Surgery Overview

Our Surgery Locations

The following is a list of instructions to follow before your scheduled surgery. Completion of each of these steps will ensure your safety and properly address any pre-surgical concerns:

Before the Surgery - Contact your insurance company

Call your insurance company to find out if you need a second surgical opinion, referral, or pre-authorization. Please become familiar with the terms and conditions of your insurance policy and what is required for coverage and payment. Contact your insurance company regarding any co-pay or deductible. Plan to bring a check, money order or credit card to pay your deductible or co-pay, if applicable.

Primary care physician appointment

Make an appointment with your primary care physician for a pre-operative history and physical. This is needed to ensure that you are healthy enough for surgery. Please have all required chart notes, lab work, and EKG done prior to surgery, if required.

You will be sent a letter in the mail to take to your primary care doctor. Bring the enclosed letter with you to your visit. Your primary care physician will coordinate any required tests. This appointment must be completed within 30 days prior to surgery, or your surgery may be rescheduled or even cancelled. In addition, please contact us (see below) as soon as possible with the name of your primary care physician, their phone number, and what day your appointment will be with them. If you have any problems making this appointment please contact us ASAP to let us know.

Diagnostic studies

Make certain your X-rays and other diagnostic radiological exams are in our office at least one week prior to your surgery. If they are checked out to you, it is your responsibility to bring them with you the day of your surgery. If you fail to bring them, surgery will likely be cancelled.

Surgical consent

You will be sent a surgical consent in the mail. Please read, sign, and return the surgical consent form in the enclosed prepaid envelope. Any family member or friend can sign as the witness. Be sure all highlighted areas have been signed. The consent needs to be in our office at least one week prior to your surgery. Contact us (see below) if you have any questions or feel the risks versus benefits have not been well explained.

Time off from work

If time off from work is required, make arrangements with your place of employment prior to surgery. Be aware of your employer’s policy in this regard.

Medical supplies

If you are going to require crutches or a walker, arrange to rent them prior to surgery as it will be less expensive than purchasing them from the hospital. Most medical supply offices rent them by the week. Contact your insurance company to determine if they cover the cost of these supplies.

Discontinue NSAIDs

Please discontinue the use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) one week prior to surgery. This includes aspirin, Celebrex, Mobic, ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.

Skin cleansing

Starting three days prior to surgery, cleanse the area where the skin incision will be made with soap and water for five minutes each day. Lightly scrub as to not cause any abrasions on the skin.

Transportation home

Please make arrangements for transportation to and from the Ambulatory Surgery Center. You are not allowed to drive yourself!

You must have an escort bring you to the Ambulatory Surgery Center. They must stay at the Surgery Center while you are having surgery. You will not be able to drive home. Your escort can transport you home or you and your escort can take a taxi or bus.

In addition, please have someone stay with you first 24 hours after surgery.

Confirm surgery date and time

Please call us the first business day before your surgery to confirm your arrival time.In addition, please contact your doctor’s Surgery Scheduler the first business day before your surgery to confirm your arrival time (see below).

Food and drink

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery. This includes water! Nothing should pass your lips after midnight. You may brush your teeth. If you take blood pressure medication, it is OK to take these pills with a small sip of water early in the morning.

Health concerns

If you develop any last-minute health problems (including a cold or flu), please contact us as soon as possible (see below).

Post-operative instructions

Carefully read the post-operative instructions for your specific procedure. These instructions will be sent to you by mail.

Day of Surgery

Plan to arrive one hour prior to your procedure time the day of surgery.

Leave your jewelry and other valuables at home (except for your insurance card and your payment for the co-pay/deductible).