We will try to make you and your family as comfortable as possible.
Your privacy is also important to us (not just required by law).

Everyone you meet is going to ask some of the same questions:

• This is necessary to ensure that you have the proper operation by the proper surgeon on the proper side and you don’t receive any medications you may be allergic to.

The Business Office will copy your insurance cards, go over your payment options and have you sign the necessary paperwork and consents. They will also require you to show a valid photo ID (drivers license or Passport) to verify you identity prior to admission.

A member of our nursing staff will then take you to your private room or the family lounge (The change area) where you will be asked to change into a surgical gown.

• Warm Blankets are always provided.
• All patients will have their health history verified.
• All patients will be asked whether they have had anything to eat or drink. It is your life on the line, please tell the truth!
• If you have forgotten to mention any important health issues before your arrival (such as a drug allergy), PLEASE tell your nurse now.

Vital signs are taken and an Intravenous Line will be started.

• We use LOCAL ANESTHETIC before starting any IV line.
• Our nurses and Anesthesia staff are VERY GOOD at starting IV lines!
• Patients under 10 often do not require an IV line prior to surgery:

It will be started after they are asleep (No Needle Pokes beforehand!)

Our nursing staff will then prepare you for the particular surgery you are having:

• This will involve marking the surgical site with a pen.
• Often your surgeon will require the surgical site to be shaved.
• Details about what you may expect to see and feel in surgery and the PACU (recovery room) will be discussed.
• A pain scale to describe your post operative pain will be explained to you.
• Specific details and questions about the surgery itself may need to be discussed directly with your Surgeon.

A member of our Anesthesia Staff (see Our Staff ) will visit you next:

• He will verify your Surgeon, procedure and allergies again.
• Pertinent health history will also be verified (again) and discussed.
• When there is more than one type of Anesthesia reasonable for your surgery, these options will be discussed with you.
• What to expect in the PACU (recovery room) will also be discussed.

Your Surgeon will often talk with you prior to your surgery.

• They will ALWAYS talk with your family AFTER surgery.
• If you have unresolved questions about your surgery please tell your nurse you wish to talk to your surgeon PRIOR to surgery (as well as after).

When You Go To Surgery:

Often your Anesthesia provider will have given you some medication that causes amnesia prior to going to surgery. 

• You may not remember going to surgery afterward BUT you WILL be awake until all monitors are hooked up and working.  This is for your safety.
• Hooking up these monitors and starting the anesthesia typically takes 5 min. or less from your arrival in the operating suite.
• The surgical suites are usually cooler than the change rooms for the operating crew’s comfort.
• You will receive another warmed blanket when you go to surgery.

Immediately After Surgery:

Your Surgeon will meet with the person you designate to discuss:

• How the surgery went
• What was found
• What kind of follow up may be needed etc.

Depending on the type of Surgery and Anesthesia you may:

• Return directly to your change room or (more likely)
• Go to the PACU (recovery room) for 20-45 min. to allow some of the Anesthesia to wear off.
• If you are an ‘Inpatient’, after PACU you will go directly to the IFRC instead of returning to your change room.  Your family may accompany you there.

In the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU or Recovery Room):

• Most patients are still asleep upon arrival.
• Within 5-10 minutes you will be arrousable to your name and location.
• You will have your own nurse standing by your bedside when you awaken
• Fresh Warm Blankets will already be on you when you awaken.
• Pain and anti-nausea medication has already been given to you during surgery.
• TELL YOUR NURSE HOW YOU FEEL!!!
• Your nurse has orders to give you MORE PAIN OR ANTI-NAUSEA MEDICATION as needed as well as making you as comfortable as possible.
• Once you are fairly awake and alert you will be moved back to your change room.  This typically takes 20 – 45 minutes.
• If you plan to stay overnight, you will be discharged directly to the IFRC next door.
• It is not uncommon to have no memory of being in the PACU or the change area. The anesthesia drugs sometimes give amnesia for several hours afterward.

Prior to Discharge:

Back in the Change area (where you were prior to surgery) you will spend from 20 minutes to 4 hours continuing to recuperate from the effects of Anesthesia and Surgery.

• Most patients are still drowsy and will sleep for an hour or two.
• You will have a nurse assigned to you (usually the same one who checked you in) who will know how you did in Surgery and the PACU. 
• She is there to assist you in all aspects of your recovery until you can satisfactorily go home.
• You will have your vital signs taken frequently and will be repeatedly asked how you feel. 
• If you are feeling nauseated, having pain or any other problem, LET THEM KNOW.
• The pain medication given to you during Surgery and in the PACU will start to wear off.

You will be started on the same type of pain pills your Surgeon has prescribed for you to make sure: 

• They control your pain adequately and make sure you don’t have an adverse reaction.
• Instructions will be given to you AND your companion to assure you both understand what you can expect at home and what to do in case problems arise.