Patient Information

Before the surgery:

Please read the pre-operative instructions on this page as well as those provided by your surgeon and follow them carefully:

If you experience any changes in your health between the times of your last office visit and your scheduled surgery, please notify your physician. Examples of changes in health include a cold, cough or fever.

In regards to insurance and payment, verification of insurance coverage and payment arrangements must be taken care of a week before your scheduled surgery, unless otherwise discussed with the center’s patient accounts administrator. (For more information see "Insurance and Payment" page)

Diet instructions before your surgery:

• Typically, you should not eat or drink anything after midnight the evening before your surgery (depending on the type of procedure you will be undergoing).

• Your physician may give you other, more detailed instructions. Please follow these instructions closely.

• If you have any questions about dietary instructions, please call the surgeon with whom your surgery is scheduled. If your dietary instructions are not followed, your surgery may need to be rescheduled.

Day of Surgery:

What to Bring:

• Bring any written orders or instructions from your surgeon.

• Bring an accurate, descriptive list of any medications you have been on or are currently taking, including prescriptions, herbal medications and diet drugs.

• If you wear contacts, please remove them. Please wear your glasses and bring a case to put them in.

• Bring a friend or relative to drive you home.

Please Remember:

• Stop taking herbal medications and diet drugs at least one week prior to surgery.

• Be sure to discuss with your surgeon your medications and when to stop taking them before your surgery.

• Leave all jewelry and valuables at home.

• Do not apply any make-up, cologne or perfume the day of your surgery.

• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing

When you arrive at the Center, please check in at the reception desk. Our patient communications coordinator will ask for your signature on the necessary forms. Your surgeon will update your family on your progress immediately after surgery is finished.

Next, your nurse will escort you to the waiting area where preparation for your procedure will occur. Once in the room, a brief health history will be taken, as well as your vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, pulse oximeter, and breathing rate). Any questions for the nurse or surgeon may be answered at this time. Your nurse will then escort you to the changing room where you will be asked to change into a gown, surgical cap, and surgical booties. Your nurse will then escort you to the operating room. Once you are in the operating room, you will receive your anesthetic and your procedure will begin. The amount of time spent in surgery is dependent upon your type of procedure.

Your family and friends are a very important part of your care. For this reason, we ask them to remain within or near the lobby. If for any reason they need to leave the building, they should notify personnel at the front reception desk.

After your surgery you will be escorted to the recovery room by your nurse. You will be observed by the nurse while the effects of your anesthetic diminish. You will spend approximately 30-60 minutes in recovery. Once you are feeling more alert, your nurse will review discharge instructions with you and your family member or friend. When your surgeon has determined you are ready to go home, you will be safely escorted by a nurse and your friend or family member to your vehicle. If you have any additional questions or concerns, feel free to contact your surgeon or the center.

After the surgery:

Be sure to schedule a postoperative follow-up appointment with your surgeon.

Once you return home, it is very important that you follow the directions indicated on the Soma Surgery Center’s "Post-op Instructions" sheet, as well as any additional instructions provided by your surgeon. If you have any questions regarding these instructions, please contact your surgeon directly.

If you have given us permission, we will attempt to contact you by phone within 24 to 72 hours after your surgery to see how you are feeling and to address any of your questions or concerns. We want to make sure that your recovery progresses well and that you are completely satisfied with our services. If we are unable to reach you by phone, please do not hesitate to call us if you have comments or suggestions about your care at Soma Surgery Center. A Patient Satisfaction Survey is included with the postoperative instructions we send home with you when you leave Soma Surgery Center. We sincerely value your input and appreciate any feedback that will allow us to improve our services.