For Patients
Before Your Procedure
Prior to your scheduled surgery, your doctor will give you several forms to complete and bring with you on the day of your procedure. In addition, a nurse from our center will call you to interview you regarding your medical history, medications (including over the counter and herbal remedies), to confirm your appointment, as well as to answer any questions you may have.
Please notify the nurse if you take blood thinners or any medication for diabetes so he/she can advise you about taking the medication prior to your surgery. If you are not contacted 24 hours prior to surgery, please call the center at (615) 329-9023.
In general, fasting is required after midnight the night before your visit, therefore do not eat or drink anything (including water) or use any form of tobacco products for 8 hours before your scheduled appointment as such activities may interfere with the anesthetic and can result in nausea during recovery. The nurse obtaining your medical history will go over in detail the exact specifics of when you can eat or drink, depending on the scheduled time of your procedures.
For women who know or suspect they may be pregnant, please notify your physician and the center.
Be sure to make arrangements for someone to take you home following your scheduled procedure. Because of the use of sedation, we require that you be taken home by a friend or family member and not to drive on your own. We cannot discharge a patient via taxi. It is strongly suggested you have someone stay with you for 24 hours following your procedure.
Finally, if you develop a cold, cough, fever or skin infection prior to your procedure, contact your physician immediately. If you cannot reach your physician, contact the center.
If you have any questions regarding these instructions, please call (615) 329-9023.
Day of Procedure
Bathe or shower with an antibacterial soap on the morning of surgery to minimize the chance of infection. Please arrive promptly at the scheduled time to allow adequate time for all necessary admission procedures.
Wear casual, loose-fitting clothing and low-heeled shoes that can be easily removed. Please do not wear jewelry, nail polish and cosmetics. Leave your contact lenses at home or bring your lens case with you. Please wear your glasses if needed for reading and signing paperwork. All valuables, including jewelry and wallets, and other personal items should be left at home.
Upon your arrival, check in with the receptionist to complete any necessary paperwork. Bring your insurance card and driver’s license to the center. To maximize the comfort of all visitors, we suggest that adult patients be accompanied by only one person. Do not smoke immediately before or after receiving anesthesia. Smoking may interfere with the anesthetic and produce nausea during the recovery period.
After you check in, you will be escorted to one of three pre-op beds. Most procedures do not require you to completely disrobe. EKG pads will be placed on your chest so your vital signs can be taken, an IV access will be inserted in your arm, and your eye(s) will be prepped/dilated for your procedure. Your nurse and anesthesia care giver will review your medical record and blood tests, explain what will happen and answer your questions.
You will wait in this area until the operating room is ready for you. Please note that patients may not be taken in order of arrival but taken according to scheduled time. It may not be unusual for a patient who arrives after you to be taken into surgery before you. We make every attempt to stay on schedule and notify you if delays occur. When your surgeon and the operating team are ready for you, you will be taken to the operating room via a stretcher by the Operating Room nurse and anesthetist. She will confirm with you the type of surgery you will be having and review some of the questions you have already been asked. Like a hospital, our operating rooms are equipped to handle many types of surgeries and surgical emergencies. However, that doesn’t mean that all of the equipment you see is related to your surgery. The anesthesia staff will monitor your vital signs throughout your procedure to ensure your comfort.
After Your Surgery
After your surgery, you will be moved to our recovery area. Your vital signs will be monitored by medical personnel until a significant portion of the medication has worn off.
Recovery time varies for each patient depending on the response to anesthesia. Most patients are discharged anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours, depending on the type of procedure and amount of medication used. In most cases, your family member will be waiting for you in the recovery area so they can speak with the doctor and nurse regarding the procedure and discuss discharge instructions, such as rest, diet and medication. At that time, you will be allowed to be taken home.
Because of the use of sedation, we require that you be taken home by a friend or family member and not to drive on your own. We cannot discharge a patient via taxi. For your safety, someone should stay with you for the first 24 hours after surgery. In addition, do not drink alcoholic beverages for 24 hours after receiving an anesthetic.
In the event of any difficulty, call your surgeon or his/her answering service or seek medical attention from the nearest hospital emergency room.
Once you return home, you will receive a follow-up phone call from us to check on how you’re doing after your procedure. Please let us know any concerns or questions you might have at that time as we’ll be happy to assist.
