You probably
have Questions…

As a new or experienced patient to surgical procedures, you may have some questions about the new facility, your surgeon, or protocol inquiries regarding your particular needs.

The following page contains multiple questions and answers that most patients have during the surgery protocol. Please find your question below and click the small arrow to open the answer.

As always, if you do not see your particular concern listed here, or in the overall procedure sections of this site, please contact us via phone or email. We will be happy to help.

General questions about Protocol

All patients will need an up-to-date medical history and physical form. Some may need blood tests, EKG or x-rays. These services are not available at the Surgery Center. Your surgeon will advise where you will have this done.

Please notify the surgeon and the Doctors Outpatient Surgery Center at 402-480-7222 as early as possible if you cannot make your scheduled appointment. Early notification can help us better accommodate you and other patients.

Please wear comfortable clothing. Button-down shirts or blouses are best. Wear comfortable shoes. Leave all jewelry at home, including body-piercing jewelry. If you wear contact lenses, you will probably have to remove them for the surgery, so please wear your glasses. If you have to wear your contacts, please bring contact solution and contacts case. Please do not wear any make-up as this can hide certain clinical signs. Please remove all body piercings.

You refrain from eating and/or drinking prior to surgery in order to prevent the risks of aspirating gastric contents during your surgery. This complication is very serious and you need to strictly abide by our recommendations.  Failure to follow these instructions may result in cancellation of your procedure.

We generally request that you take your medication before leaving home. Diabetic medications will be individualized. We will usually hold diabetic medicines and manage your sugar at the Center. You should be contacted before your surgery leaving no doubts in your mind as to which medications you should take. Please bring a current list of all your medications with you.

People using inhalers must bring them to the Center on the day of surgery.

Some medications will be stopped for the surgery, particularly diabetes medication and blood thinners. You should bring these medications with you the day of surgery. Please call us with any questions you may have.

Herbal medications may have harmful effects on the surgery. Many of these remedies may affect your clotting mechanism and interfere with the anesthetic agents. (The list of drugs and their side effects are too great for this site.) We generally request that you stop these medications two weeks before surgery. Please remember to mention these remedies when being asked about medication.

You are welcome to bring one person with you to the Center. That person will be given updates during your surgery, as well as discharge instructions for your care after surgery.

When a patient is a child often two parents and/or guardians will accompany him or her to the Center. We will do our best to accommodate everyone.

Please refrain from bringing young children to the Center as guests.

Yes. We call each patient before the surgery to gather information and hopefully answer any of your questions. Preoperative instructions will be given by the nurse who calls you. You can also call the Center directly with any questions.

Yes. You can comfortably take a shower, bathe, brush your teeth, etc. Please do not use make up, hair spray, nail polish or toiletries. These may interfere with the anesthesia monitoring and possibly hide clinical signs from the anesthesiologist.

If you are not feeling well, please contact your surgeon immediately. There are some surgeries which are safer if delayed when you are sick. Your surgeon will need to know specific details to make the decision. Please do not delay in contacting your surgeon.

This will not affect most surgical procedures. Call us if you have any questions at 402-480-7222.

It is very important for us to be aware of this possibility. Only essential surgery is done on pregnant patients. If there is any doubt please contact us immediately.

All patients will be seen by the anesthesiologist on the day of surgery prior to entering the operating room. Sufficient time should be spent to answer any questions you may have. If you need to speak to the anesthesiologist before the day of surgery, you are welcome to call the Center and we will arrange for you speak with an anesthesiologist.

We will make every effort to accommodate any special need you may have. We strongly encourage you to call the Surgery Center in advance so that we can properly prepare to make you comfortable. Do not hesitate to call and suggest anything that may make your day easier.

Yes. Please bring any walkers, post-op crutches, hearing aids, etc.

  • Bring case for eyeglasses or contacts
  • Bring insurance identification cards, driver’s license, completed billing forms, copayments
  • Leave all valuables, such as jewelry, at home
  • Bring all medications or a list of your current medications including dosages
  • Make sure you have a ride with you and someone to care for you at home
  • Bring a favorite bottle or “sippy cup” for your child
  • Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing

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 postoperative call at home. We need to inform and prepare you for each step of the process. This education will begin with our first contact. You will be repeatedly asked to rate your pain from a numerical scale called the Visual Analog Pain Scale, or for children, the Faces Pain Scale. Using the results of our communication we will alter the therapy as needed in order to assure your comfort.

The management of your pain will be taken very seriously. 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. and 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.

Yes, in certain situations. Some operations can be performed using a choice of different anesthetic types. Your anesthesiologist will discuss available options with you after reviewing your medical history. Your preference will be discussed so that the most appropriate anesthetic plan is made.

You and your anesthesiologist will develop an anesthetic care plan.

All operations and all anesthetics have risks and they are dependent upon many factors including the type of surgery and the medical condition of the patient. Most patients operated on in surgery centers are of the healthier group of patients, and in these circumstances serious complications, while they can occur, are fortunately very rare.

