Preparing for Surgery | Doctors Outpatient Surgical Center

Preparing for
Your Surgery

So, you have decided on surgery! Hopefully, this page will answer some of the questions you have regarding what to expect before, during and after surgery. If there is something we’ve missed, remember, we are just a phone call away!

These are the questions that most people have before their surgery. Please find your question below and click the small arrow to open the answer. As always, we are here to help! Contact us via email, phone or Click Here.

Before Surgery

Contact your surgeon or physician prior to your surgery date if:

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.

After midnight the day of your surgery

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.

On the day of surgery

Follow all instructions regarding eating and drinking that were given to you by the nurse during your pre-op phone call.
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.

What to bring with you on the day of your surgery

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.
We only allow ONE person to accompany you in the pre-operation area, with the exception of pediatric patients (who are allowed both parents). Please no phones.

What not to bring to the surgery 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 needs for Adults

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.

Special needs for Children

Special Care for Children

We give children the ‘extra care’ they need in an unfamiliar setting. Please be assured that your child will be comforted and well cared for while you are not with them.

If it is your first time with a child having surgery, or if you have had previous experiences – we know and understand that this is “a big deal”. We want to help prepare you and your child to make this experience as smooth as possible.

We suggest that you talk to your child about what is going to happen. Use simple explanations. The younger the child, the more general you should keep the information. Preschool children are very literal. Use words such as “fix” and “get better” rather than “take out” or “cut”. School aged children can be given more information based on their developmental age and level of maturity.
It is important that you are truthful with your child – and remember that sometimes “too much” information may frighten them. If they ask you if it will hurt, be honest. Tell them “if it does, we will give you medicine to help the hurt go away.” Reassure them they will not be left alone and you will be waiting for them.
Children feel and react to the anxiety of those around them, so remaining calm and confident when discussing their surgery and during their recovery will help them cope more successfully.
Please bring a comfort item for your child. Something that is soothing and familiar. Don’t forget extra diapers and a spare change of clothes. We have juice, soda, crackers and cookies. Please bring bottles, sippy cups and pacifiers if needed.
Plan ahead for the recovery period. Some parents get a “special” toy or movie or book to save for after the procedure. Make sure you have the assistance you need to care for your child.

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.

The Day of the Surgery

You and your child will check in to the center and be escorted to the pre-operative area. You will be allowed to stay with your child until they are taken back for surgery. Generally, we limit the number visitors with the child to two people. We can certainly make exceptions for special circumstances but it has been our experience that it is in the best interest of the child to limit visitors and excitement.
If you have other children, don’t forget to make arrangements for their care on the day of surgery. We cannot allow siblings in the patient care area.
Your child will be taken back to surgery by one of our operating room nurses. Remember, this is what we do. We see your child as “our child” during surgery.
After surgery your child will wake up in our recovery area with a nurse providing one-on-one care. As soon as they are awake and ready, we will bring you to your child. The nurses will continue to monitor their progress and teach you on how to care for them at home.
Each child wakes up from anesthesia differently. Some children may be crying or appear frightened or angry. Others experience very little distress at all. Please remember what they need most is your calm presence and reassurance. The anesthesia staff and your surgeon will prescribe medicine for pain or other problems that sometimes occur. Our staff will be with you until your child is ready and we are sure that you are comfortable.

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.

Facts about Anesthesia

Anesthesia may be provided by a combination of board certified physicians and certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA). The types of anesthesia provided range from local, sedation, regional, and general anesthesia.

Preoperative Reminders

Preoperative fasting

Each patient should be given his or her own instructions. Please note that if you eat or drink when you were not supposed to, you could markedly increase the risks of anesthesia. Please follow your instructions very carefully. See sections on Anesthesia Frequently Asked Questions and preparing for Surgery.

Preoperative medications

Some medications should be taken and others should not. It is important to discuss this with your physicians. Please bring all your medications, or a list of your medications with dosage, with you on the day of surgery.

Travel arrangements

You must make arrangements for a responsible adult to take you home after your surgery. You will not be able to drive yourself home. You may not be alone the first 24 hours.

Many patients are apprehensive about anesthesia and surgery. If you are well informed, you will be better prepared and more relaxed. Talk with your anesthesiologist and ask questions. Your anesthesiologist is your advocate and is experienced in making your surgery and recovery as safe and comfortable as possible.

What to Expect

Pain relief

In addition to pain medications, we offer several nerve blocks for some types of surgery. Most blocks can be performed in the preoperative area under mild sedation and are tolerated very well. Your anesthesia team will discuss a nerve block if one is available for your type of surgery. A nerve block or blocks are available for surgery on your shoulder, arms, hands, legs, knees, ankles. Eligible types of surgery include broken bones, shoulder surgery, tears in tendons. An injection can mostly reduce or completely eliminate the pain of surgery for 8 to 24 hours. Many times, no additional pain medicine is needed in the recovery room. Nausea and vomiting risk is also reduced or eliminated. Some surgeries require that we perform a block in order to be able to do the surgery in a same day surgery center (without you having to spend a night in the hospital due to pain).

We can also numb the abdomen for laparoscopic gallbladder surgery, umbilical hernia surgery and inguinal hernia repair. These blocks are recommended but are not required. For self-pay patients, these blocks are an additional cost.

Preoperative Interview

Your anesthesiologist and nurse anesthetist will interview you prior to the procedure. This usually takes place on the day of surgery, but for special reasons some interviews will be initiated before the day of surgery. The anesthesiologist will ask questions about your medical history and review any laboratory tests that have been done. You and your anesthesiologist together will then formulate an anesthetic plan. You will discuss anesthetic choices including risks and benefits. The anesthetic plan will be tailored specifically for you by taking into account your general medical condition, the type of surgical procedure and your preferences. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss any concerns that you may have with your anesthesiologist.

In the Operating Room

In the operating room, your anesthesiologist is uniquely qualified and personally responsible for directing your anesthetic. Anesthesiologists are medical specialists who ensure your comfort and make informed medical decisions to protect you. Your physical status is closely monitored. Vital functions such as heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, temperature and breathing are managed. A member of the anesthesia care team will be with you throughout your procedure.

Recovery After Surgery

You will be taken to the post-anesthetic care unit, often called the recovery room. Your anesthesiologist will direct the monitoring and medications to ensure your safe recovery. Your vital functions will be closely monitored by specially trained nurses. Medications to minimize postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting are given as needed. Nausea and vomiting tend to be less of a problem today because of improved anesthetic agents and techniques although it still occurs quite often. When you are ready, you will be offered something to drink. A family member or friend may be allowed to be with you, and you will be assisted in getting up. Most patients are ready to go home between 30 minutes and 1 hour after surgery for most procedures. Oral and written instructions will be given. You will also be given a telephone number to call if you have any concerns when you get home. In general, for the first 24 hours after your anesthesia:

Do not drink alcohol or use nonprescription medication
Do not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery
Do not make important decisions
You may not be left alone that first day

Be prepared to go home and continue your recovery there. Patients may experience drowsiness or minor side effects such as muscle aches, sore throat, headaches and mild nausea. These usually decline rapidly in the hours following surgery. Most patients do not feel up to their usual activities the next day. Plan to take it easy for a few days. The following day you will be contacted to see how you feel and if there are any problems.