Preparing for 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.

The nature of most procedures will require that you and your physician confirm and ask additional questions around the specific type of procedure you are having.

This will depend upon a number of factors. However, we believe that familiar faces can assist in reducing your anxiety about the procedure, so please do not hesitate to inform the nurse that you would like a friend or family member to sit with you.

You will receive instructions regarding arrival time during your pre-operative phone call.  It is important that you arrive at the designated time.

Please be sure to notify your physician, anesthesiologist and nurse prior to the date of your procedure 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. There are different types anesthesia for your procedure: Conscious Sedation or Monitored Anesthesia Care. Your Anesthesia provider will discuss available options with you and make a recommendation after reviewing your medical history. The anesthesia providers will take all precautions to minimize your risk.

Depending on your procedure, there may be anesthetic options. Your physician or anesthesia provider will discuss available options with you after reviewing your medical history.

Together, you, your physician and your anesthesia provider will develop an anesthetic care plan. This plan may include preoperative sedation and other medications if necessary.

All anesthetics have risks. These risks are dependent upon many factors, including the type of procedure and the medical condition of the patient. Your anesthesiologist will assess you preoperatively and every precaution will be taken to minimize your risk. We routinely see minor symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, sore throat, dizziness, tiredness, headache, muscle aches and pain, most of which are easily treated.  Please feel free to discuss any questions with your anesthesia provider.

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 your procedure. 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 procedure may be delayed or cancelled.

Admissions to a hospital from our 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.

If you are in serious pain, or exhibit warning symptoms described in your discharge instructions, please call your physician, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.

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 receive 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". 

We will often use a combination of different modalities to help make you comfortable - choosing from oral medications, intravenous medications, nerve blocks, injection of local anesthetic during the procedure, etc. Prior to the procedure, the management of your pain should be discussed with both your anesthesiologist and physician. Please feel free to bring up any concerns or fears you may have. Remember that information on pain management gives you the appropriate expectations and hence a smoother, more comfortable recovery. It is important to follow instructions regarding your post operative pain medication closely.  Many pain medications take 20 to 30 minutes to begin to work.  For best results, the pain medication should be taken before the pain becomes too strong.

After your procedure, you will be taken to a recovery area. A nurse will monitor your vital signs and make sure you are comfortable. Once you are awake and alert, your family member will be notified. Due to privacy concerns, family members are encouraged to wait in the waiting room.

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. Patients who have diabetes and those patients on blood thinners may require some adjustment of their medications. These instructions will be clarified with you before you leave the facility. If you have any questions, please call your physician or primary care physician.

The amount of recovery time varies from patient to patient. After your procedure, a nurse will monitor your vital signs and make sure you are alert and stable. You will be sent home as soon as your health care team feels it is safe to discharge you from the facility.