Expectations: Patients
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Patient Directions
When you arrive for your surgery, you'll change into a gown and get into
bed. Questions will be asked about allergies, medical history, and the
procedure you are having. Blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and oxygen
saturation levels are also taken at this time. You'll be asked if you
have eaten, had any liquids or if you have been sick. Please note that
your surgery may be canceled if you have eaten or drank eight hours prior
to surgery, or if you have a cold or an infection. These measures are
important for your safety.
When you are settled in bed an IV is started. An Anesthesia provider will
meet with you to discuss the type of anesthesia for your procedure, and
ask some medical history questions. Then you will sign a consent form
for anesthesia.
Your surgeon will meet with you and obtain your consent for surgery if
this wasn't already done in the office. At this time, the surgical site
will be marked with a marking pen (if applicable).
The operating room nurse will interview you also, asking some of the same
questions about allergies, medical history, and what procedure is to be
done. We understand that this can be annoying, but it is a required part
of our patient safety process. You may be given a medication at this time
called Versed, which helps calm your fears prior to going into surgery .
Prior to entering the operating room, you'll be given a surgical bonnet.
The room itself is kept very cold, around 60 degrees. This is to keep
everything sterile and keep the surgeons cool while they are working under
the hot lights. You are covered in warm blankets at all times.
You'll be transferred to a narrow operating room bed, where a safety belt
is placed across your lap. Monitoring equipment, such as a blood pressure
cuff, pulse oximeter, and EKG leads are then placed on you. Depending
on the type of anesthesia being administered, you may also have an oxygen
mask. The Anesthesia provider administers medicine through your IV to
put you to sleep and may also insert a breathing tube if you are having
General Anesthesia.
You will be placed in the proper position for your surgery after you are
asleep. You'll be kept covered with warm blankets at all times and area
such as knees, heels and elbows are padded with gel pads to prevent injury.
Your surgeon performs the procedure with the assistance of the surgical team.
When your surgery is completed, you'll be woken up by the Anesthesia provider,
moved back to your bed and transferred to the recovery room where nurses
will take your vital signs, and monitor your pain.
You'll be given pain medication, and can have something to eat and drink.
Using the restroom is also encouraged.
Your family or friends can come in to visit after you are awake. Your nurse
will explain what to do when you go home, give you any prescriptions that
are needed, and make follow up appointments if necessary. This information
is printed and given to you, along with the phone number for Outpatient
Surgery if any questions should arise. You'll dress in your own clothes,
and be escorted to your vehicle by a nurse and the person who is going
to drive you home. You cannot drive yourself home after surgery. Once
you are home, please get the rest you need for a full recovery.
Patient's Family Directions
One or two people will be able to enter the pre-op area with you on the
day of your surgery. If the patient is a minor or does not have power
of attorney, a legal guardian is required to accompany them. Other visitors
can remain in the outpatient waiting area.
Once you are taken to the operating room, family and friends will be asked
to wait in the Surgery waiting area. Have your family member let the secretary
know where they will be waiting, so the surgeon knows where to find them
for any updates during the procedure, or when surgery is completed.
The operating room nurse will periodically let your family and friends
know the progress of the surgery, and how you are doing. When the surgery
is over, the surgeon will come out and update your family on the outcome
of the surgery.
Once you have recovered enough to have visitors, the nurse will take family
or friends back to the outpatient area. You may be groggy from anesthesia,
very tired or say things you don't remember later.
Your nurse will make sure you are given all the necessary discharge instructions,
prescriptions and follow up appointments, if needed. The surgeon will
usually come out and talk to you once you are awake. You may not always
remember what the surgeon says due to the anesthesia, so it is important
that family and friends are present so they can tell you later if needed.
When you are fully recovered, a nurse will escort you to your vehicle so
a family member or friend can drive you home.
You may be in some pain, and it is important to fill prescriptions if needed
so that the pain medication is readily available when it is needed.
Forms
Pre-Procedure
Please download and complete this pre-procedure form and bring it with you to your pre-anesthesia testing appointment.
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