Frequently Asked Questions
All patients will need an up-to-date medical history and physical form. Some may need blood tests, EKG or x-rays. Your surgeon will advise where you will have this done.
Please notify both the surgeon and the Surgery Center as soon as possible if you are unable to make your scheduled appointment. Early notification allows us to better accommodate you and other patients.
Please wear comfortable clothing, preferably button-down shirts or blouses, and comfortable shoes. Ensure that all jewelry, including body piercings, is removed and left at home. If you wear contact lenses, you will need to remove them for surgery, so consider bringing your glasses. If you must wear contacts, please bring contact solution and a case. Avoid wearing makeup, as it can obscure certain clinical signs.
You should abstain from eating and drinking before surgery to minimize the risk of aspirating gastric contents during the procedure. This complication is extremely serious, and it’s crucial to strictly adhere to our recommendations. This precaution is not solely related to preventing nausea and vomiting after surgery, as some may believe.
We have well-defined policies regarding the specific times before surgery when you must refrain from eating and drinking, all of which are based on safety standards. Please be aware that these standards have been recently revised. We are committed to ensuring that the fasting period before your surgery is as short as possible. Prolonging the period of not eating or drinking beyond what is necessary does not enhance your safety; in fact, it may occasionally complicate matters somewhat.
We generally request that you take your medication before leaving home. Diabetic medications will be individualized. We will usually hold diabetic medicines and manage your sugar at the Center. You should be contacted before your surgery leaving no doubts in your mind as to which medications you should take. Please bring all your prescribed post-op medications with you.
People using inhalers must bring them to the Center on the day of surgery.
Some medications will be stopped for the surgery, particularly diabetes medication and blood thinners. Please call us with any questions you may have.
Herbal medications may have harmful effects on the surgery. Many of these remedies may effect your clotting mechanism and interfere with the anesthetic agents. (The list of drugs and their side effects are too great for this site.) We generally request that you stop these medications two weeks before surgery. Please remember to mention these remedies when being asked about medication.
You are welcome to bring one person with you to the Center. That person will be allowed to be in your room with you before surgery and may sit with you after the surgery if you so choose.
When a patient is a child often two parents and/or guardians will accompany him or her to the Center. Once the surgery is completed both patents and/or guardians will be permitted into the recovery room.
Please refrain from bringing young children to the Center as guests.
We’ll tailor the care of each patient to guarantee minimal discomfort.
Yes. We reach out to each patient before surgery to collect necessary information and address any questions you may have. Preoperative instructions will be provided by the nurse contacting you. Feel free to also contact the Center directly for any further questions.
Yes. You can comfortably take a shower, bathe, brush your teeth, etc. Please do not use make up, hair spray, nail polish or toiletries. These may interfere with the anesthesia monitoring and possibly hide clinical signs from the anesthesiologist.
If you’re feeling unwell, please contact your surgeon’s office promptly. During regular business hours, feel free to reach out to the Center for guidance. Certain surgeries may be safer if postponed when you’re ill. To make an informed decision, we require specific details. Please don’t hesitate to contact your surgeon or the Center.
It is very important for us to be aware of this possibility. If there is any doubt please contact us immediately.
Patients who have undergone sedation or anesthesia will not be permitted to drive, walk, or use public transportation afterward. It’s the responsibility of any patient who has received anesthesia to arrange for a responsible adult to drive them home and stay with them for 24 hours following surgery.
All patients will meet with the anesthesiologist on the day of surgery before entering the operating room. We’ll allocate ample time to address any questions you may have. If you require a discussion with the anesthesiologist before the surgery day, feel free to contact the Center, and we’ll arrange for you to speak with one.
We will make every effort to accommodate any special need you may have. We strongly encourage you to call the Surgery Center in advance so that we can properly prepare to make you comfortable. Do not hesitate to call and suggest anything that may make your day easier.
Yes. Please bring any walkers, cane, hearing aids, etc.
- Case for eyeglasses/contacts.
- Consent packets.
- Post-op meds that were prescribed by the surgeon.
- Ensure you have arranged for transportation home and someone to provide care for you once you’re home.
- Bring a favorite bottle or “sippy cup” for your child
- Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing
- Leave all jewelry and valuables at home
Ensuring effective pain management is a top priority for us. We’ll assess your pain levels from the moment you’re admitted until our postoperative call to your home. It’s essential for us to keep you informed and prepared at every stage of the process. This education will commence with our initial interaction. You’ll be asked to rate your pain using a numerical scale known as the Visual Analog Pain Scale, or for pediatric patients, the Faces Pain Scale. Based on our communication and these assessments, we’ll adjust therapy as necessary to ensure your comfort.
We approach pain management with the utmost seriousness, often employing a combination of modalities to enhance your comfort. These may include oral medications, intravenous medications, nerve blocks, and injection of local anesthetic during surgery, among others. It’s important to discuss your pain management plan with both your anesthesiologist and surgeon before the procedure. Please don’t hesitate to raise any concerns or fears you may have. Understanding your pain management options helps set appropriate expectations, leading to a smoother and more comfortable recovery.
Your anesthesiologist will review your medical history and discuss the available options with you. Your preferences will be taken into account to develop the most suitable anesthetic plan.
You and your anesthesiologist will develop an anesthetic care plan.
Every operation and anesthetic carries inherent risks, influenced by factors such as the type of surgery and the patient’s medical condition. Typically, patients undergoing surgery in surgery centers are among the healthier population. While serious complications can occur, they are fortunately very rare in these circumstances. More information here.
Yes, one parent is permitted to accompany the child into the operating room during anesthesia induction. However, the decision regarding whether a parent should enter the operating room is highly individualized and should be discussed between you and your anesthesiologist. While there are circumstances where it may be appropriate for a parent to be present, there are also situations where other options may be more suitable and potentially safer.