Surgery Expectations

Surgery Expectations

Our goal is to make your surgical experience as pleasant and easy as possible. Following these guidelines before surgery will help us focus on giving you the best care possible.

Safer Surgery Brochure (PDF, 365KB)

Before Your Visit

You will receive a phone call from our pre-op nurse within 48 hours of your scheduled surgery. Please have a list of all medications you take (including their dosage) and any allergies you have by the phone when we call. During this call, we will discuss which medications you should take on the day of your surgery. Please let us know if you have a pacemaker/defibrillator and if you use a CPAP machine. If we are unable to reach you, please call the Preop Nurse line at 734-593-5803 to leave a message including your name, phone number, and the best time for us to call you back.

For your safety, to avoid delays and reduce surgery complications please follow these important instructions:

Responsible Adult Companion

You will be required to bring a Responsible Adult Companion (RAC) who is over the age of 18 with you the day of surgery. This can be a spouse, family member or friend. This is the person designated to hold your valuables, speak with the surgeon after your procedure and visit you in the Recovery Room. For outpatient surgery, this person will be responsible for driving you home and staying with you after your procedure. Please make arrangements if you have small children, as they are not permitted in the surgery areas

Eating and Drinking Instructions

You may have food up until 8 hours before your surgery and you are encouraged to have clear liquids up until 4 hours before your surgery. Clear liquids include: water, carbonated beverages, Gatorade, black coffee and tea. Milk and orange juice are NOT clear liquids. Do not chew gum, hard candy or chewing tobacco and do not smoke cigarettes after midnight before your surgery. Failing to follow these instructions could result in cancellation of your surgery. Brushing your teeth with a small amount of water and taking your medications is permitted.

Your Health

Please notify your physician if you have a cold, fever, infection, skin rash, or any other kind of open wound before coming in for surgery. Do not shave near your surgical area for 3 days before your procedure as this may irritate your skin, leading to an infection. Please do not smoke at least 12 hours prior to your surgery. If you have been given anti-bacterial wipes by your doctor for use the day before surgery, please use them as instructed.

Leave Valuables at Home

Please leave all jewelry (this includes wedding rings as well as all body piercings), wallet, purse, cell phone at home or with your RAC. Bring a case for contact lenses, glasses, dentures and hearing aids because you will not be allowed to wear them during your surgery. You will give those to your RAC to manage during your surgery.

Day of Surgery

Patients are given an arrival time 1 to 2 hours before their surgery. It is very important that you arrive on time. If you will be late or cannot keep your surgery appointment, please contact us as soon as possible at 734-593-5819. You may call as early as 6 am.

Bring your insurance card and photo ID for registration

On arrival you will check in with the waiting room coordinator. They will take your information and facilitate the registration process.

Soon after registration is completed, you will be called back to the preop area. Please know there are several different surgeons and procedures scheduled in the surgery center, some of which may be medical emergencies. So patients arriving after you may be called ahead of you. Although this is normal, please check with the waiting room personnel if you have been waiting over 10 minutes.

Pre-op

When you are called back to the Preop area the nursing staff will complete your surgical assessment, start an IV line, administer any medications ordered by your surgeon and answer any questions you may have. You will also meet your anesthesiologist to discuss your care and your surgeon will see you to mark the surgical site (if appropriate) and answer any questions. Once the preprocedure assessment is complete, Your family will be allowed to visit with you until you are taken for your surgery.

Surgery

Your surgeon will make every effort to talk to your family regarding your surgery after it is finished. Your RAC should plan to stay in our waiting area during your surgery. If they have to step out, a cell phone number should be left with the waiting room coordinator

Recovery

To reduce noise, limit foot traffic and maintain patient privacy only one visitor per patient is allowed in the Recovery Room. Out of respect for all our patients, switching of visitors will not be allowed. If you are being discharged home, your RAC will receive discharge instructions for your care at home For your safety; this adult must drive you home. If you are being admitted to the hospital, they may sit with you until you are transferred to your room.

At Home For Outpatients

Please do not drive, drink any alcoholic beverages, sign any legal documents, or do anything strenuous after your surgery, until you are instructed to do so by your doctor. It is important that you rest and follow your post-op instructions. You will receive a follow-up call from the surgery staff the next day. If you or your family has any questions prior to our call don't hesitate to call your surgeon. Their number will be on your discharge sheet.

We pride ourselves on maintaining your privacy and providing a safe environment to our patients. If at any time you have questions or concerns, please let us know. Our goal is to provide you with the best care possible.