Important Information for Surgical Patients
Prior to Surgery
You and your surgeon have decided to proceed with surgery.
No doubt you will have many questions only your doctor or
his assistant can answer. The information provided below is
to be used as a guide; there may be differences in what your
specific surgery requires for preparation.
You will need a physical prior to surgery. Your surgeon’s medical assistant will advise you regarding this. Do not have the physical in anticipation of a surgery date. There is a specific time frame for the physical and any possible laboratory work that needs to be completed. It is possible you will need special tests and x-rays. The assistant will inform you of required tests.
Contact your insurance company to verify your benefits and eligibility. Our office will obtain appropriate authorizations for your procedure but it is your responsibility to make sure you have a current policy and to be familiar with your benefits. Although our office will secure authorization for your procedure, your insurance company will not guarantee payment in advance.. There may also be charges associated with your procedure, such as use of a surgical assistant that might not be covered by your specific policy.
Please inform the medical assistant if you have been diagnosed with diabetes. This is vital information for scheduling your procedure.
There are many medications/herbs/supplements that may interfere with general anesthetic. The medical assistant will request you stop most herbal supplements 2 weeks prior to surgery. Some medication must be stopped prior to surgery and may require your prescribing doctor’s involvement. Do not stop any medication that has been prescribed to you unless your doctor has advised you to do so.
There are many forms to sign prior to surgery. The medical assistant will prepare a packet of information including hospital orders, consent forms and directions. You may be asked to return to the office at a later date to sign forms and review the information in the packet. The assistant will let you know when this packet will be available.
The Day Before Surgery
The surgery schedules change from day to day depending on
procedures, assistants and availability of facility equipment.
It is very possible the time for your surgery will change.
We do our best to accommodate requests but it is not always
possible. There are many factors we cannot control. You will
be contacted by our office the business day before surgery
to inform you of any time changes. If you are not going to
be near your phone for this call, please make sure you speak
with the assistant the day before your surgery (or Friday
if your surgery is on Monday). The assistant will inform you
when to be at the surgical facility and when to stop eating
and drinking.
Crutches are not provided by the hospital or our office. If you will need crutches following surgery, please arrange to have these prior to your surgery day. Many grocery stores will rent them. There are medical supply stores that handle crutches as well.
The Day of Surgery
Remember to have someone available to drive you home after
your surgery. The facility will not let you leave without
a ride home.
You will receive post-operative instructions from the facility upon discharge. You will be advised when to return to the office for further care. If you have questions regarding after-care, please contact our office and speak with the medical assistant for your surgeon.
After Your Surgery
You may have pain following your surgery. It is impossible
to eliminate all pain after a surgical procedure. Your surgeon
has prescribed pain medication to alleviate some of this pain.
However, if you notice an increase or change in pain, a fever,
or excessive bleeding or drainage, please contact the office.
Follow all discharge instructions, keeping your incision clean
and dry.
If you are staying in the hospital, you may be visited by one of our other physicians or the nurse practitioner. They are fully qualified to answer your questions, write orders and follow your care. If you are transferred to a rehabilitation center, a physician on staff at the facility will oversee your care and subsequent discharge from the inpatient facility.
Follow up with your surgeon or the nurse practitioner for staple/stitch removal. You may be prescribed physical therapy at this point.