Surgical Patient FAQs

Bring your Driver’s License or a recent photo ID and insurance card(s) so we can make a copy of them for your health records. If your surgery requires you to stay overnight, you may bring an overnight bag with your personal necessities – comfortable clothing and toiletries.

Bring crutches, walkers, slings, etc if you need them for your scheduled procedure. If you do not have this equipment, our hospital staff will fit you with the necessary item and the item will be billed to your insurance carrier. If the item is not covered by your insurance, you will be responsible for the cost of the item.

Wear loose fitting clothing that can be easily removed. Please leave jewelry and valuables at home, including any piercings. We are not responsible for lost valuables.

Yes. Be prepared to pay applicable co-pays per your insurance. We verify your insurance benefits and contact you prior to surgery with your co-pay amount. You are responsible for the full payment of your co-pay upon registration. We accept cash, cashier checks, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.

You may have clear liquids up to 4 hours prior your arrival and a light meal may be eaten up to 8 hours prior to your surgery. Essentially, do not eat or drink anything after midnight then night before your surgery, unless otherwise instructed to.

Yes. Take your morning medication with a very small sip of water, unless otherwise instructed by your physician. If you are diabetic, you will be instructed on how to take this medication from the nurse who calls you the night before surgery with your arrival time.

Please stop taking all blood thinning medication 5 days prior to surgery, unless otherwise instructed by your physician. Blood thinning medications including: Aspirin – Motrin, Aleve, Advil, ibuprofen; herbal products – Fish Oil, Vitamin E, and Omegas; Coumadin, Ticlid, Plavix, Arixtra, etc. Prior to surgery, your surgeon consults your prescribing doctor to determine when it’s appropriate to stop your blood thinning medication.

No. You are not able to drive yourself home after the surgery. Please have a responsible adult available to transport you to and from our hospital. Please note: a parent and/or guardian of a minor must remain in the building the entire time the minor is present.

A nurse from our hospital will contact you the day prior to surgery, typically between the hours of 3:00pm and 6:00pm, with your time to report to the hospital. If your surgery is scheduled on a Monday, you will be contacted the Friday before your surgery.

Absolutely. A comfortable pullout sofa is available in each patient room if a spouse or family member would like to stay the night with you following a surgery.

Notify your physician if you develop severe cough or flu-like symptoms in the days prior to your surgery. We may need to postpone your surgery.