About Your Surgery
Helpful information to know before your surgery
Before your surgery
Please be sure to tell your doctor about any existing medical conditions and any medication that you are currently taking.
You will receive a phone call from a member of our nursing staff 1 to 2 days before your surgery to obtain a basic health history and to review your preoperative instructions.
You will also receive a phone call from a member of our business office staff to verify your demographics and discuss your copayment, coinsurance or deductible if necessary.
Make arrangements for a responsible adult to drive you home after surgery. They can remain at the Center or leave a phone number to be called at pickup time. Taxi transportation is allowed only for those patients having local anesthesia or if accompanied by a responsible adult.
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 alcohol for 24 hours before and after your surgery.
You may brush your teeth or rinse your mouth the day of surgery, provided nothing is swallowed.
Medications
If you take St. John's Wart or any Diet medications, please tell the surgeon.
If you take insulin or any other routine medication, your doctor or anesthesiologist will tell you how to take the medications for the day of the surgery.
If you take a blood thinner (such as Coumadin, aspirin, etc.), please tell the surgeon.
The Pre-Operative nurse will inform you of which medications you should take the morning of surgery.
Failure to follow these instructions can cause serious complication and possibly cancelation in your surgery.
If you have traveled to Africa within 21 days of your procedure or have been exposed to someone who has traveled to Africa within 21 days, please let facility know immediately.
Day of your surgery
All jewelry and piercings must be removed prior to surgery; therefore, it is best to leave all jewelry and other valuables at home or with a family member.
Bring your driver's license or identification card, and health insurance cards or forms with you. Depending on your insurance, you may also be asked to bring your copay, coinsurance, or deductible.
Wear loose clothing that is easy to put on and take off. Avoid garments that pull over your head. Sleeves and legs should be loose enough to fit over bandages if necessary.
If you normally wear contact lenses, we prefer you wear glasses on day of surgery.
Dentures may be removed before surgery.
Shower or bathe before coming in for surgery, but do not shave surgical area.
If you have crutches, leave them in your car because you will be taken out in a wheelchair unless you need instructions on how to use them.
A parent or guardian is required to stay with a minor having surgery until the patient is discharged.
In most cases, depending on your procedure, you will be ready to leave the Center 1-2 hours following completion of your surgery.
After your surgery
Have someone stay with you for the first 24 hours after surgery.
Take it easy until your physician says you can return to your normal routine.
It is natural to experience some discomfort in the area of the operation. You may also experience some drowsiness or dizziness depending on the type of anesthesia you receive, or from the amount of pain medication you are taking at home.
Follow your physician's instructions regarding diet, rest, and medication.
Do not drive or operate heavy machinery, power tools, or make legal decisions at least 24 hours after surgery.
Contact your physician if you feel you are having problems after discharge. If you cannot reach your doctor but feel your concerns warrant a doctor's attention, call 911 or go to the emergency room.
Pain Management Procedure Guide
Before your procedure
You will receive a phone call from our staff, 1 to 2 days prior, with an arrival time for your procedure.
Do not eat or drink 6 hours prior to procedure.
Make sure to bring a current list of medications with the names and dosages.
In order to receive sedation, you will need a driver. Sedated patients may not drive themselves home.
Please bring insurance information and a picture ID, as well as copay, coinsurance, and /or deductible if applicable.
Please contact your physician as some medications will need to be stopped 5-7 days prior to your procedure.
If you have an infection, cold, flu, fever, or are on antibiotics your procedure may be canceled.
If you have ever had MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) or any type of Staphylococcus infection that was problematic, please inform the physician. Further testing may be required.
If you are taking any blood thinners please contact your cardiologist and/or your treating physician to make sure it is safe for you to stop your medication.
Day of your procedure
Wear comfortable clothing for the procedure (i.e. sweat pants, loose clothing, and slip on shoes).
You may take your routine medications before your procedure with a very small amount of water. This includes high blood pressure and heart disease medications (If Diabetic please consult a nurse at the facility for further instructions).
The procedure will last approximately 10-15 minutes.
Sedation is give through IV for nervousness.
You will be discharged 20-30 minutes post procedure.
After your procedure
Apply ice to injection site 20 minutes per hour for the next 48 hours while awake.
Limit your activities for five hours following your procedure. Do not drive a vehicle, operate heavy machinery, or do any activity that requires skill, dexterity or coordination. After five hours, you may resume your normal activity. Avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, bending, or rotation of the spine.
You may shower or bathe as usual.
You may eat or drink whatever you like. If nausea or vomiting occurs, stay with clear liquids until your symptoms subside.
Do not apply heat to your back for the next 3-4 days.
Pain relief may be immediate or may take a few days.
You may resume your medications as you usually do.
Call the doctor immediately for any of the following symptoms: fever, bleeding, severe headache, drainage or redness around the puncture site.
For any questions or concerns, call the Center during normal business hours at 209-944-9100. After hours, on weekends or holidays, contact your private doctor. If you feel you have an urgent problem, phone the emergency room at your local hospital. If you have a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.