Your surgeon will provide you information prior to the day of your procedure. In addition, a registered nurse will contact you at least two days before your procedure to review the items you will need to do to prepare yourself.

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 we request that you strictly abide by our recommendations. These are based on safety standards and recommendations from our anesthesiologist.

There are different categories of anesthesia: general, regional, monitored anesthesia care and local anesthesia.. Regardless of the anesthesia that you receive, special anesthetic agents and techniques are used to provide a safe and speedy recovery. If there are reasonable choices available to you for your surgery, you will discuss them with your anesthesiologist before the surgery.

You do not need to visit the surgery center before your procedure. However, you may call in advance to schedule a tour of the facility if you would like.

All patients will need an up-to-date medical history and physical form. Some may need blood tests, EKG or x-rays. Your surgeon will advise where you will have this done.

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.

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

You will be instructed by both the anesthesia team and the surgeon as to which medications you must take. You can take medications as directed by the anesthesiologist the morning of surgery with a sip of water. Some medications will be stopped for the surgery, particularly diabetes medication and blood thinners. Please clarify medication instructions prior to discontinuing.

Herbal medications may have harmful effects on surgery. Many of these remedies may effect your clotting mechanism and interfere with the anesthetic agents. We generally request that you stop herbal medications two weeks before surgery. Please remember to include these when asked about medication.

Please notify the surgeon and the surgery center 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, along with loose fitting pants. Wear comfortable shoes. Leave all jewelry at home. If you wear contact lenses, you will probably have to remove them for the surgery, so consider bringing your glasses. If you have to wear your contacts, please bring contact solution and contacts case. Please remove ALL body piercings.

You are welcome to bring someone with you. No more than one person will be allowed to be with you before surgery and may sit with you after the surgery if you so choose. Visitors to the preoperative area and recovery room are at dependent upon your recovery process and your safety.

A minor may often have two parents and/or guardians accompany him or her. Please refrain from bringing young children (siblings, etc.) to the center as guests.

Yes. You can take a shower, bathe, brush your teeth, etc. Please do not use make up, hair spray, lotion, nail polish or toiletries. These may interfere with the intraoperative monitoring and preparation of the surgical site.

If you are not feeling well, please contact your surgeon or the surgery center immediately. We need to know specific details to make the decision.

After surgery, patients will go to the recovery room. Once you are stable and awake, a family member may sit with you in the recovery room if you would like.

Special arrangements are made for children having surgery. Please do not bring siblings to the Surgery Center, if possible.

There is no prescribed time to stay with us after surgery. You will be permitted to go home as soon as discharge criteria are met. The typical recovery room stay ranges from 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Admissions to a hospital from a day surgery center are very rare. Most admissions are for very minor reasons such as nausea or pain control. If there is a medical reason to keep you overnight, you will be transported to the hospital that both you and your surgeon request.

Any patients receiving anesthesia or sedation should not drive until the next day. They must have a responsible adult drive them home. They must also have someone that can stay with them for the first 24 hours after surgery.

Patients will not be allowed to drive, walk, take a taxi, or take public transportation after sedation or anesthesia. Only patients who have procedures performed under local anesthesia alone can drive themselves home unless directed otherwise by their physician.  Please make the appropriate arrangements.