Pre-Admission Information:

You will need to make an appointment at Texas Surgical Center for registration and pre-admittance. Be sure to bring your insurance information and a photo ID to your appointment. A deposit is required by the day of surgery, which represents that portion of the facility charge not reimbursed by your insurance company. Personal checks, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover are accepted. If special arrangements are necessary, please speak with the office staff prior to admission.

A Nurse will assess your medical history and take your vital signs during your pre-admission work-up. Be sure to bring your routine medication information when you come. Your doctor may order laboratory tests, your blood will be drawn at the facility while you are here during pre-admission and if your doctor has ordered an EKG it will be performed at the facility as well.

Please do not hesitate to ask any questions, and be sure to inform the staff of any special needs. If you have braces or crutches you have been using, bring them to the center on the day of your surgery.

Before You Arrive:

• Do not eat or drink anything 8 hours prior to your surgery. Plastic surgery patients should not have anything to eat or drink after midnight, the night before their surgery. This also applies if you are having a local anesthesia. Food in the stomach can cause serious complications and your surgery could be cancelled or postponed if you do not comply. If your child is the patient please be careful to enforce this.
• Take all routine morning medications with only a sip of water, unless instructed otherwise by your doctor.

Do not take:

• Aspirin or NSAIDS (i.e. Advil, Motrin) for 14 days before surgery. Notify your physicians of you are taking prescription blood thinners.
• Herbal supplements for 14 days before surgery.
• Oral hypoglycemic medications the day of surgery, unless instructed to do so by your doctor.
• Morning insulin the day of surgery, unless instructed to do so by your doctor.

Call your surgeon if you develop a cold, fever, or respiratory problems before your surgery. If there is a possibility that you are pregnant, please notify your surgeon prior to surgery.

For your Safety, you must arrange for someone to drive you here and home after surgery. That person must stay until you are discharged. For your safety, our policy does not allow us to discharge you unless you have a responsible adult to drive you home. You cannot drive yourself home and you cannot take a cab. If your child is required by law to sit in a car seat, please be sure it is in your car when you arrive. The child will only be discharged if the car seat is used.

Day of Surgery:

• Bathe or shower the morning of your surgery to minimize the chances of infection. If your doctor has prescribed an antiseptic wash, use it as directed.
• Women should remove all make-up and nail polish.
• Leave all valuables at home, including jewelry and wallet. Remove all pierced jewelry from your body before coming to the surgery center.
• Contact lenses cannot be worn during surgery. Please wear your glasses or bring a case for your contact lenses.
• Wear loose, casual clothing and low-heeled shoes. Tight fitting pants are particularly uncomfortable after certain surgeries. Shirts should have sleeves that are easily drawn up above the elbow and shorts or very loose pants if you are having surgery below the waist.
• Arrive one hour before your scheduled surgery time. This will allow adequate time for all necessary admission procedures.
• Asthma patients need to bring their inhaler with them.
• If your child is having surgery, feel free to bring a favorite stuffed animal or security blanket for added reassurance. Don't forget to bring their bottle or sippy cup for them to have a drink after the surgery.
• Do not smoke immediately before or after receiving an anesthetic. Smoking may interfere with anesthetic and frequently produces nausea during the recovery period.
• You will meet your anesthesiologist/CRNA prior to surgery. If you have any questions about your anesthesia, please feel free to discuss them with your anesthesiologist/CRNA.

Recovery Period:

After your surgery, you will be moved to our fully equipped recovery room and monitored by our anesthesia staff until you are ready to go home. Although the length of recovery varies, most patients are discharged 30 minutes to one hour after surgery.

At Home After Surgery:

• Your surgeon will provide specific postoperative instructions regarding diet, rest, and medications. If you have difficulties, call your surgeon or his answering service.
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages 24 hours after receiving general anesthesia or pain medication.
• Plan to have someone at home with you for 24 hours after your procedure.

The Texas Surgical Center provides care to all patients regardless of race, creed, or socioeconomic status.