What To Expect

You will receive a “Pre-Operative” phone call from one of our dedicated and experienced nurses prior to your scheduled surgery date. This call will confirm your surgery and medical history. Please have your medication list available and any allergies you may have.

Contact your surgeon/physician immediately, if any of these conditions apply to you:

• You experience any changes in your health from your most recent visit to your physician to the day of your procedure – even minor ones like a temperature, cough, or a cold.
• You take medications or vitamins on a regular basis, such as herbal supplements, diet pills, aspirin, ibuprofen, blood thinners, or other medications. There may be certain medications you should or should not take prior to your surgery.

If not contacted by 12 pm the day before surgery or Friday for Monday Surgery, please call 724-933-3800

You MAY receive an email or text notification for your health history survey to complete before your phone call.

Make Arrangements:

• Have a responsible adult accompany you to the center and drive you home; you will not be allowed to drive yourself home after surgery.
• Plan for someone, such as a friend, relative, or dedicated caregiver, to stay with you for the first 24 hours following your procedure.
• Make accommodations for childcare if you have young children at home you normally care for.
• Two adults may accompany the patient in the waiting room. However, only one support person may go back to the recovery room.
• If the patient is a child, have someone else drive you and the child home.

Food and Drink:

• DO NOT consume any alcoholic beverages 24 hours before your surgery.
• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery. This includes candy, coffee, mints, or gum. You may however drink apple juice, ginger ale, or water up to 3 hours prior to arrival time. Undigested food in the stomach can cause complications and your surgery is likely to be postponed or canceled.
• Refrain from smoking after midnight.
• No marijuana for 72 hours prior to surgery.
• Bathe or shower the evening before or morning of surgery to minimize the chance of infection.

Leave all jewelry, cash, and valuables at home.

Do not wear make-up, body lotion, or perfume.

Do not wear contact lenses. Wear glasses.

Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and flat slip-on shoes.

Do not wear metal belts, zippers, or buttons.

During surgery, you will be required to wear a patient gown provided by the surgery center.

Take the following medications with just a small sip of water:

• Medication for seizure disorder
• Medication for Reflux
• Pain Medication
• Anxiety Medication
• Thyroid Medication

Take all other medications as directed during your pre-operative call.

DO NOT TAKE DIABETIC MEDICATIONS DAY OF SURGERY (you will be instructed on what to bring with you).

Bring your insurance card and a photo ID.

Bring crutches if applicable.

After your surgery, you will be taken to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU Recovery Unit) where specially trained nurses will monitor you closely until you are ready to go home. The amount of time you stay in the recovery room will vary, depending on the procedure performed and the physician’s instructions, but most patients will typically spend one hour recovering.

You will receive verbal and written post-operative care instructions regarding diet, rest, exercise, and medications before discharge. Please make sure a responsible family member or friend is available to drive you home, where you should plan to rest for the remainder of the day.

If anesthesia and/or pain medications were administered, arrange for an adult to remain with you for at least 24 hours. You could still feel sleepy, slightly dizzy, or nauseated.

The following precautions should also be taken after discharge:

• Do not drive or operate heavy machinery
• Do not make any major or legal decisions
• Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours

Contact your physician for follow-up appointments, as needed, and for any questions or unexpected problems. If there is a medical emergency, dial 911 immediately.

May have a light breakfast.

May drive yourself to and from the Surgery Center.

You will wear a patient gown provided by the surgical center.

You will only hear from the Surgery Center if you are having a surgical procedure such as a Spinal cord stimulator or a procedure requiring anesthesia services. For all other procedures, follow instructions from your doctor’s office regarding arrival time, whether you need to fast for the procedure, which medications you should take, and which ones you should hold. There is a large variety of procedures, and each has its own requirements, so if you aren’t sure of how you should prepare for your procedure, please contact your Pain Specialist. Please wear loose, comfortable clothes on the day of the procedure with no metal zippers, buttons, or belts. Some procedures require you to change into a hospital gown.

All patients are required to have a driver regardless of whether you are having any type of sedation or Anesthesia. Being dropped off or taking public transportation may result in your procedure being canceled or postponed until your driver arrives.

The Surgery Center permits cell phone use in the waiting room ONLY. For the privacy of all our patients, we kindly ask you and your driver to power off your mobile device when in any of the patient care areas.