of where to go and what to do to prepare for surgery at that time.

The Surgery Center staff will call you before your surgery and give you additional preoperative instructions. They include, but are not limited to:

  • No food or drink (including water) after midnight the night before your surgery.
  • Report to the Surgery Center one hour before your scheduled surgery time to complete your admission forms and sign your consent. Persons under 18 years of age must have a parent or legal guardian with them.
  • You must have a ride to and from the facility on the day of your surgery. It is required that someone stay with you for 24 following your discharge from a major surgery.
  • Leave all valuables at home on the day of your surgery.
  • If you take medications specifically for high blood pressure, heart condition, seizure and/or asthma medication, please take them as soon as you get up with a few sips of water, enough to get it down. If you use an inhaler, please bring it with you to the Surgery Center.
  • You may brush your teeth and rinse your mouth, but no gum, mints, tic tacs, etc.
  • If you are having an orthopedic surgery, please be sure to wear clothing that will accommodate a large dressing. If you are having carpal tunnel, breast augmentation, or any surgery on your face please wear a shirt that buttons, zips, or snaps up the front.
  • Please leave your jewelry at home - this includes toe rings, anklets, body piercing(s), tongue rings, etc. If you are unable/refuse to remove the jewelry then you will be asked to sign a waiver releasing us of any responsibility in the event of an accident related to items not being removed.
  • If you wear contacts, we will request you remove them prior to going into the operating room. Please bring your glasses instead or a case with contact solution so you can remove them prior to surgery.
  • Please do not put any body lotion or perfume on. Deodorant is acceptable.
  • You will recover in our post-operative area for an estimated time of 1 hour for general surgeries, and 30-45 minutes for sedation (monitored anesthesia care, "M.A.C.").
  • We will request contact information on your ride home upon your arrival to our Surgery Center. We will contact your ride when your surgery is over and let them know an estimated discharge pick-up time.
Thank you for letting us take care of you.

topDay Of Surgery

After you have been admitted by the receptionist, a nurse will escort you to the pre-operative area. At this time you will be prepared for your surgery or procedure. Before surgery, the staff will provide you with an explanation of what to expect in the surgical area. The staff will ask you a number of questions and initiate any needed paperwork for you to read and/or sign. Once you are settled in, your family and/or significant others are welcome to stay with you until you are taken to the operating room. Your belongings may be stored in a locker when you are admitted. Your anesthesiologist will help decide which type of anesthesia is best for you. Your surgeon will be available for any questions prior to your surgery.

During the surgery or procedure, family and friends can wait in the reception area.

Once you enter the operating room, you will be prepped for surgery. Your anesthesiologist will be at your side throughout the surgery. Your Surgeon will guide the team though the actual operation. Depending on the length and complexity of your surgery, a number of other team members may be present. The team may include nurses, surgical residents, physician's assistants, and surgical technicians.

Once your surgery is complete, you will be taken to the recovery room. A nurse will monitor your recovery until you are awake and alert. Your nurse will talk with you about the equipment, as well as discuss dressings applied to your body. You will be kept in this area until you are stable enough to be discharged. The typical stay in the recovery room is one hour. The nursing staff will keep the receptionist informed of any changes or reasons for a longer stay, if necessary.

topDay After Surgery

When you are discharged from the Surgery Center, there are a number of things you should understand to ensure the success of your surgery:

  • Remember that the recovery process continues once you return home. You may experience minor after effects such as drowsiness, muscle aches, a sore throat and occasional dizziness or headaches. You could also experience some nausea, but vomiting is less prevalent. You will begin to feel better within hours, but it may take several days before after effects disappear.
  • Plan to take it easy for a few days as the majority of patients do not feel up to their typical activities right away, usually due to general fatigue or surgical discomfort.
  • Be aware of any restrictions placed by your surgeon. These restrictions will be written on your discharge instructions, which the nurse will explain to you in detail. When you leave the surgery center, you will be given a copy of your discharge instructions.
Automobiles
  • Your physician will decide when it is safe for you to drive your automobile.
  • As a passenger, the following tips will make your trip a safe and enjoyable one:
    • Have the driver park the car a few feet from the curb so that you enter and exit the car from street level rather than the curb.
    • Have the seat pushed back before getting into the car.
    • If necessary, use a firm cushion to raise the seat height.
    • Sit down first, and then bring legs in pivoting to face forward.
    • Always use your seat belt.
Bathing
  • Your surgeon will write any restrictions on your discharge summary.
  • Depending on your surgery, a shower may need to be substituted for that favorite soaking hot bath.
Wound Care
  • Your nurse will instruct you on wound care, crutch walking, or pain pump management, and may require a return demonstration from you.
  • Your surgeon will write orders regarding the cleaning and bandaging of your wound before you leave the Surgery Center.
  • If they arise, report the following signs and symptoms to your surgeon:
    • Drainage or odor from the incision.
    • Increased swelling or pain in the surgical area.
    • Tenderness
    • Increased redness
    • Fever
    • Numbness or tingling
Medications
  • Your surgeon will provide prescriptions for your pain medicine.
  • Take the medicine as directed. Taking more than the prescribed dose can be dangerous.
  • Narcotic pain medicines are constipating. Eat high fiber foods, fresh fruits and vegetables and drink at least eight glasses of fluid each day. Unless instructed otherwise, take your favorite laxative, when necessary to relieve constipation.
  • Your surgeon may also prescribe a stool softener to aid your bowel function.
  • Depending on the type of surgery, it may be necessary to take a medicine to prevent blood clots. If so, be sure that you take the medication as directed.
Diet
  • Unless instructed otherwise, resume your normal diet. Eat plenty of foods high in protein to help with healing.