You refrain from eating and/or drinking prior to surgery in order to prevent the risks of aspirating gastric contents during your surgery. This complication is very serious and you need to strictly abide by our recommendations. This has nothing to do with nausea and vomiting after your surgery as some think.

We have very clear policies as to specific times before surgery when you must refrain from eating and/or drinking. These are all based on safety standards. Please note that the standards have been revised recently. We believe that the fasting time should be as short as possible before your surgery. You will not improve your safety by not eating or drinking longer than necessary; in fact, at times you may complicate things a bit.

Any patient receiving anesthesia should not drive until the next day.

All patients must have a ride home and have a responsible adult to care for them at least the first 24 hours following surgery.  Patients will not be allowed to drive, walk or take public transportation home after sedation or anesthesia without a responsible adult. Please make the appropriate arrangements.

Protocol before Surgery

There are multiple things to consider as you prepare for your upcoming surgery. Please follow these steps carefully prior to your surgery to help ensure your procedure goes as smoothly as possible. If you have any other questions or concerns, contact us.

  • You are not sure what time to arrive at the center on the day of your procedure.
  • You experience any changes in your health between your most recent visit to your physician and the day of your procedure, even minor ones like a temperature, cough or a cold.
  • You suspect that you are pregnant. Anesthesia and medication may be harmful to the developing fetus.
  • You have a latex allergy, diabetes, heart conditions, kidney or liver failure.
  • You take medications on a regular basis. Your physician/surgeon may have guidance about which medications you should or should not take on the day of your procedure.
  • Do not smoke after midnight the day of your surgery.
  • Do not eat anything (including gum, mints, hard candy), after midnight the day of your surgery. Undigested food in the stomach can cause complications and your surgery is likely to be postponed. If you are not scheduled for surgery until later in the day, your physician may give you more specific instructions about when you need to stop eating and drinking.
  • Take a bath or shower and brush your teeth.
  • Remove all makeup, jewelry, and contacts. Please plan to wear your glasses, but if you must wear contacts, please bring your storage case for use during surgery.
  • Wear loose, comfortable clothing that can accommodate a bandage, cast, or other type of dressing where the procedure is being performed.
  • Bring all insurance cards. It is important for us to have all the current and correct information.
  • Bring a government issued photo ID such as a driver’s license.
  • Bring your form of payment, if required.
  • Bring a copy of your consent forms and an Advance Directive if you have one. Your signature will be required in accordance with your particular procedure.
  • If you use an inhaler, bring it with you.
  • Arrange for a responsible adult to accompany you to the center, receive discharge instructions, and drive you home. It is recommended that someone stay with you for the first 24 hours following surgery.
  • Limit the number of people who accompany you to the center.
  • Leave all jewelry, cash and valuables at home. You will be given a secure locker for your belongings, but we cannot be responsible for their safety.

Special Care for Children
We give children the extra care they need in an unfamiliar setting.

Please refer to the Before My Surgery and During Your Stay for further tips, as well as the guidelines on this page for children. Following these instructions may prevent delays or cancellation of the surgery.

Food and Drink
Children must not eat solid food for eight hours before their arrival. Please do not allow them to suck on candy or swallow toothpaste before surgery.

  • Children under 10 may have clear liquids until 4 hours before surgery time
  • Children over 10 may have clear liquids until 6 hours before surgery time

Parental Care
We require at least one parent to remain in the center during the surgery and recovery. Please do not bring other young children along.

Personal Comforts
Please bring your child’s favorite blanket, stuffed animal or toy for added security.

After Surgery
You will be able to be with your child as soon as he/she is awake and medically safe for transfer after recovery.

Special Care for Special Needs Adults
We understand that loved ones who depend upon others for daily living require special attention. Besides the guidelines in the Before My Surgery and Day of Surgery, the following tips, will help make care for these adults easier:

Consent
The legal guardian needs to sign the consent for surgery and anesthesia on or before the day of surgery.

For Admission
Please bring the patient’s recent health history and medication information. Be certain to follow the food and drink rules in the Before My Surgery section.

Personal Attendant
As with other patients, special needs patients require a parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult to remain at the center from admission through recovery. A personal attendant will be required to stay with the patient for 24 hours after discharge.

Doctors Outpatient Surgery Center is a Joint Commission accredited facility. 
The Joint Commission is the leader in developing the highest standards for quality and safety in the delivery of health care, and evaluating organization performance based on these standards.
Today, more than 16,000 health care providers use Joint Commission standards to guide how they administer care and continuously improve performance.

Patient Rights  |  Patient Responsibilities | No Surprises Act

Copyright 2024 Doctors Outpatient Surgery Center. All rights reserved.

Doctors Outpatient Surgery Center is a Joint Commission accredited facility.   The Joint Commission is the leader in developing the highest standards for quality and safety in the delivery of health care, and evaluating organization performance based on these standards. Today, more than 16,000 health care providers use Joint Commission standards to guide how they administer care and continuously improve performance.

Patient Rights  
  Patient Responsibilities
No Surprises Act

Copyright 2022. Doctors Outpatient Surgery Center. All rights reserved.

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