Prepare for your procedure

Preparing for your procedure

A little preparation goes a long way toward a smooth, comfortable day of surgery. Once your procedure is scheduled, our nursing staff will contact you by phone before your surgery date to review your health history, confirm your insurance information and answer your questions.

During that call, please have the following ready:

• Your health insurance information
• The name, address and phone number of your primary care physician
• A list of all current medications, including dosage and frequency
• A list of prior surgical procedures and their approximate dates

Medication instructions

Discuss all of your medications with the preadmission nurse during your phone call. Some medications may need to be stopped before surgery, particularly diabetes medications and blood thinners. Bring these medications with you on the day of surgery, and call us with any questions.

Eating and drinking

You will receive specific fasting instructions before your procedure. If you are told to refrain from eating or drinking, it is to prevent the serious risk of stomach contents entering your windpipe or lungs during surgery. Please follow the fasting times you are given exactly.

Transportation

All patients receiving sedation or anesthesia are required to have a responsible adult present at the facility to drive them home, and someone must remain with you for the first 24 hours after surgery. You will not be able to drive yourself, walk home or use public transportation or rideshare services after anesthesia.

What to bring

• Driver's license or photo ID
• Insurance card
• Any payment the front desk has asked you to bring
• Your current medications, as instructed by your preadmission nurse
• A case for glasses or contact lenses, if you wear them

Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes and easy slip-on shoes. Please leave valuables and jewelry at home, including body piercings, and do not wear makeup.

Insurance and payment

We will submit insurance claims on your behalf and may ask that your deductible and copay amounts be paid on or before your date of surgery. You will receive a notice from us about any amount due. See our Billing & Insurance page for more detail.

Arrival time and paperwork

Your care team will give you an arrival time before your surgery date. Arriving on time allows for check-in, verification of your information and preoperative preparation without feeling rushed. Any remaining paperwork will be completed at check-in.