Pre-Surgery Instructions

Patient Guide


Pre-Surgery Instructions

Pre-Surgery Instructions


Please read the following carefully:

  • The surgery center staff will contact you at least one week prior to your scheduled surgery date.
  • On the day of your pre-operative visit, or on the day of surgery, please bring your insurance card or cards, driver’s license or government issued picture identification, and a list of all medications that you are taking (and/or bring the medications with you). Please also have the name of your physician(s), as well as their address (addresses) and phone numbers. Please bring copies of reports from any recent Blood Work, Chest X-ray or EKG.
  • We will make every effort before your surgery to inform you of your deductible and copay. These will be due on the date of surgery.  The surgery center accepts cash, checks, Discover Card, Visa and MasterCard.
  • During your preoperative assessment we will advise you of your arrival time for surgery; this is usually 1 hour earlier than your scheduled surgery time.
  • If your condition changes before surgery, notify your doctor or Crescent View Surgery Center as soon as possible. This may include catching a cold, exposure to a communicable disease or any other change in health (i.e. fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or respiratory infection).
  • Make arrangements for someone to drive you home after your surgery. You should not use public transportation (buses, taxis, etc.).
  • Do not make any plans following your surgery; you will need to rest the remainder of the day.
  • Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery.  Please check with your physician regarding your usual medications. Anything you eat or drink INCLUDING WATER is dangerous.
  • Wear loose, comfortable clothing and leave all jewelry and valuables at home.  Storage for clothing will be provided, however Crescent View Surgery Center is not responsible for lost or damaged items.
  • Contact lenses cannot be worn in the operating room. Be sure to bring your case to keep them protected during surgery.
  • Any body jewelry must be removed. A piercing on areas of the body other than the surgical site can be replaced with a plastic spacer. However, if it will interfere with the surgical site area, the piercing will have to be removed.
  • Get a good night’s rest!
  • You and your guest may want to bring a sweater or jacket with you on the day of surgery as the waiting room temperature may vary.
  • If additional questions arise, feel free to call the center.

What to Expect the Day of Surgery

  • Wear loose, comfortable clothing and leave all valuables at home.
  • If you have any body jewelry, please remove and replace with plastic spacer.
  • Do not wear makeup, nail polish, hairpins or contact lenses.
  • Arrive at the time instructed by the pre-admission nurse or your doctor’s office, no less than one hour prior to the scheduled time of your surgery.
  • Bring any forms that your physician has given you.
  • Bring your driver’s license or government issued picture identification, insurance cards and money due to satisfy your financial responsibility. We accept checks, VISA, MasterCard and Discover.
  • Your guest should remain in the waiting room in order to receive updates on your surgery. If your guest needs to leave the waiting room, they should advise the front desk.
  • You and your guest should remember that the temperature may vary. Please be prepared with a jacket or sweater.

It is normal for you to feel a little anxious today. That is why we want to let you know what to expect.

Phase I

Pre-op: A pre-op nurse will escort the patient to the pre-op area. The nurse will review the patient’s medical history, record vital signs, and lab work, start an IV, give any pre-op medications and prep the patient, if necessary. Then the Anesthesiologist will interview the patient and prepare him or her for surgery. The entire pre-op phase normally takes 45 minutes to an hour. This can be compared to the patient leaving the room at the hospital to go to surgery. Parents will be allowed to wait with their children.

Phase II

Operating Room: After the patient leaves the pre-op area and the procedure has started, the length of time for the operating phase will vary considerably depending on the procedure being performed. The physician will inform the patient’s guest when the surgery is complete.

Phase III

Recovery: The recovery room nurse will monitor the patient for 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the surgery. The nurse will invite the patient’s guest back to the recovery area once the patient is ready to receive visitors. Guests will be guided to the recovery room at the appropriate time.

Phase IV

Discharge: Once the patient has recovered enough to return home, the recovery nurse will explain the set of instructions that the patient is to follow, including any prescriptions. A nurse will contact the patient within 2-3 days following the surgery to check on him or her.  At Crescent View Surgery Center, our goal is to make every patient and family member as comfortable as possible during a stressful time. We request that patients complete and mail the ‘Patient Satisfaction Survey’ provided to them once they are up to it.