Frequently Asked Questions

Any pre-operative tests will be determined by your physician or anesthesiologist and communicated to you prior to the date of your surgery

Yes. The initial phone call will take place approximately two-three weeks prior to your procedure to review medical records and medications.

You will also be contacted by someone in the billing office regarding your co-payment/deductible/co-insurance. 

Finally, you will recieve a phone call one day prior to your procedure for your check-in time

Please bring a photo identification and your insurance card(s). Our staff will need to verify and make copies when you check-in on the day of your surgery. 

Be sure to bring any medications that you may need during your stay at the facility (i.e. an inhaler or insulin)  or instructed to bring.

Please bring a list of all medications you are currently taking.

Please bring payment of any patient responsibility (e.g. co-payment/deductible/co-insurance)

Please do not wear any jewerly including rings, watches or any piercings. Please don't bring any valuables

If you are receiving general anesthesia, yes. You will not be allowed to drive after surgery. Please arrange for an adult to drive you home and for someone to be with you for 24 hours. 

If you are having your procedure under a local anesthetic, then you can drive yourself home, unless told you need to have a driver.

If you are recieving general anesthesia you will not be able to eat or drink anything after midnight. You will receive instructions on taking your medications the morning of surgery. 

When you arrive at the facility, you will be checked-in by a member of our staff. The admission process is usually very quick as we have obtained most of your information prior to your arrival. This final check allows us to verify all of your key information so we can better serve you.

For your comfort, we encourage you to wear clothing that can be easily removed and stored. Please avoid wearing any jewelry, piercings, nail polish and cosmetics, and leave contact lenses at home or bring your lens case with you.

A nurse will escort you into the pre-operative area where you will change your clothes. Your belongings will be safely stored until you are ready to go home. We recommend that you leave all valuables and additional accessories at home. 

A nurse will conduct a pre-operative assessment that will include taking your vital signs and starting an IV if it is required for your procedure. The anesthesia provider will also speak with you in the pre-operative area to review all pre-operative information and discuss your anesthesia. 

Our staff will keep your family and friends informed of your progress. We understand the anxiety family and friends will have while you are having your procedure. We will make every effort to keep them informed of your progress and when they will be able to re-join you after the procedure.

We realize that surgery can be frightening for you and your child. If your child would like to have a stuffed animal or security blanket for added comfort, feel free to bring these items on the day of surgery. In the case of young children having surgery, it is best to have someone along with the driver to help care for the child on the trip home. 

If you experience any health changes between your most recent visit with your physician and the date of surgery, notify your physician immediately. Please report even minor changes, such as an elevated temperature, cough or cold. If you cannot reach your physician, please call the facility. 

For young children Please bring a change of clothes. It is best to have children in a two-piece pajamas.

Please be sure to notify your physician, anesthesiologist and nurse prior to the date of surgery if you think you may be pregnant. The surgical procedure, anesthesia and medications may be harmful to a developing baby.

No. We advise against smoking on the day of your procedure. Smoking may interfere with the anesthesia and frequently produces nausea during the recovery period.

Yes.

The nature of most procedures will require that you and your physician confirm both the specific type of procedure you are having as well as the surgical site of that procedure. You will also speak with your  anesthesiologist.

Yes. You will receive a separate bill from your anesthesia provider if anesthesia was administered. 

It is important to refrain from eating and/or drinking prior to surgery in order to prevent the risks of aspirating gastric contents (complication related to vomiting) during your surgery. This complication may be very serious. 

Specific instructions based on national safety standards will be provided to you prior to your procedure. It is very important that you follow the provided instructions. If you do not, your surgery may be delayed or cancelled. 

Admissions to a hospital from a surgery center happen occasionally. In certain circumstances, your physician or anesthesiologist may determine that you need to be transferred to a hospital for additional post operative care. 

Your surgeon may have specific recommendations for your post operative diet. We generally suggest that you eat lightly after surgery.

The management of your pain is of great importance to us. We will be assessing your level of pain from the time of admission until you recieve our post operative call at home. During your stay at the facility, you will be repeatedly asked to rate your pain using a numerical scale (1-10), or for children, the "Faces Pain Scale". 

Yes. 

After surgery, you will be taken to a recovery area. A nurse will monitor your vital signs and make sure you are comfortable as the anesthesia begins to wear off. Once you are awake and alert, your family will be invited back to the recovery area. Special arrangements are made for children having surgery. 

No. 

Patients will not be allowed to drive after a procedure and must make necessary transportation arrangements. If you plan to walk or take public transportation from our facility after a procedure, please make sure you are accompanied by a responsible adult. 

Most patients should continue their usual medications after surgery. Patients who have diabetes and those patients on blood thinners require some adjustments of their medication. These instructions will be clarified with you before you leave the facility. 

If you have any questions please call your surgeon or primary care physician. 

That depends on the procedure and how you wake up. Most patients are discharged within 60 minutes of arriving in the recovery room. You will recieve a post-op phone call the morning after your surgery to assess how you are recovering and to answer any questions you may have.