Questions About Your Procedure

If you have general questions about your surgery, you may find the following answers to frequently asked questions helpful. Please contact the surgery center or your doctor if you have additional questions.

Q. How long can my family stay with me before surgery?

A. Your family may stay with you in the waiting area until the nurse brings you to the preoperative area, where you will be prepared for surgery.

Q. What should I wear?

A. Please wear loose-fitting clothes and slip-on shoes that are easy to put on and remove. Shoulder surgery patients should have an over-sized button-up or zip-up shirt that will comfortably fit over a sling.

Also, please shower, wash your hair and brush your teeth (without swallowing any water) on the morning of surgery.

Q. What should I bring with me?

A. Bring all insurance cards, any co-payments or deductibles, and your list of medications. Also, if you are a legal guardian or conservator of a patient, please bring all legal paperwork with you, including the Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare.

If you wear glasses or contacts, please bring a glass case or contact lens case with solution.

Q. Do I take my usual medications the day of my procedure?

A. This depends on the medication. Please call your doctor or call the surgery center for instructions.

Q. Do I need to bring my medications with me?

A. You do not need to bring your medicines from home except for any inhalers or insulin that you may require. Make sure that these medications have not expired. Please bring a complete list of all your prescription and over-the-counter medicines (vitamins, aspirin or herbal remedies) including the dosage of each one and how often you take them.

Q. Can I eat and drink before my procedure?

A. If you are having general anesthesia, do not eat or drink anything, including gum, candy or mints, after 12 midnight the night before your surgery, unless otherwise instructed.

If you are having conscious sedation for a procedure, you may eat and drink up to six hours before your scheduled arrival.

Because food and liquids in your stomach can cause serious complications, if you do not follow these instructions, your procedure may be cancelled or delayed.

Q. Does my ride need to stay?

A. Parents of children under the age of 18, legal guardians/custodians or translators of non-English speaking patients will need to remain in the facility at all times until the patient is discharged.

Q. Can I drive myself home or ride home in a taxi?

A. Because your reflexes and thought processes are affected by anesthesia and sedation, you must have a responsible adult drive you home from your procedure. You may ride home in a taxi only if you are accompanied by a responsible adult.

Q. What will I need to pay when I come in?

A. We bill most insurance for you; however, you will receive a call from the business office advising you of any copayments and deductibles that you will be required to pay the day of your procedure. If you are not available by phone, or have requested not to receive a phone call, please call us one or two days before your procedure to obtain this information.

Q. Can I leave my jewelry on?

A. No. Please remove all jewelry, including body-piercing jewelry, at home before you arrive at the surgery center. Also remove rubber bands or hair clips with any metal on them.

Q. Will you call me after my procedure?

A. Yes. We will call you after you return home to check your progress and answer any questions you may have following your surgery. If we are unable to reach you during business hours, please call and leave us a message on our voicemail to let us know how you are doing.

Q. Why do I need to be at the surgery center so early?

A. An early arrival allows sufficient time for you to be properly checked in and prepared for your procedure.

Q. What can I eat after surgery?

A. If you have had general anesthesia, it is best to start with clear liquids, such as 7Up, Sprite, juice or Jell-O. You may increase your diet as tolerated if you are not nauseated. It is best not to eat anything spicy, greasy, fatty or fried on the day of surgery.

Q. What should I do if I am on my menstrual cycle?

A. If you are on your menstrual cycle, please wear a sanitary napkin instead of a tampon. Please notify us if there is any chance you might be pregnant.