As the patient, you are the most important member of the team. Doing the following prep can help your procedure go smoothly.

First, your doctor will instruct you as to what time you are to stop eating and drinking prior to your procedure. If you have questions, please call their office.

Other prep for your success:

• Blood Pressure, heart, seizure, reflux, and thyroid medications should be taken with a “sip” of water the morning of your scheduled procedure.
• If you take other medications, ask your doctor whether you should take them on the day of your procedure.
• For women, if there is any possibility that you are pregnant, please notify your doctor.
• Bathe or shower the morning of your procedure.
• Do not apply lotions, creams, or makeup, and do not wear jewelry, as these may interfere with your procedure.
• Leave all valuables at home, including watches, rings, jewelry and wallets.
• Notify your physician of any change in your health, such as a cold, fever, or sore throat.
• For your safety, please arrange for an adult to drive you home afterward. You will not be allowed to drive yourself home if you had sedation or anesthesia.

We thank you in advance for taking these steps to prepare.

Wear casual, loose-fitting clothing that is easily folded. You will be given a gown to wear during your procedure. To help prevent infection, please bathe or shower that morning and wear freshly laundered apparel. Do not wear cologne or perfume; deodorant is permitted. Do not put on any makeup, creams, or lotions.

The day of your procedure can be stressful, but being prepared will greatly reduce your stress. Please take the following steps to prepare for your procedure:

• Arrive promptly at the scheduled time. This will allow adequate time for all necessary admission procedures.
• Please bring your insurance card(s) and photo ID/driver’s license. If special financial arrangements are necessary, please call us at 541.482.5518 prior to admission.
• Every attempt is made to start procedures as scheduled. If significant delays occur, you will be informed. If procedure times are moved ahead, you may be contacted to come into the center earlier.
• Children must always be attended in the waiting room and are not permitted in restricted areas. This policy is in place for their safety and the safety of our patients.
• Bathe or shower the morning of your procedure, and you may brush your teeth; however, be careful not to swallow any water.
• Arrange for a family member or friend to drive you to and from Ashland Surgery Center. The effects of the anesthesia and the procedure will prohibit you from driving.
• Bring a list of any medications you are currently taking. Check with your physician which medications you may take on the day of the procedure. If you are not sure, please call your physician’s office.
• Do not apply lotions, creams, or makeup, and do not wear jewelry, as these may interfere with your procedure.
• Upon arrival, you will check in with the receptionist and then you can relax in the waiting room until a member of our staff calls for you to move to the pre-operative area. There, you will don a surgical gown and your medical information will be reviewed. If applicable, an anesthetist will speak with you and an IV may be started depending on the type of procedure you are having.
• When your procedure is completed, you will be taken to one of our recovery areas and carefully monitored until you are fully alert. The length of time your family member must wait to see you varies with each patient and procedure.

Thank you for taking all these steps. We look forward to seeing you on your procedure day.

• After your procedure, you will be taken to post-operative recovery and nurses will carefully monitor your status. After examination, your surgeon will decide if you are cleared to go home.
• Before discharge, staff will provide you with post-operative instructions regarding diet, activity, and medication. In the event of any difficulties or complications, call your physician immediately.
• If you have received local anesthesia, you may return to normal activities except those mentioned by your doctor.
• Once home, and in the following days, watch for signs of infection, including: temperature of 101º or greater, hot/tender surgical site, or if there is purulent discharge from the site.

If you received sedation or anesthesia, no matter how well you feel during the first 24 hours following your procedure, do NOT:

• Drive
• Sign important papers
• Make critical decisions
• Drink alcoholic beverages
• Use power tools