Please notify the surgeon and the Center as early as possible if you cannot make your scheduled appointment. Early notification can help us better accommodate you and other patients.

All patients will be seen by the anesthesiologist on the day of surgery prior to entering the operating room. Sufficient time should be spent to answer any questions you may have.

Yes, in certain situations. Some operations can be performed using a choice of different anesthetic types. Your anesthesiologist will discuss available options with you after reviewing your medical history. Your preference will be discussed so that the most appropriate anesthetic plan is made.

You and your anesthesiologist will develop an anesthetic care plan.

All operations and all anesthetics have risks and they are dependent upon many factors including the type of surgery and the medical condition of the patient. Most patients operated on in surgery centers are of the healthier group of patients, and in these circumstances serious complications, while they can occur, are fortunately very rare.

You refrain from eating and/or drinking prior to surgery in order to prevent the risks of aspirating gastric contents during your surgery. This complication is very serious, and you need to strictly abide by our recommendations.

We have very clear policies as to specific times before surgery when you must refrain from eating and/or drinking. These are all based on current safety standards.

Medication instructions are individualized based on patient needs.  Preadmission staff will review your medications and give instructions. You will be contacted before your surgery, leaving no doubts in your mind as to which medications you should take. Please bring all your medications with you.

If you use an inhaler, please bring to the Center on the day of surgery.

Herbal medications may have harmful effects on the surgery. Many of these remedies may affect your clotting mechanism and interfere with the anesthetic agents. (The list of drugs and their side effects are too great for this site.) We generally request that you stop these medications two weeks before surgery. Please remember to mention these remedies when being asked about medication.

You are welcome to bring one person with you to the Center. That person will be allowed to be in your room with you before surgery and may sit with you after the surgery if you so choose. When a patient is a child often two parents and/or guardians may accompany him or her to the Center. Please refrain from bringing young children to the Center.

Yes. We call each patient before the surgery to gather information and to helpful to us and hopefully answer any of your questions. Preoperative instructions will be given by the nurse who calls you. You can also call the Center directly with any questions.

This will not affect most surgical procedures. Call us if you have any questions.

It is very important for us to be aware of this possibility. Only essential surgery is done on pregnant patients. If there is any doubt please contact us immediately.

We will make every effort to accommodate any special need you may have. Please notify the Preadmission Staff of any needs so that we can properly prepare to make you comfortable.

Yes. Please bring any walkers, hearing aids, etc.  Please be sure to bring hearing aid container and contact supplies if applicable.

The management of your pain will be taken very seriously. We will often use a combination of different modalities to help make you comfortable, choosing from oral medications, intravenous medications, nerve blocks, injection of local anesthetic during the surgery, etc. and prior to the surgery, the management of your pain should be discussed with both your anesthesiologist and surgeon. Please feel free to bring up any concerns or fears you may have. Remember that information on pain management gives you the appropriate expectations and hence a smoother, more comfortable recovery.

Any patient receiving anesthesia should not drive until the next day. A patient receiving sedation for a procedure needs a ride home.

All patients must have a ride home and be received by a responsible adult when they arrive home. Patients will not be allowed to drive, walk or take public transportation home after sedation or anesthesia. Please make the appropriate arrangements.