What to Expect During Your Visit

What should you DO BEFORE surgery?

If you take blood thinners (i.e. Warfarin/Coumadin, Plavix/Clopidogrel, Xarelto, Pradaxa, Aggrenox, Ticlid/Ticlopidine, Aspirin, etc.), please notify your surgeon so the decision can be made if these medications need to be stopped. Most will need 7 to 10 days prior to the surgery date.
Please have any required lab work or EKG completed 1 week prior to your surgery.
Arrange for an adult to drive you home and someone to check on you after your surgery.
For your own safety and protection, you will not be allowed to drive after surgery when any sedation, nerve block or general anesthetic has been administered.
Please make sure you have a copy of insurance card(s) and a photo ID. Our staff will need to verify and make a copy of the card(s) when you check-in on the day of your surgery.
Follow the EAT or DRINK limitations. Your physician or a surgery center staff member will provide you with instructions for the limitations of food and drink your particular procedure will require. Please follow these instructions including nothing to eat, including gum, mints or cough drops. For your safety, your surgery may be cancelled if you do not follow the required food and drink limitations.
Notify your doctor if you develop any signs of illness or infection prior to the day of surgery.
Your physician or a staff member will provide all patients taking any medications instructions for the medication requirements. Please bring a list of all medications with dosages you are taking.

What you should EXPECT before your surgery?

A pre-admission staff member will contact you prior to your visit. This will ensure that your pre-operative instructions and tests are complete and your financial matters are addressed before surgery.
We understand the anxiety family and friends will have while you are having your procedure. We will make every effort to keep them informed of your progress and when they will be able to re-join you after the procedure.
We realize that time is a precious commodity for you, your family and your surgeon. We are constantly measuring and monitoring our performance and processes to ensure that we do not waste your valuable time. There may be occasions when the physician experiences delays during surgery or at another facility. The staff will keep you and your family informed of any delays.
We will work with your insurance company to expedite your claim for the charges from your procedure. Please remember that your physician, anesthesia and lab fees are separate from the surgery center fees.
We believe that providing consistent high quality care and service requires a constant focus on improving the processes that we use every day. Atlantic Surgery Center continuously learns from and shares with other surgery centers, so that every day we can provide excellent care to you.

We understand that surgery can be an anxious experience for you and your family. Our staff will provide you a warm and caring setting to ease some of your anxiety about the procedure.

What should you DO the day of your surgery?

Plan to arrive promptly at the scheduled time. Your prompt arrival will allow adequate time for all the necessary admission procedures and keep things moving along for other patients and families. Please remember to bring your insurance card.
Leave jewelry and valuables at home. Even though we provide a safe environment, it is in your best interest to leave your valuables at home.
For your comfort we encourage you to wear clothing that is loose fitting and can easily be removed and stored. Please avoid wearing nail polish and cosmetics. Leave contact lenses at home and bring your eyeglasses case with you.
If you are diabetic, please check your blood glucose upon rising. Further instructions may be given for insulin dependent diabetics.
Please use any inhalers or breathing medications on the morning of your surgery and bring your inhaler with you.
Please take medications for blood pressure, thyroid, seizure or reflux with a small amount of water when you first wake up.
Do not Smoke. Smoking may interfere with the healing process or recovery from anesthetics and frequently produces nausea during the recovery period.
Notify your physician if you think you may be pregnant. Anesthesia and medications may be harmful to your developing baby.

What you should EXPECT the DAY OF your surgery?

Our admission process is very quick because we have obtained most of your information at your preadmission phone call and your physician scheduling process. This final check allows us to verify all of your key information, so we can better serve you.
A preoperative nurse will escort you into the pre-operative area. Our nurse will wait for you to change your clothes and store them until you are ready to go home. After you have changed, the nurse will escort you to a surgical stretcher. Family members will not be allowed in this area except in special cases of parents with children or those with special needs.
A nurse will conduct a preoperative assessment that will include taking your vital signs. The nurse will also start an IV for your procedure.
Your anesthesia provider will speak with you in the pre-operative area. The anesthesia provider will explain the procedure you will be having and review all the pre-operative information the nurses have collected.
If you are having surgery on a left or right side of your body, your surgeon will put his mark on the correct site before you are moved into surgery.

What you should EXPECT AFTER your surgery has been performed?

After your surgery is completed, you will be moved to the recovery room where our nurses will monitor your recovery progress. During this time, the anesthesiologist and your surgeon will also check on you.
Your surgeon will inform your family/friends of your status and the outcome of the procedure.
Your recovery care nurse will provide you and your family member post-operative instructions regarding diet, rest, and medications since you may still be sleepy when it is time for you to go home.
After your discharge for questions or concerns, call your surgeon or his/her answering service at the number listed on your discharge paperwork.

We understand that you may be just as concerned or anxious about your recovery period as you were prior to surgery. Below are some of the things you may experience after your surgery.

What should you DO AFTER your surgery?

Follow your post-operative instructions given to you at the surgery center as well as instructions from your physician. Your post-operative instructions are provided to facilitate your recovery process. We encourage you to follow these instructions closely.
For your own safety, do not drink alcoholic beverages for 24 hours after receiving a general anesthetic or while taking oral pain medications.
It is normal to feel drowsy after anesthesia. We recommend that you avoid driving, operating equipment or signing important documents for 24 hours after your surgery.
We will telephone you after you have gone home to make sure you are doing well. If you have any questions or concerns please let our staff member know.
Call 911, your physician, or your emergency response number in case of an emergency. Your post-operative instructions have the physician after hours contact phone numbers for your convenience.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at (386) 239-0021, between the hours 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

THANK YOU for allowing us to care for you during your surgery need. We want you to have an excellent experience at Atlantic Surgery Center, and a speedy recovery. Please speak up if you have questions or concerns about your care that will help us improve our services.