GENERAL SURGERY 
INFORMATION
Things to bring with you:
- Insurance cards and/or Referral forms
- Any papers from your surgeon
- All prescriptions medication you are taking
- A parent or legal guardian if you are under 18 years of age
- If you are having orthopedic surgery, bring crutches or a walker if you have them
PREPARING FOR SURGERY
Please follow these steps carefully prior to your surgery to ensure your procedure goes as smoothly as possible.
Contact your surgeon or physician prior to your surgery date if:
You experience any changes in your health between your most recent visit to your physician and the date of your procedure, even minor ones such as temperature, cough or cold.
You suspect that you are pregnant. Anesthesia and medication may be harmful to the developing fetus.
You have a latex allergy.
You take medication on a daily basis, especially blood thinners. Your physician/surgeon may have guidance about which medications you should or should not take on the day of your procedure.
Note: Do not take any medications containing aspirin or ibuprofen for at least one week prior to your surgery or 5 days prior. This includes: Motrin, Advil, Pepto Bismol, Alka Seltzer Cold Plus, Aspergum or supplements.
Prior to surgery
If pre-testing was required all results must be faxed or delivered to Elite Surgery Center before your surgery. Our fax number is (724) 550-4377.
If you have insurance coverage through a managed care provider, please call your primary care physician to determine if a referral/authorization is required. If it is needed, please bring it with you on the day of your scheduled surgery.
Arrange for a responsible adult to accompany you to the Center, receive discharge instructions, drive you home, and stay with you until the morning following your surgery. For your own safety and protection, you will not be allowed to drive home. Taking a taxi or public transportation home by yourself will not be allowed. You must have someone accompany you. The only exception to this is for patients having a local anesthetic only (numbing medicine).
The day before your surgery
Approximately 1 business day prior to your surgery/procedure, you will receive a phone call between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. from nursing staff. Please be prepared to review your health history to include any medications you take. You will be given an arrival time for your procedure along with any additional information required. If you are unavailable, or have not heard from the surgery center, call (724) 550-4211. If it is necessary to leave a message, please indicate a phone number that we will be able to reach you during the indicated hours.
Do not eat after midnight; this includes gum, mints and hard candies.
Do not drink alcoholic beverages or smoke cigarettes this includes smokeless tobacco 24 hours before surgery.
DAY OF SURGERY – WHAT TO EXPECT
The morning of your surgery
Take your medications unless otherwise instructed by your physician or nursing staff. If diabetic, call your physician for special instructions concerning your medication. If you are on insulin, bring it with you to the Center.
Please bathe/shower the morning of your surgery. This will minimize the chance of infection. You may brush your teeth and use mouthwash, but do not chew gum, use breath mints or cough drops.
Refrain from smoking or chewing tobacco before your surgery.
Wear loose and comfortable clothing that can accommodate a bandage, cast, or other type of dressing where the procedure is being performed.
Do not wear contact lenses. Should you need reading glasses to read or sign documents, please bring a case for them.
Arrive at Elite Surgery Center at the specified time. Allow adequate time for travel. If you arrive late, it will cause delays in the surgery schedule for yourself and others.
Leave all jewelry and valuables at home.
What to bring with you on the day of surgery
Bring all insurance cards. It is important for us to have current and correct information.
Bring a photo I.D. such as a driver’s license. Minors do not need photo I.D. but the primary insured party does need theirs.
Bring any papers you have received from your physician.
To ensure the safety, comfort and privacy of our patients, please limit visitors to two. If possible, make arrangements to leave small children at home.
If you are having orthopedic surgery on your leg or foot, bring crutches or a walker if you have them.
Specific Information for Child Patient Responsibilities
A parent/legal guardian must accompany minors and remain at the Surgery Center throughout the visit. Your child may be unsteady after sedation/anesthesia. Please plan to supervise all activities for 24 hours after their surgery. Specific activity limitations will be given to you at discharge.
Parents are permitted to remain with their child up to the time of the procedure/surgery and may rejoin them in the recovery room. Young children may bring a favorite toy/security object, pacifier or bottle/cup for use after their procedure/surgery. Let your child know where you will be waiting, and assure him/her that you will see them after their procedure/surgery is over.
What to Expect
During the pre-admission, a registered nurse will complete a physical assessment and prepare you for your procedure. You will be asked to sign a consent form which verifies that you and your doctor have discussed the surgery to be performed along with any associated risks.
The staff will verify who you are, the type of procedure you are having, and the expected part of the body on which the surgery is being performed.
Depending on the type of surgery you are having, the physician performing your procedure will mark the correct location on your body where the procedure is to be performed.
This is called “site marking” and is a critical step to preventing errors, especially if you are having surgery on one of your arms, legs, hands, fingers, eyes or ears. For example, if you are having a cataract removed from your right eye, the surgeon will make a mark with a surgical marking pen around your right eye. This is to ensure that the correct eye is the one being operated on.
You may also be evaluated by an anesthesiologist in pre-op. They will review your medical history and discuss your anesthetic with you. You will be asked to sign a consent form for the anesthetic. The appropriate anesthetic will be determined by the anesthesiologist in consultation with your surgeon.
You will then be escorted to the surgical/procedural area by the surgical team for your procedure.
After Surgery
After your procedure/surgery you will be taken to the recovery area. You will be under close observation by the recovery room nurses and the anesthesiologist. The length of stay will depend upon the type of surgery and the anesthesia you received.
Upon awakening, you will progressively move to sitting up, drinking clear liquids and discharge. Your family/escort will be able to rejoin you at this time.
If you are uncomfortable, please tell your nurse so that if necessary, medication can be administered.
A nurse will give you instructions detailing what you should do during the days following your procedure/surgery.
You should wait 24 hours before:
- Driving or operating equipment
- Making significant decisions
- Signing important papers
- Drinking alcoholic beverages
- Taking any medication not prescribed or acknowledged by your doctor
When you return home, do not hesitate to contact your surgeon immediately with any questions or difficulties. In case of an emergency, call your physician or go to the nearest emergency room. Important numbers are listed on your discharge information papers.
