What to Expect/Understanding the Process

The Surgical Specialty Center of Westchester is dedicated to providing excellence in outpatient ambulatory surgery.

The following information is meant to familiarize you with the surgical process so you know what to expect on the day of your procedure.

Before Your Surgery

Preparing For Your Procedure

All patients are required to have a responsible adult escort with them upon discharge. Please make sure this person is available and that you have their contact number handy on the day of surgery.

The day prior to your procedure, a nurse from the surgery center will call to conduct a quick questionnaire and assessment. During this assessment, you will be asked about any medical condition that you may have as well as a list of medications you are currently taking. Please bring this list with you on the day of surgery. This step is very important. The nurse will also clarify what time you need to arrive at the center and what items you should bring with you and which to leave home.

A representative from our admitting office will call you to review your insurance information, the billing process and payment.

If you have been instructed by your surgeon to see your primary care doctor before the procedure, please arrange for a pre-operative appointment as soon as possible. During this appointment, you may be required to have the following tests performed as the first step in the pre-operative process.

• Lab Work
• X-rays
• EKG
• Physical Exam

Food and Medications Prior to Surgery

You may not eat anything past midnight the day before your procedure UNLESS instructed otherwise by your physician or nurse during your pre-surgical call.

Ophthalmology: You are allowed to drink clear liquids up until 2 hours before your procedure including black coffee, apple juice, water, or clear sodas. This does not include milk in your coffee. You may not eat anything past midnight, UNLESS, your procedure is scheduled past 1 pm. If so, you may have toast before 8 am, and clear liquids up until 2 hours prior to your procedure as described above.

It is very important to take all medications the morning of your procedure, as prescribed by your physician. You may take these meds with a small sip of water. Do not hold any mediations unless advised by your physician.

Anticoagulants, such as aspirin, can affect bleeding on the day of surgery. Please check with your physician prior to surgery about anticoagulants.

Please follow-up with your primary care physician regarding your diabetes medication regime prior to surgery.

On the Day of Your Surgery

Transportation

Free parking is available in the reserved Surgical Center parking spots located to the left entrance of the building. You may also park in the visitor parking lot.

If you need transportation to the surgery center, we would be happy to arrange a car service for you and your escort. Please schedule this transportation through your physician’s office.

It is important to note, that an escort is required for all surgical procedures. A car service does not suffice as an escort.

Arrival

The receptionist will welcome you for your check-in and review the paperwork you signed in your physician’s office.

Once the paperwork is complete, a nurse will escort you to get you ready for your procedure.

A member of our anesthesia team will meet with you (if applicable) and have your vital signs checked by the nurse.

The Procedure

Once the intake process is complete the oprating room nurse will escort you into the procedure room and prepare you for your procedure.

Following the procedure, you will remain in the recovery room where you will be monitored until you are ready for discharge.

Discharge

The nurse will review your discharge instructions with you and answer any questions you may have.

Your escort will be free to bring you home at this point.

A nurse will call you the day after your procedure to check in on you and see how you’re feeling.