Preparing for Surgery

HealthEast Surgery Centers' highly skilled surgeons, nurses and technicians are trained in the latest surgical techniques and have experience caring for patients of all ages. Anesthesthiologists and anesthetists maintain the safest and most current methods of delivering anesthesia during surgery.

Scheduling

Surgical procedures are scheduled by your surgeon's office.

Kids and surgery

Surgery can be scary for kids and their parents. To lessen stress and answer questions, kids who will be undergoing surgery are encouraged to tour the surgery center with their parents. One parent may also accompany the child into the operating room until he or she is sedated.

Getting ready for surgery

Write down a list of all the medicines you take, the strength and how often you take them. Include birth control, aspirin or medicines with aspirin, medicines not needing a prescription, vitamins, herbals, diet pills and supplements.
With your doctor, discuss all the medicines you are taking, especially those for diabetes, high blood pressure, blood thinners or heart problems.

Most medicines are not changed before surgery and will be taken as usual. Ask your doctor for your exact instructions about when to take, stop or change any medicines before surgery.
You will need a physical exam before your surgery. You will need to make an appointment within seven (7) days of your planned surgery.
Please ask your doctor to fax a copy of the physical exam, lab test results and EKG to our facility. Ask for extra copies to bring
with you to the surgery facility.
If you are going home the same day of surgery, you must arrange for someone to:
- Listen to your surgeon’s instructions.
- Take you home. Your surgery will be cancelled if you have anesthesia medicine and do not have a ride.
- Stay with you for 24 hours after surgery
To avoid your surgery being cancelled, take out all body piercings out before you arrive for surgery.

One (1) to five (5) days before surgery, you will receive at least two (2) phone calls from HealthEast:

1. To register you for surgery. You will be asked about your health insurance, health care directives, living will and durable power of attorney for health care. If you have any of these, please bring a copy with you.

2. To speak with a nurse about your health history, allergies, special surgery instructions, directions to the surgery facility and arrival time.

If you child is having surgery, ask about special feedinginstructions. This is also a good time to tell the nurse if you have any special needs. Please call the surgery facility if a nurse has not contacted you by the last business day before your surgery. Our regular business hours are Monday through Friday, 7 am to 3:30 pm.