What will happen when I first arrive at the facility?
When you arrive at the facility, please check-in at the Concierge desk. The admission process is usually very quick as we have obtained most of your information prior to your arrival. The Concierge will direct you and your family to the first available registrar. At registration you will be provided with a "texting notification card". This card allows you to identify the mobile numbers of the people you desire to receive text notifications about your progress during and after your procedure. After registration you will be directed to the Day Surgery area (the same area as your PAT appointment). Final information and surgery preparations will be completed prior to the operating staff transporting you to the OR.
What should I wear?
For your comfort, we encourage you to wear clothing that can be easily removed and stored (snap or zip up tops, sweats). Please do not wear any jewelry, nail polish and cosmetics, and leave contact lenses at home or bring your lens case with you.
What should I do with my clothes and additional belongings?
Your belongings will be safely stored in a bag or given to family members until you are ready to go home. We recommend that you leave all valuables and additional accessories at home.
What happens after I reach the Day Surgery area?
A nurse will conduct a pre-operative assessment that will include taking your vital signs and starting an IV if it is required for your procedure. The anesthesia provider will also speak with you in the pre-operative area to review all pre-operative information and discuss your anesthesia.
What can I do to help ensure that I have the proper procedure on the correct surgical site?
Your safety is our primary concern. Your entire care team will follow rigorous guidelines regarding site identification and procedure confirmation. The Joint Commission has "National Patient Safety Goals" which have been developed for hospitals and require your involvement too. You will be asked numerous times to confirm both the procedure you are having and the surgical site. You should take a very active role in all discussions with your physician, your anesthesia provider and our staff regarding the identification of your procedure and the correct surgical site. In most cases, your surgeon will mark the site prior to your procedure.
What can I do to help prevent a surgical site infection?
- Take a shower the night before and the morning of surgery.
Follow these simple steps:- Wash your hair first with any shampoo.
- Wash all of your body using a liquid antibacterial soap and a clean washcloth for each shower (some procedures may require a specific cleanser – if so this will be provided during your PAT appointment).
- Rinse well to remove all soap.
- Dry your body with a clean towel.
- Do not use lotion, cream or powder.
- Do not shave or clip the area where the surgery will be done.
- On the day of your procedure make sure you, your family and any other caregivers wash hands frequently while at the facility and at home following your surgery. Also, do not hesitate to ask members of your health care team at the facility if they have washed their hands!
- After your procedure make sure you, your family and any other caregivers wash their hands frequently. Also, be sure you follow all instructions provided by your health care team regarding the care and cleaning of your surgical site as well as the administration of post-operative medications and bandages.
Will I see my physician prior to surgery?
Most likely. The nature of most procedures will require that you and your physician confirm both the specific type of procedure you are having as well as the surgical site of that procedure.
How long can my family stay with me prior to my procedure?
This will depend upon a number of factors. However, most of the time we encourage family members to remain until you have been transported to the OR suite. If the wait is expected to be lengthy, family members and friends are encouraged to get something to eat, move to the lobby or even leave the facility – REMEMBER, they will remain informed via text message notification.
What if I think I might be pregnant?
Please be sure to notify your physician, anesthesiologist and nurse prior to the date of surgery if you think you may be pregnant. The surgical procedure, anesthesia and medications may be harmful to a developing baby.
Can I smoke?
No. We advise against smoking on the day of your procedure. Smoking may interfere with the anesthesia and frequently produces nausea during the recovery period. Medical City Las Colinas is a non-smoking facility.
Are there different kinds of sedation or anesthesia?
Yes. There are several different categories of sedation and anesthesia: Conscious Sedation, General, Regional, and Local Anesthesia. No matter the type of sedation or anesthesia that you receive, special anesthetic agents and techniques are used to provide a safe and speedy recovery. If there are alternative choices available for your surgery, your physician or anesthesia provider will discuss them with you before surgery.
Will I receive any sedatives before surgery?
Together, you, your surgeon and your anesthesia provider will develop an anesthetic care plan. This plan may include preoperative sedation and other medications for the prevention of nausea, if necessary.
What are the risks of anesthesia?
All surgical procedures and all anesthetics have risks. These risks are dependent upon many factors, including the type of surgery and your medical condition. Your anesthesiologist will assess you preoperatively and every precaution will be taken to minimize your risk. We routinely see minor symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, sore throat, dizziness, tiredness, headache, muscle aches and pain, most of which are easily treated. Please feel free to discuss any questions with your anesthesia provider.
Will I be billed separately by the anesthesiologist, radiologist and pathologist?
Yes. You will receive a separate bill from your anesthesia provider if anesthesia was administered; a radiologist if x-rays or fluoroscopy is used during your procedure; and a bill from a pathologist is a surgical specimen is taken and sent for analysis.
Why must I refrain from eating and/or drinking prior to surgery?
It is important to refrain from eating and/or drinking prior to surgery in order to prevent the risks of aspirating gastric contents (complication related to vomiting) during your surgery. This complication may be very serious. It is very important that you follow the provided instructions. If you do not, your surgery may be delayed or cancelled.