As a new or experienced patient to surgical procedures, you may have some questions about the new facility, your surgeon, or protocol inquiries regarding your particular needs.
The following page contains multiple questions and answers that most patients have during the surgery protocol. Please find your question below and click the small arrow to open the answer. As always, if you do not see your particular concern listed here, or in the overall procedure sections of this site, please contact us via phone or email. We will be happy to help.
You probably have a lot of questions. Learn more here, please scroll down and open any of the FAQ toggles below.
All patients will need an up-to-date medical history and physical form. Some may need blood tests, EKG or x-rays. These services are not available at the Surgery Center. Your surgeon will advise where you will have this done.
Please notify the surgeon and the Doctors Outpatient Surgery Center at 402-480-7222 as early as possible if you cannot make your scheduled appointment. Early notification can help us better accommodate you and other patients.
Please wear comfortable clothing. Button-down shirts or blouses are best. Wear comfortable shoes. Leave all jewelry at home, including body-piercing jewelry. If you wear contact lenses, you will probably have to remove them for the surgery, so please wear your glasses. If you have to wear your contacts, please bring contact solution and contacts case. Please do not wear any make-up as this can hide certain clinical signs. Please remove all body piercings.
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. Failure to follow these instructions may result in cancellation of your procedure.
We generally request that you take your medication before leaving home. Diabetic medications will be individualized. We will usually hold diabetic medicines and manage your sugar at the Center. You should be contacted before your surgery leaving no doubts in your mind as to which medications you should take. Please bring a current list of all your medications with you.
People using inhalers must bring them to the Center on the day of surgery. Some medications will be stopped for the surgery, particularly diabetes medication and blood thinners. You should bring these medications with you the day of surgery. Please call us with any questions you may have.
You are welcome to bring one person with you to the Center. That person will be given updates during your surgery, as well as discharge instructions for your care after surgery.
When a patient is a child often two parents and/or guardians will accompany him or her to the Center. We will do our best to accommodate everyone. Please refrain from bringing young children to the Center as guests.
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.
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. If you need to speak to the anesthesiologist before the day of surgery, you are welcome to call the Center and we will arrange for you speak with an anesthesiologist.
We will make every effort to accommodate any special need you may have. We strongly encourage you to call the Surgery Center in advance so that we can properly prepare to make you comfortable. Do not hesitate to call and suggest anything that may make your day easier.
Please bring any walkers, post-op crutches, hearing aids, etc.
The management of your pain is of great importance to us. We will be assessing your level of pain from the time of admission until you receive our postoperative call at home. We need to inform and prepare you for each step of the process. This education will begin with our first contact. You will be repeatedly asked to rate your pain from a numerical scale called the Visual Analog Pain Scale, or for children, the Faces Pain Scale. Using the results of our communication we will alter the therapy as needed in order to assure your comfort.
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.
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. This has nothing to do with nausea and vomiting after your surgery as some think.
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 safety standards. Please note that the standards have been revised recently. We believe that the fasting time should be as short as possible before your surgery. You will not improve your safety by not eating or drinking longer than necessary; in fact, at times you may complicate things a bit.
Any patient receiving anesthesia should not drive until the next day.
All patients must have a ride home and have a responsible adult to care for them at least the first 24 hours following surgery. Patients will not be allowed to drive, walk or take public transportation home after sedation or anesthesia without a responsible adult. Please make the appropriate arrangements.