About Your Surgery

Preparing for Surgery

Your physician has scheduled your surgical procedure at SKCS. The staff has already begun the process to make your visit to the facility as comfortable and stree-free as possible.

Prior to surgery, you will receive a phone call from the pre-admission nurse who will speak with you regarding any previous and existing medical conditions as well as any medications that you are currently taking. You will also be given instructions regarding what time to arrive at the center the day of your surgery.

Before surgery you should follow these important safety rules which are critical to your well-being. If you do not follow these guidelines, your surgery may have to be delayed or canceled.*

• Make arrangements for a responsible adult to drive you home after your procedure.
• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery unless instructed otherwise by a member of the healthcare team.
• You may brush your teeth or rinse your mouth the day of surgery, provided nothing is swallowed.
• Do not smoke or use any tobacco products after midnight the night before your surgery.
• Medications:
  • If you take insulin or routine medications, your physician or anesthesiologist will instruct you how to take your medication the day of surgery.
  • If you take a blood thinner such as Coumadin or aspirin, please inform your surgeon.

Advance Health Care Directives

An Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD) is a document or documents that instruct health care providers about your care should you be unable to make decisions on your own. You can fill out AHCDs before your visit and bring them with you on the day of your surgery. Examples of AHCDs include:

• Advanced Health Care Directives
• Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Decisions
• Do Not Resuscitate Directive (DNR)
• Living Will Declaration

Important: The Center will not recognize a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order contained within a Health Care Directive. We are an outpatient, elective surgical facility. Patients who have surgery at this facility are screened for their health status and the appropriateness of having their surgical procedure performed at this facility. The facility recognizes that medical emergency situations may arise, however, and when these unexpected medical emergency situations occur, the policy of the Center is to use all measures available to sustain and maintain life.

The Day of Surgery

If you are unable to keep your appointment or are delayed, please contact The Center immediately at 888-498-6371. *Our surgeons request that a family member be present during surgery.

• Bring picture I.D. (required)
• All jewelry should be removed prior to surgery. It is best to leave all valuables and jewelry at home or with a family member.
• Bring your health insurance card with you. You may be asked to bring your co-payment, co-insurance or deductible with you.
• Bring any Advance Health Care Directives that you have completed.
• Wear low-heeled shoes and loose, comfortable clothing which is easy to put on and take off.
• Remove make-up, nail polish and contact lenses if you wear them.
• If applicable, bring the following items with you:
  • Your contact lenses or eyeglasses
  • Dentures
  • Hearing aid
  • Crutches or walker

Please register at the front desk upon arrival at The Center.

If you are required to make any financial payment, i.e. co-payment, co-insurance or deductible, on day of surgery, you will be contacted by the business office.

After You Leave

Depending on your procedure, you will be ready to leave the Center 1-2 hours following surgery. You will be given specific discharge instructions from your physician.

For your comfort and safety, we remind you of the following:

• Have someone stay with you for the first 24 hours after surgery.
• Rest until your physician says you can return to your normal routine.
• It is natural to experience some discomfort in the area of operation. You may also experience some drowsiness or dizziness depending on the type of anesthesia you received, or on the amount of pain medication you are taking at home.
• Do not drive, operate heavy machinery or power tools, cook, drink alcoholic beverages, make legal decisions, or take any medications not prescribed by your physician for at least 24 hours after surgery.
• Contact your physician if you feel you are having problems after discharge.

It is very important to remember you must have someone drive you home after the procedure.

Emergencies

Contact your physician if you feel you are having problems after discharge. If you cannot contact your physician but feel your concerns warrant a doctor’s attention, call or go to the nearest emergency room. In case of emergency, please call 911.

Surgery for Children

The Center was designed to accommodate the special needs of our pediatric patients. The Center has highly qualified nursing staff and the anesthesia team has extensive training and experience with children. We welcome you to tour the Center and ask any questions you may have prior to your child’s procedure. We encourage children to bring a favorite toy or blanket with them. A parent or guardian is required to stay with the child during the pre-operative and post-operative processes and must remain in the building during the child’s surgical procedure. Parents of small children should bring childcare items such as diapers, bottles, and extra underclothes. Legal guardians must bring proof of guardianship.