Preparing for Surgery

1. PRE-REGISTER
   Patients should come to the surgery center 3 to 5 days before their procedure to pre-register. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by the receptionist who will assist you in this process. After this, you will spend some time with the pre-admitting nurse who will obtain your medical history, send you for any testing requested by your doctor, give you instructions for your procedure and answer any questions you may have.
   
   Things you will need for pre-registration:
   
   
   • Your Insurance Card(s) and/or Insurance Information
     
   • Any paperwork the doctor’s office asked you to bring
     
     
2. BEFORE YOUR SURGERY
   
   • Do not have anything to eat or drink after midnight, unless you have been instructed otherwise.
     Exceptions:
     
   • Patients having a Colonoscopy procedure must follow the doctor’s instructions and take the prep as ordered.
     
   • Patients having Cataract procedure with Dr. Grossman may have clear liquids (e.g. Jell-O, Tea, Broth, Black Coffee) but NO DAIRY PRODUCTS, from midnight up to four hours before the scheduled arrival time. Nothing to eat or drink within four hours of the procedure.
     
   • Patient having YAG Laser Procedures do not need to follow any special instructions or diet.
     
   • Expect a call from a nurse from our facility to confirm your appointment and answer any other questions you might have.
     
   • Plan on leaving valuables at home.
     
   • Plan on wearing loose comfortable clothing. 
     
     
3. ON THE DAY OF SURGERY
   
   • You must have a responsible adult driver who can wait at our facility while you are in the procedure.
     
   • If the patient is a minor, Parent(s)/Legal Guardian must be present upon registration and must stay at the facility at all times.
     
   • Even though you have been told not to eat or drink after midnight, you may take the following medication with a small amount of water: Blood Pressure Medication, Heart Medication, Thyroid Medication, Seizure Medication or any medication your physician has instructed you to take.
     
   • If you are a diabetic, please do not take any pills or insulin the morning of the procedure. If your surgery is scheduled for later in the day, the nurse will give you further instructions.
     
   • If you use an inhaler, please bring it with you.
     
   • Bring a list of the medication you are currently taking.
     
   • If you wear glasses, please bring them with you.
     
   • If you wear dentures and/or a hearing aid please leave them on.
     
   • Children may bring a pacifier, their favorite toy, blanket, book or any item that may be comforting to the child. If the child uses a bottle, the parent may bring it and give it to the child after the procedure as instructed by a nurse.
     
   
   
4. WHEN YOU ARRIVE
   
   • Check in at the registration desk.
     
   • A nurse will take you to the pre-operative area where she will review your medical history, medication, check your blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and answer any questions you may have.
     
   • You will also meet your Anesthesiologist and your Operating Room Nurse.
     
   • You will be asked many times to tell us what you will be having done today. Sorry for the redundancy, this is a quality assurance procedure.
     
     
5. DURING SURGERY
   
   • You are the most important person in the operating room. Our top priority is your comfort and safety.
     
   • Your Operating Room Nurse will assist you onto the table and make you comfortable.
     
   • Your Operating Room Nurse will stay with you throughout your procedure. 
     
     
6.  AFTER THE PROCEDURE
   
   • You will rest in the recovery area until you are able to go home.
     
   • You and the responsible adult with you will be given instructions about your care at home, any medications the doctor has prescribed and your follow-up appointment with your doctor.
     
   • If an emergency occurs once you return home, Call your physician immediately. If for some reason you are unable to contact your physician, call or go to the nearest Emergency Room or Urgent Care facility.
     
     
7. THE POST OPERATIVE PHONE CALL
   
   • One of the nurses from our facility will contact you one or two days after your procedure to check on you and answer any questions you may have.
     
   • You may receive our Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire. Please complete and return to us in the self-addressed, stamped envelope provided for you. We value you and appreciate your comments and suggestions.
     
   • We wish you well in your recovery, and thank you for choosing the University Surgery Center for your surgical procedure.