What to Expect

Properly preparing yourself for your procedure or surgery can make your day of surgery far less stressful. Your surgeon has already determined what lab work and/or medical clearances you might need. You will be given a requested arrival time a day or more prior to your surgery.

Upon arrival, you will be registered and then called back to our pre-operative area by a nurse. Your nurse will have you change into a gown and give you a bag for your personal belongings. If you are having sedation, an intravenous line (IV) will be started.

Prior to your surgery, your surgeon, operating room nurse, and anesthesiologist (if applicable) will introduce themselves to you and answer any questions you may have. Often, the anesthesiologist will give you a pre-medication to take the edge off prior to being taken to the operating room for your surgery. At this point, you will be ready to proceed to the operating room for your scheduled procedure or surgery.

Preparing for Surgery

• The day prior to surgery, you should take it easy and eat light! Stay away from greasy, fatty and fried foods. If you are having a colonoscopy, please follow the instructions for your bowel prep exactly as prescribed by your physician.
  
  

Please notify your doctor and nurses immediately if:

• You experience any changes in your health since your most recent visit to your physician; even something minor like a fever, cough or cold.

• You suspect you are pregnant.

• You have a latex allergy, diabetes, heart condition, kidney, liver failure, sleep apnea or previous problems with anesthesia.

Note: Do not take any medications or supplements which thin the blood such as aspirin, baby aspirin, Plavix, Coumadin (warfarin), Excedrin, Vitamin E, or St. John’s Wart, for one week prior to surgery unless advised otherwise by your physician. Eliquis, Xarelto, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) (i.e. Advil, Aleve, Mobic/meloxicam) should be stopped 48 hours prior to your surgery, unless advised otherwise by your physician. If you have taken any of these medications less than specified time prior to surgery, please advise your nurses and doctor immediately. These medications should not be stopped without consulting with your physician.

After Midnight on Your Surgery Day

• Do not smoke after midnight the day of your surgery.

• Do not eat or drink anything (including water, gum, mints, hard candy) after 9pm the day prior to your surgery, unless you are directed otherwise by your surgeon.

  • If your surgery is scheduled for after 12 noon you can have clear liquids (i.e. water, Gatorade) up to six hours prior to your surgery. Please refrain from drinking red fluids (i.e. cranberry juice, red Gatorade) the day prior or of your surgery.

  • Preferably, you should have a light dinner the day prior to your surgery. Refrain from eating heavy, greasy, fatty and fried foods.

  • If you are having a colonoscopy you will likely be given special bowel prep instructions by your gastroenterologist.

• Undigested food in the stomach can cause complications including aspiration of food and gastric contents into your lungs causing a dangerous and potentially fatal pneumonia called aspiration pneumonia. Your surgery may be postponed if you forget to follow these instructions.

Note: Children under two years old and diabetics may have up to 8 oz. of clear liquids (water, sprite, 7UP, apple juice) up to four hours before their scheduled surgery time.

Morning of Surgery Day

• Take a bath or shower and brush your teeth (taking care not to swallow any water).

• Remove all makeup, nail polish, and jewelry. 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. Remember that the surgery center is always kept at a cooler temperature. During surgery, you will wear a patient gown provided by the center.

What to Bring on Your Day of Surgery

• Bring all medical insurance cards. We will need your current and correct information.

• Bring a government issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license. The ID of the primary insured party will be required for minors.

• Bring your form of payment, if applicable.

• Bring a copy of your consent forms and an Advanced Directive if you have one. Your signature will be required in accordance with your procedure.

• If you have asthma or emphysema, bring your inhaler.

• If you take insulin, bring your insulin and syringes.

• If you are having knee, ankle or foot surgery, you may need crutches. Check with your physician for instructions regarding assistive devices.

What Not to Bring to the Surgery Center

• Leave all jewelry, wigs, cash, and valuables at home. We are not responsible for items lost or left behind.

• Please call us if we have not reached you two days prior to surgery to review your medical history, pre-operative instructions and financial arrangements. Please call 818-986-1037 and ask to speak to the pre-op nurse. If you have any other questions about getting ready for your procedure, please feel free to call us.

Note for Pediatric Patients: If you would like to bring your child in for a tour before their procedure, please contact us at 818-986-1037 to set up a time. Frequently, this will help ease anxiety that you and your child may have. Also, feel free to bring a favorite toy or blanket for your child to help them feel more comfortable. Your child will most likely have an IV in place when they wake up from their procedure, which will be removed after they are awake and taking fluids without nausea.

After Surgery

After your procedure, you will be moved to our post anesthesia care unit (PACU) where the anesthesiologist and our recovery room nurses will observe you closely until you are ready for discharge. Your doctor will want to talk with a family member/friend after your surgery, if they choose to remain at the facility. The time in the recovery room will vary depending on the procedure performed and the physician’s instructions, but we typically discharge most patients within one to two hours after their procedure.

Your surgeon will provide post-operative instructions regarding diet, rest, exercise and medications. The center will provide you with a written summary of instructions before you are discharged. We suggest that you pamper yourself for the first 24 hours following your procedure. If you had anesthesia and/or pain medications, arrange for an adult to remain with you at home for at least 24 hours. Since it is normal to feel drowsy after receiving an anesthetic, we also ask that you postpone the following activities for 24 hours after discharge:

• Driving and operating equipment

• Signing important papers

• Making significant decisions

• Drinking alcoholic beverages

Out of Consideration

• Please silent your cell phone and refrain from cell phone conversations while in the waiting room

• Please speak quietly while in the surgery center

• Please keep your feet off the furniture

• Due to limited seating, please bring only one guest with you

• Guests should allow patients to have available seats in the waiting room

• Please refrain from eating in the waiting room. Remember – many patients awaiting surgery have not eaten for 24 hours and seeing or smelling food can be upsetting

• Please understand that to preserve patient privacy we only allow one visitor into the pre-operative/PACU area at a time.

If you have any unexpected problems, please call your doctor. A nurse from the center will attempt to call you the next day to check your progress and discuss any questions you may have.