What to Expect

Please read these instructions carefully. If you do not follow these instructions, we may have to cancel your surgery.

1. We will call you the day before surgery to tell you what time to arrive at the surgery center. If your surgery is Monday, we will call you Friday. If we have not called you by 2 pm the day before surgery (or Friday for Monday), please call us the OSMC Surgery Center at (574) 266-4173.
2. If you are to receive sedation or general anesthesia, you must fast. Do not eat or drink after 12 am (midnight) the day of your surgery. Do not drink water, chew gum, eat mints, or suck on lozenges. If you will be receiving local anesthesia only, you can eat and drink as you normally would.
3. If you will be receiving sedation, you must bring a reliable adult (18 years or older) with you the day of surgery. This adult should stay at the facility during your surgery. This adult must drive you home after surgery and stay with you for four (4) hours.
4. If you will be receiving general anesthesia, you must bring a reliable adult (18 years or older) with you the day of surgery. This adult should stay at the facility during your surgery. This adult must drive you home after surgery and stay with you for twenty-four (24) hours.
5. After surgery, you may feel sleepy. The drugs can stay in your body for up to 24 hours. Do not drive a car, operate equipment, or drink alcohol for 24 hours after surgery. Do not make important decisions or sign legal documents until you recover.
6. A parent or legal guardian must come to the surgery center and stay with every patient younger than 18 years old.
7. If you smoke, try to quit right away. If you cannot quit, try to stop smoking as long as possible before and after surgery.
8. If you take insulin for diabetes, ask your primary doctor how much insulin to take the day of surgery. Take insulin as per your primary doctor’s orders. If your primary doctor does not give insulin orders, take half ( ½ ) your normal insulin dose the day of surgery.
9. If you use an inhaler, use it the night before and morning of surgery. Bring your inhaler with you the day of surgery.
10. Stop taking anti-inflammatory drugs seven (7) days before surgery. Some common names for these drugs are ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, Advil, Aleve, Excedrin, Bufferin, Motrin, Daypro, Naprosyn, Mobic, and Vimovo. Do not stop taking Celebrex. Do not stop taking aspirin if you take less than 325 milligrams (mg) every day.
11. Do not take any supplements, vitamins, or herbals 2 weeks prior to surgery.
12. Stop shaving or waxing your lower extremities 1 (one) week before surgery to assist in preventing the development of an infection.
13. If you are female and able to become pregnant, you must have a urine pregnancy test the day of surgery. This includes all women from their first menstruation (period) to menopause. If you decline, we may have to cancel your surgery. If you prefer a blood test, you must ask your primary doctor to order one at least 48 hours before the day of surgery.
14. A nurse will review the doses of medicines you take. The nurse will tell you which medicines you should take the day of surgery.
15. To cancel or reschedule surgery, please call the OSMC Surgery Center right away at (574) 264-0791.
16. If your health changes before the day of surgery, please call the OSMC Surgery Center at (574) 264-0791. Tell us if you have an infection or if you get a cold, fever, or cough. Tell us if you start taking an antibiotic or if you have a cut or sore near the site of your upcoming surgery.
17. If your health changes the day of surgery, please call the OSMC Surgery Center at (574) 266-4173.
18. If you are to receive physical therapy, call (574) 262-1828 to confirm your appointment.
19. Tell us about your health history before you schedule surgery. Tell the nurse about any of these serious health problems:

1. Personal or family history of malignant hyperthermia or anesthesia problems
2. Severe asthma or wheezing that your inhaler does not relieve
3. Allergy to latex
4. Sleep apnea
5. Heart problems or new chest pain
6. Pacemaker or internal cardiac (heart) defibrillator
7. Any rare or uncommon illnesses
8. Prescription and any over-the-counter medicine you take (including diet medicine, herbal medicine, and supplements)

Please check-in on time at the main desk of the OSMC Surgery Center, at your designated arrival time for your procedure, to help avoid delays.

