If you have an upcoming surgery, it is important to prepare prior to your appointment. Depending on your surgery, you may have special preparation required. However, general guidelines are below to help you best prepare for your outpatient surgery.
Before Your Surgery
Before your surgery, there are some important things to remember. One of our nurses will contact you prior to your surgery to review your health history, medications and pre-operative instructions. Please notify your surgeon if there is a change in your physical condition such as cold, fever or respiratory problems. Prior to your appointment, please do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your operation. If you wear dentures/partials, please do not use adhesive so they can be removed prior to surgery. Take extra precautions to ensure children do not eat the night before, if your child is having surgery. Please also refrain from smoking after midnight. If you are taking medication, please:
- Tell your surgeon and nurse if you are on any type of blood thinners or aspirin.
- Do not take any medications after midnight unless instructed by your surgeon or the nurse at our center.
Some procedures may require more preparation. Please follow any other special instructions your surgeon may have given you. Failure to follow these instructions may result in cancellation of your surgery.
Day of Surgery
The day of your surgery, it will be important to have followed all pre-procedure instructions. In addition, you’ll need to please follow additional guidelines. First, please arrange for a responsible adult to accompany you and remain with you the first 24 hours after surgery. Then, please consider the following on your surgery day:
- Bring a photo ID and your insurance card.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing that is large enough to accommodate a bandage after surgery.
- Wear comfortable shoes such as slip-ons.
- Do not wear any jewelry (including body piercings), makeup or cologne.
- Wearing contact lenses is NOT advised.
- Take a shower the morning of your surgery.
Please limit the number of family or friends who come with you to keep our seating and waiting areas open. If your child is having surgery, feel free to bring a favorite stuffed animal or security blanket for added assurance.
Additional information
Female patients may need to give a urine sample for a pregnancy test pre-operatively. If you are driving more than 30 minutes, put one or two pillows in your car so you can elevate the operative extremity during the ride home. If you or your family need the services of a foreign-language or hearing-impaired interpreter, please call to arrange for one at no cost to you prior to the day of surgery.
Indian Lake Surgery Center is an outpatient surgery center in Hendersonville, Tennessee. We specialize in orthopaedic and joint replacement surgeries, with regionally recognized surgeons and staff. For more information, please call 615.265.8038.