Before you come in for your surgery, be sure to read through the instructions below. Following these instructions — and those provided by your physician — will help ensure your procedure goes as smoothly as possible.

• The night before surgery, do not eat or drink anything after midnight. This includes water, coffee, candy, mints and chewing gum. Undigested food in the stomach can cause complications, and your surgery is likely to be postponed or cancelled if you forget to follow these instructions. You may brush your teeth, but do not swallow any water.
• If you take medication, please speak with our preoperative screening nurse to find out which medications to take (or follow your surgeon's instructions). Take medicines in the morning as instructed by your screening nurse or surgeon with a small sip of water.
• If taking any diet medications (weight loss drugs), you must be off of them for 14 calendar days before any procedure.
• If you have sleep apnea, bring your CPAP machine with you to the surgery center. You may need to use it in the recovery room.
• Please arrange for an adult to accompany you to your surgery, drive you home and stay with you for the first night. No patient is allowed to drive themselves home from the surgery center or be at home by themselves the first day.
• Bathe or shower before coming in for your surgery. This will minimize the chance of infection. Clean clothes should be worn. Do not use any body lotions or powders the day of surgery.
• Remove all makeup, contact lenses and jewelry (including body piercings) and leave all valuables at home. We suggest wearing loose, comfortable clothing.
• To protect the comfort and privacy of all patients, we suggest that adult patients be accompanied by only one person.
• If you experience any health changes between your most recent visit to your physician and the day of your procedure, notify your physician. Please report even minor changes, such as elevated temperature, a cough or cold.
• If you suspect you are pregnant, please notify your surgeon. Anesthesia may be harmful to the developing fetus.
• Bring insurance cards and photo identification (such as a driver's license) with you on the day of surgery along with required payment in the form of cash, check or credit card.

Day of surgery

On the day of your procedure, you should arrive at your scheduled appointment time. You will be asked to sign an informed consent form. If the patient is a minor, this form must be signed by a parent or legal guardian (proof of guardianship required).

There will be numerous forms to sign and fill out regarding your health history. Please bring any paperwork completed in your physician's office that you have been asked to bring with you to the surgery center.

To protect your privacy and the privacy of other patients, only two people will be allowed in the treatment area at a time. The only people who will be allowed in the treatment area are the ones you list on your consent form. If clergy come in to see you, they will be allowed back with your permission.

After surgery

After your procedure, you will be moved to our recovery area where you will remain under close observation until you are ready to go home. Most patients are discharged one to two hours after their procedure.

Your physician will provide post-procedure instructions regarding diet, rest, exercise and medications. Since it is normal to feel drowsy after receiving an anesthetic, we also recommend that you not do the following for 24 hours after discharge:

• Drink alcoholic beverages
• Drive or operate equipment
• Make significant decisions
• Sign important papers

Assistive devices

Please be aware that we do not provide crutches, walkers, wheelchairs or other ambulation devices. You need to arrange to purchase them before you come in for surgery. The staff at your physician's office can usually recommend where to purchase or lease these devices.

Financial information

All co-pays, deductibles and coinsurance are due at the time of admission as determined by your insurance benefits. Cosmetic procedures and self-pay accounts require full payment at the time of admission. If special payment arrangements are necessary, please call our Central Billing Office before the day of surgery. You can reach our Central Billing Office Monday through Friday between 8:00am and 5:00pm at (904) 737-9818.

We accept cash, checks, money orders, MasterCard, Visa and Discover.