• What to Expect

The Day of  Your Surgery

• Bring your insurance cards
• Bring photo I.D.
• Leave all valuables at home; including jewelry, watches and money (If you have a co-pay due at your visit, please bring that with you.)
• Do not wear contact lenses or make-up
• If you are taking any medication, please bring a list of all medications, including dosage with you to the center.

Please plan on arriving promptly at your scheduled time; this will be given to you the day before your surgery. Plan on being at the center for a minimum of three hours. A staff member will bring you to a private dressing area where you will put a surgical gown, hat and booties over your street clothes. Your personal belongings will be put into a small locker in your presence and you will be given the key on a wristband. Please make sure whatever possessions you bring with you can fit in a small locker.  No cell phone will be allowed in the surgical area. Your nurse will ask you many of the same questions that you were asked during your check-in process; please understand that this is done for your safety.

• Pre-operative

You will be taken into the pre-operative area and seated in a reclining chair.  A blood pressure cuff will be placed on your arm (if you have any precautions related to blood pressure or venipuncture please inform the staff). A pulse oximeter and cardiac leads will be used to monitor your oxygen, breathing and heart rate.

• Anesthesia

Anesthesia services are provided by an independent, highly trained and qualified anesthesiology group, specializing in outpatient surgery. Your anesthesiologist will evaluate you before surgery and answer any questions you may have. Please make sure you tell your anesthesiologist about any medications you are taking, including supplements, vitamins and over-the-counter medications. In most cases, you will be given MAC (Monitored Anesthesia Care) sedation and a local anesthetic; allowing you to relax while in a conscious state. Patients typically do not feel anything or see anything during surgery.

• Surgery

Once in the OR suite you will be transferred to a bed and connected to the same monitors as you were in the pre-operative area. Your anesthesiologist will make sure you are comfortable prior to the start of surgery.

• Post-operative

Once your surgery is complete your will be brought to the post-operative area. There a nurse will check your vital signs. You will be giving nourishment  and made comfortable.  Your nurse will give you your verbal and written post-operative instructions and any prescriptions ordered by your surgeon.  Once you are in stable condition you will be discharged to a responsible adult. Please communicate with the nurse if you have any special concerns.

For your safety you must have a responsible adult drive you home after surgery. You will not be permitted to leave the center without an escort. You may not drive for 24 hours after your surgery.

• Once Home

We recommend that you rest once you get home and have a responsible adult with you through the night. You may watch T.V. or read. Dizziness and nausea are sometimes experienced after surgery, therefore:

• Do not drive or operate equipment 
• Do not make legal decisions or sign legal documents
• Do not drink alcohol
• Do not take any medication not prescribed or recommended by your surgeon or primary care physician

*Retinal patients may be required to maintain a special postural position.

Make sure that you keep your post-op appointment.