Day of Surgery - What to expect the day of your surgery.
What will happen when I first arrive at the facility? 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.

What should I wear? 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.

What should I do with my clothes and additional belongings? 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.

What happens after I check-in? 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.

Will I see my physician prior to surgery? Most likely. 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.

How long can my family stay with me prior to my procedure? 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.

Can my child keep a special blanket or stuffed animal to ease his/her fears? Absolutely. 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. Also, bring your child’s bottle or “sippy cup” for after surgery if they cannot drink from a regular cup.

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

Can I smoke? 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.

Anesthesia - What to expect regarding your anesthesia.
Are there different kinds of sedation or anesthesia? Yes. There are five different categories of sedation and anesthesia: Conscious Sedation, General, Regional, Monitored Anesthesia Care and Local Anesthesia. Regardless of the type of sedation or anesthesia that you receive, special anesthetic agents and techniques are used to provide a safe and speedy recovery. If there are alternative choices available for your surgery, and often there are, your physician or anesthesia provider will discuss them with you before surgery.

May I request the type of anesthesia I will receive? Depending on the type of surgery, there may be anesthetic options. Your physician or anesthesia provider will discuss available options with you after reviewing your medical history.

Will I receive any sedatives before surgery? Together, you, your surgeon and your anesthesia provider will develop an anesthetic care plan. This plan may include preoperative sedation and other medications if necessary.

What are the risks of anesthesia? All surgical procedures and all anesthetics have risks. These risks are dependent upon many factors, including the type of surgery 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.

Will I be billed separately by the anesthesiologist or laboratory? Yes. You will receive a separate bill from your anesthesia provider or laboratory if those services were required. Those services are provided by outside companies which we feel provide the best care for you or your loved one.

Why must I refrain from eating and/or drinking prior to surgery? 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.

After Surgery - What to expect after your day of surgery.
What will happen if I am not well enough to go home? 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.

What if I am not feeling well once I get home? 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.

What can I eat when I get home? Your surgeon may have specific recommendations for your post operative diet. We generally suggest that you eat lightly after surgery, and strongly encourage you to drink plenty of fluids. You should avoid alcoholic beverages.

What can I do to help prevent a post operative infection? In addition to following the recommendations below, follow your post operative instructions carefully and notify your physician if you have any signs or symptoms which concern you.

1. Take a shower the night before and the morning of surgery. Follow these simple steps:
a. Wash your hair first with any shampoo.
b. Wash all of your body using a liquid antibacterial soap and a clean washcloth for each shower.
c. Rinse well to remove all soap.
d. Dry your body with a clean towel.
e. Do not use lotion, cream or powder.
f. Do not shave or clip the area where the surgery will be done unless your physician directs you to do so.

2. On the day of your procedure make sure you, your family and any other caregivers wash hands frequently while at the facility and at home following your surgery. Also, do not hesitate to ask members of your health care team at the facility if they have washed their hands!

3. After your procedure make sure you, your family and any other caregivers wash their hands frequently. Also, be sure you follow all instructions provided by your health care team regarding the care and cleaning of your surgical site as well as the administration of post-operative medications and bandages.

How will my pain be managed? 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 surgery, etc. Prior to the surgery, the management of your pain should be discussed with both your anesthesiologist and surgeon. 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.

Can my family be with me after surgery? 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.

May I drive home? 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.

Should I continue my usual medications after surgery? Most patients should continue their usual medications after surgery. 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 surgeon or primary care physician.

How long will I stay after my surgery? 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.

DOWNLOAD-ABLE DOCUMENTS:
*PATIENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
*NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
*NOTIFICACIÓN DE DERECHOS DE LOS PACIENTES
*CONSENT FOR ADMISSION AND TREATMENT
*HIPAA PRIVACY NOTICE