Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Surgery Center?
Surgery centers are facilities where surgeries are performed that do not require a hospital stay. They are cost-effective, convenient and less stressful than a large hospital environment.

When should I register for my surgery?
To avoid any delays the day of your surgery, it is important to register 3-5 days prior to your surgery. By registering in advance we are able to review the physician’s orders and verify that all the necessary testing is completed before the scheduled surgery date.

What do I need to register for my surgery?
Please bring the following with you on the registration day;

• Any paperwork given to you at the physician’s office.
• Insurance cards and/or other billing information.
• Driver information.

How do I know if my insurance company will cover my surgery?
The staff at University Surgery Center as well as your surgeon’s office will be able to help you understand and answer your questions regarding coverage.

What time is my surgery?
Surgery Center staff will call you the day prior to your surgery to inform you of the arrival time. If you have not received a call from the Staff by 4:30 p.m. on the day prior to you surgery, please call University Surgery Center at 209-580-3400.

What do I do the day before surgery?
Please do not eat or drink anything after midnight, the night before the surgery. If you take a blood pressure, heart, thyroid and/or seizure medication, please take those like you normally do with a small amount of water. Also, please follow any other specific instruction your surgeon or staff may have given you.

Will I be able to drive after my surgery?
No, any individual that requires sedation for their surgical procedure must be accompanied home by a responsible adult. This is a safety procedure that is strictly enforced for your benefit.

What should I do if something comes up and I need to cancel my surgery?
Please contact your surgeon’s office and the Surgery Center as soon as possible. Our phone number is (209) 580-3400. If you call us after business hours, an answering machine will instruct you in leaving a message.

What should I bring the day of my surgery?

• Please bring a list of the medication that you are currently taking.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothes.
• Leave all valuables at home.
• Try to plan ahead, depending on the type surgery you are having.

What is Anesthesia?

• Anesthesia keeps you pain free during surgery.
  
• Your fear and anxiety can be alleviated by the medications you are given by your anesthesiologist.

What types of Anesthesia are there?
General Anesthesia:

• You are asleep and your whole body is made free of pain.
• It is given by intravenous injection of medications and inhalation of anesthetic gases.

Local Anesthesia:

• You remain awake, but the part of your body that will be operated upon is made numb to pain. This loss of pain sensation is produced by directly injecting the area to be treated with numbing medication.

Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC):

• You will be given pain medication and/or a sedative, in conjunction with a local anesthetic, to keep you comfortable during the procedure.
• Patients often recover quickly from this type of anesthesia.

What type of Anesthesia will I have?
Your surgeon and/or your anesthesiologist will discuss with you the type of anesthesia that will meet your needs during your surgery.

What are common side effects of Anesthesia?
Mild nausea or vomiting is not uncommon after your surgery. It is more likely to occur if you have a history of nausea and vomiting with past surgeries.

Depending on the type of anesthesia you receive, you may experience a sore throat, headache, drowsiness, muscle ache and/or fatigue for a few days after your procedure.

Who will administer my anesthesia?
An anesthesiologist will administer anesthesia during your surgery.

You will have an opportunity to speak with an anesthesiologist the morning of your surgery.

Who will be in the operating room with me?
Your peri-operative team consists of your surgeon and their assistants, nurses, anesthesiologists and a surgical technician.

When do I go to sleep?
You will be prepared for your surgery in the pre-operative area where you may receive some sedation to reduce your anxiety and make you sleepy. Your anesthesia will be administered in the operating room.

Why is the operating room so cold?
The temperature in the operating room is kept low for several reasons: the maintenance of our equipment, the sterility of our supplies, for the comfort of your surgical team who are required to wear long sterile gowns and work under hot lights. We provide you with warm blankets as soon as you are settle in the room.

Are family members allowed into the operating room?
Family members are not allowed into the operating room for safety and sterility reasons. A family member is allowed into the pre-operative area until you are ready to go into the operating room.

What happens in the Recovery Room?

• During your recovery your pulse and blood pressure is monitored on a heart monitor. A finger cover is placed on your finger. It monitors the oxygen in your blood and tells us how well you are breathing.
• When you are awake and ready for fluids, the nurse will start giving you small sips of water.
• You may feel sleepy, dizzy and/or forgetful from the medications given to you during your surgery. These feeling will improve as time passes.
• You may have some discomfort after your surgery. The nurses will give you medication to keep you comfortable.

How long will I be in the Recovery Room?
The average recovery time is usually between 30 to 90 minutes. Since each person is unique, recovery time will vary.

Will someone explain to me what I should do when I get home?
Before you are discharged home, the nurse caring for you will review your discharge instructions with you and/or a family member. Our phone number, as well as your surgeon’s phone number, will be given to you to call if you have any questions.

What happens after the surgery is complete and I return home?
At home it is best to have someone stay with you after you arrive home from your surgery. If this is not possible, we recommend that you have someone available by phone.

A nurse from the recovery room will try to call you the day after your surgery to see how you are doing and answer any questions. If you need to speak to a nurse, you may call the Surgery Center at (209) 580-3400 during normal business hours. Your surgeon is also available. You can reach him/her at their office or they can be paged through their answering service.

How do I care for my wound?
You will receive specific instructions about how to care for your wound from your surgeon. These instructions will be found your discharge instruction sheet given to you on the day of your surgery. Below is some additional information that you may find helpful in the care of your wound.

• You should check the dressing for any drainage. A small amount of clear or light red staining is normal.
• If the dressing becomes soaked with bright red blood you should call your surgeon.
• Mild swelling along the incision is normal.
• If you should experience any increase in swelling, pain and/or firmness around the surgical area, call your surgeon.

When do I remove the dressing?
You may remove your dressing when directed by your surgeon. Most patients are able to remove their dressing within one to three days of surgery. You will find more information about your dressing in your discharge instruction sheet.

When instructed by your surgeon to remove the dressing, always be sure to wash your hands with soap and water.

What are the signs and symptoms of wound infection?
** If you have any of these signs or symptoms call your surgeon **

• Redness around the incision that is spreading. (It is normal for the area around your incision to be slightly red).
• Increased swelling around the incision.
• Increased tenderness and/or pain that is not alleviated by medication.
• Numbness or tingling of the operative extremity.
• Temperature of 102 degrees or higher and/or chills.