So you need surgery... now what?

First, your surgeon will determine if the outpatient setting and Ambulatory Surgery Center if appropriate for you. This may depend on your current and other conditions. You may need to obtain cardiac clearance from a heart specialist, or lab work and ECG at our facility. Don't worry, this is easy! We just want to make sure you're safe on surgery day. Then we will find a day that works for you and your schedule.

We try to schedule surgery as soon as possible, most often we are able to do so within two weeks of your visit. For more serious injuries, we can usually expedite your case and get you on the road to healing.

Our business office will make sure your insurance and financial matters are in order and communicated in the meantime. This may entail authorizations for surgery or collection of coinsurances or deductibles. 

Our financial team will help you with any questions, but it is advised to review your insurance policy to understand what to expect. 

We want to make sure you get home safe. After surgery, you will not be able to drive home and you may need some help with basic things such as opening doors. 

We require that you have a responsible party, this can be a friend or family member, to help you after surgery. This person will need to come with you to your surgery. 

During your surgery, your guest can come and go as they please. We do have a TV and WiFi in our comfortable waiting room. So they are free to hang out or get some work done, if they want to. There is also a variety of places to shopping or dine in the area, if they prefer.

We will call your loved one when you're ready to go. They will need to make sure you get home, recover safely for the rest of the day or evening, and contact us if necessary.

You will receive preparatory instructions when you schedule your surgery, which you will want to follow.

During your recovery time, you will likely be unable to bathe as you normally could. We will ask you to bathe the morning of your surgery, and likely require a surgical wash with alcohol or another agent.

 It is imperative that you do not eat or drink anything after midnight on the evening prior to surgery. While it may be tempting, doing so could complicate your anesthesia and airways which could present a real danger to you.

Please clarify whether your medications should be continued or paused, and for how long. 

We ask that you refrain from wearing jewelry, though we will provide you with a locker for items that need to be kept safe. You may choose to leave important items such as your wallet or cell phone with your loved ones, for your own peace of mind.

It is a good idea to keep a copy of your preoperative instructions and review them review them a few days prior to surgery, to avoid rescheduling or complications. 

We ask that you arrive for your surgery on time. We will call you the day prior to confirm your arrival time. This helps to minimize wait times and ensure everyone has a good experience. 

Our Front Office Team Members will greet you and your check-in process will begin. We will review your documents and make sure you understand and agree with the plan.

You will see our team to include your Surgeon, CRNA/Anesthesia Specialist, Nursing Team, and our Surgical and Medical Technologists. 

You will need to change into a surgical gown and wear a cap, this helps us to keep our operating room clean. You will  remove any jewelry, loose articles, and prosthetic devices. We will then bring you into the operating room and make sure you are comfortable. 

We will prepare your area to be operated on with an antiseptic agent and likely begin your sedation and numbing agents at that time. We will continuously monitor you during the surgery to ensure you are safe and keep your pain at bay. 

Before you know it, you will be waking up and going into recovery! We will ensure that your loved ones are informed and ready for you when you are ready for them.

We will review your discharge instructions with you prior to surgery, and again with your loved one before you leave. You will receive a copy of your discharge instructions, which you should refer to if you have questions. 

After surgery, you will probably feel tired. We advise that you do not operate a motor vehicle or machinery, and refrain from making important life or financial decisions.

Use the rest of the evening to rest and let your loved ones help you as much as possible.

Your surgeon may have prescribed pain medication or advised over-the-counter medications to keep potential pain under control. We advise that you follow your surgeon's instructions regarding at-home pain management.

Be careful of your surgical site and do not hesitate to call us with questions and any concern you may have.

Our office hours are 8:00 am until 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. If you need to get in touch after hours, we have and answering service which allows you to connect directly with your surgeon, if necessary. 

Our phone number is (813) 978-9494. Dial 5 to get through to a team member and skip the phone tree.

Even after surgery, we're here for you. You can expect a post-operative appointment with your surgeon around 10 days after your surgery. 

We will likely see you through the next few weeks or months at appropriate intervals suggested by your surgeon. 

Your surgeon will evaluate your healing and concerns, and possibly refer you to physical therapy to regain your normal range of motion.

If you need any assistance with paperwork for documentations and reporting purposes, such as FMLA, please reach out to our office so we can offer assistance. 

You'll be on your way and  to healing and we hope you find recovery in no time at all!