PREPARING FOR SURGERY
Your physician will discuss your operation with you during your office visit, and your surgical appointment will be scheduled at that time. Please be sure to tell your doctor about any existing medical conditions and any medication that you are currently taking.

After your surgery is scheduled, you will receive a phone call from a member of our nursing or anesthesia staff to obtain a basic health history and to review your preoperative instructions. Or you may call us at 209-944-9100 to receive your special instructions. It is very important that you speak with someone from the Center prior to the date of your surgery.

You may hear from a member of our business office staff regarding your insurance coverage and your portion of the bill. They will discuss your copayment, coinsurane, or deductible with you.

If you have had any pre-operative tests or a history and physical preformed within 30 days prior to your surgery, please ask your physician to fax (209-944-9307) or send the reports to us (Attn: Pre-Op Nurse) prior to your arrival.

Before surgery, you should follow these important safety rules, which are critical to your well being. If you do not follow these guidelines, your operation may have to be delayed or cancelled.

• Make arrangements for a responsible adult to remain at the center and drive you home after surgery. Taxi transportation is allowed only for those patients having local anesthesia or if an escort accompanies the patient.
• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery unless your doctor or anesthesiologist instructs otherwise. This includes coffee, foods, liquids, water, candy, gum, and breath mints.
• Do not smoke or use any tobacco products after midnight the night before your surgery.
• Do not drink any alcohol 24 hours before and after your surgery.
• You may brush your teeth and rinse your mouth the day of the surgery, provided nothing is swallowed.
• Medications
  • If you take St. John's Wart or any other diet medication, please tell the surgeon.
  • If you take insulin or any other routine medication, your doctor or anesthesiologist will tell you how to take your medication the day of the surgery.
  • If you take a blood thinner (such as Coumadin, asprin, etc.), please tell the surgeon.
  • You may take your normal heart, blood pressure, breathing, or seizure medication the morning of the surgery with a small sip of water.
    
    

Failure to follow these instructions can cause serious complication.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your care, please discuss them with the nurse or anesthesiologist that calls you for your preoperative interview. Otherwise please feel free to call the Center at 209-944-9100