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Fax: 224-372-0376

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Before My Surgery

Important Information To Review Prior to Surgery

The guidelines below are not only for your safety, but to prevent delays or cancellations.

Communication Is Key!

At minimum, expect two phone calls prior to your visit to help expedite and create a seamless admission process.

  1. A Pre-Operative nurse will contact you to review your medical history and provide day of surgery arrival time and instructions specific to you.
  2. A financial orientation phone call from our offsite Central Business Office to verify your demographic and insurance information.
    • Depending on your insurance provider, you will be given information regarding payment of any deductible, co-insurance or co-payments.

Food And Drink
The day before your surgery you may eat and drink as you normally would. However, it is required that you DO NOT eat or drink anything after midnight— this includes but is not limited to:

  • Water (even small sips)
  • Coffee
  • Chewing gum, hard candy and breath mints
  • Cough drops or throat sprays

*You may brush your teeth, but please be conscientious to not swallow water or toothpaste.

*Only take the medications that the Pre-Operative nurse instructs you to take on day of surgery with a small sip of water. If you have any new medications or questions please contact the surgery center and speak to a Pre-Operative nurse before doing so.

*Possible Food And Drink Exceptions

  • If you are NOT having sedation for your procedure (straight local only), we encourage you to have a light meal the day of your procedure, such as toast, fruit, or yogurt. It is also extremely important to be well hydrated prior to your procedure by drinking 8-12+ ounces of water.
  • If your procedure is scheduled later 2pm, the nurse may give you special instructions regarding eating and drinking the day of your surgery.
  • If the patient is 8 years old or younger, the nurse may give you special instructions regarding eating and drinking the day of your surgery.

The Pre-Operative nurse will give you instructions accordingly.

Alcohol/Tobacco And Other Related Products
Do not drink alcohol for at least 12 hours before your arrival. It is strongly encouraged to avoid alcohol at all the day prior to surgery, as alcohol causes the body to become dehydrated.

Please refrain from using any form of tobacco products, electronic cigarettes/vaporizers, etc. after midnight prior to surgery.

Notify The Pre-Operative Nurse And Your Surgeon If You:

  • Have an elevated temperature, cough, cold, vomiting or diarrhea, or developed any new skin irritation or rashes between your last visit to the surgeon and the day of your surgery.
  • Are taking antibiotics.
  • Are taking: diet pills, aspirin, ibuprofen, blood thinners, or certain herbal medicines. You may need to stop taking these 1-2 weeks before your surgery. *Please discuss with your prescribing doctor any medications, such as aspirin or blood thinners, to make sure it is safe to stop taking them prior to your procedure.
  • You suspect you may be pregnant.

Appropriate Attire
Wear simple, (minimal buttons, zippers) comfortable clothing that is loose enough to fit over a bulky dressing or cast. Footwear such as flip flops, sandals and dress shoes are unsafe and are not suitable for walking safely after surgery. *Please shower the night before or morning of your scheduled procedure. We ask that you do not apply any lotions, topical medications or wear any type of fragrance or cologne.

Remove The Following Prior To Surgery:

  • Makeup and nail polish
  • All jewelry (this includes wedding rings and body jewelry)
  • Contact lenses (cannot be worn into the operating room)
    • Patients should wear their glasses on the day of their procedure for ease.

Valuables
Please leave your valuables at home. Valuables that are brought back to the clinical area will be given to the appointed family member/escort to hold onto during your visit.

What You Need The Day Of The Surgery:

  • Bring: Insurance cards, photo ID, Medicare or Medical Assistance information, numbers and addresses.
  • Escort: A responsible adult (18 years or older) of your choice MUST stay at the surgery center for the entire duration of your visit.
    • Please inform them of this policy so they can come prepared. (See Waiting Room for more information)
  • Driver: You must plan to have someone drive you home. Do not plan to use taxis or other public transportation.
  • Legal Guardian: A legal guardian must be at the center at all times for children and/or dependent adults.
  • Caregiver: You will need to arrange to have someone with you at home for at least 24 hours after you have been discharged.
  • Care For Children: If you have young children at home for whom you normally care for, plan for someone else to care for them for at least the first 24 hours following your surgery.
    • We apologize for any inconvenience, but for safety reasons all children (who are not patients) must remain in the waiting room.
  • Interpreter: If the patient cannot read or speak English, or requires the use of sign language to communicate, an interpreter will be provided.  If you need assistance arranging for an interpreter, please contact the surgery center 224-372-8210 as soon as possible.