1. The night before or on the day of surgery, take a shower (or tub bath) and wash your hair.
2. Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothes. If you are having arm or shoulder surgery, wear a button-up shirt with large sleeves. If you are having leg surgery, wear sweatpants. Wear flat shoes.
3. Do not wear or bring any jewelry, metal barrettes, or hairpins. This includes your wedding ring. Remove jewelry from piercings at home. You may wear soft, non-metal hair ties. Do not wear makeup, cologne, perfume, or fingernail polish. Your caregivers need to see your skin to check your blood circulation.
4. Do not smoke or use chewing tobacco. Do not drink alcohol or take illegal drugs.
5. Bring your photo identification (ID) and completed paperwork. Bring a form of payment and your insurance card. Leave your jewelry, valuables, and all other money at home. If you have an advance directive, bring a copy with you.
6. If you have been given a walker, cane, or any other special equipment with instructions to bring the day of surgery, please do so. Do not bring your cold therapy device with you. Your doctor may prescribe equipment for you to use after surgery, such as an arm sling or post-op shoe. Medicare does not usually cover the cost of this equipment. The usual price range of this equipment is $15 to $24. There is a discount if you pay for this equipment the same day you receive it. Bring a form of payment with you to take advantage of this discount.
7. If you take insulin or use an inhaler, bring these medicines with you. If you have sleep apnea, bring your CPAP machine with you. If you wear contact lenses, bring your case and solution with you. You may need to remove your contact lenses.
8. You may bring headphones and soothing music to listen to while you wait for surgery. Please remove headphones and put music or other distractions away when the doctor or nurse comes to speak with you.
9. When you are awake, a friend or family member can wait with you in recovery until it is safe for you to go home. When you are alert, a nurse will explain the after-care instructions to you and your friend or family member.
10. Do not drive a car, operate equipment, or drink alcohol for 24 hours after surgery. Do not make important decisions or sign legal documents until you recover.
11. Do not go back to regular activities such as work and exercise until your doctor says it is OK. Ask your doctor for a work status slip the day of surgery and at every follow- appointment. We require work status forms to complete disability or medical leave paperwork.
12. A nurse will call to check on you the day after surgery (or Monday for Friday surgery). Please call us if you have a question or need help. Call (574) 266-4173 between 8 am – 5 pm, Monday through Friday. If you require assistance after hours, call our answering service at (877) 713-3731. If you have an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
13. For pain medication refills, call OSMC’s main phone line at (574) 264-0791 between 8 am – 5 pm, Monday through Friday. Please allow two (2) business days for processing.

PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS: Make sure to fill any prescriptions your surgeon gave you prior to your day of surgery so you can begin using them once you get home. Some prescriptions cannot be given prior to the day of surgery so you will need to go to the pharmacy to get those right after your surgery.

CELL PHONES: You will only be allowed to have access to your cell phone while in the preoperative area. Recording video or taking photos of any kind is prohibited. Ear buds/headphones can only be used prior to surgery.

DENTURES, GLASSES, AND HEARING AIDS: These may have to be removed prior to surgery. Please do not wear contact lenses the day of surgery. Since these personal items can easily be misplaced, please keep them in appropriate cases or containers or give them to the person escorting you. If requested, your nurse can provide special denture cups.

MEET YOUR CARE TEAM: You will be taken care of by a team of providers during your time with us. Your team will consist of your surgeon, an anesthesia provider, nurses, and techs/aides. They will all work together with you to ensure you understand what will happen and the expectations of everyone involved – including you. Please ask them any questions you have at any time. Your orthopedic surgeon is a board-certified or board-eligible orthopedic surgeon who will perform your surgery and oversee your care.

Every patient will receive specific discharge instructions, both verbal and written, before leaving.

Every patient must arrange transportation home, as you will not be allowed to drive yourself, regardless of your procedure. It is also important that you have someone stay with you following surgery. Follow your physician’s orders