Please follow these steps carefully prior to your surgery to help ensure your procedure goes as smoothly as possible.
You will receive a nurse phone call 5 -7 days prior to your scheduled procedure to gather information in advance. This is to make the day of your procedure less stressful. The nurse will ask health history questions and review the instructions for your upcoming surgery. Please have a current list of all your medications and dosages available for this phone call, as well as any over the counter medications, herbals or vitamins.
During the Pre-Admission phone call, the nurse will inform you of medications to take the morning of your surgery.
Patients taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory medications (ibuprofen, Motrin, naproxen, etc.), herbals or weight loss medications should consult with their prescribing physician.
Patients taking aspirin upon doctor’s orders should consult their physician.
If you take Coumadin or other blood-thinning medications, you must ask your physician who prescribed the medications whether to stop taking or how to adjust the dosage around your surgery.
Patients discontinuing Coumadin before surgery upon physician orders will be required to have lab testing performed 24-48 hours before surgery.
Walker Surgical will instruct patients to stop taking the following medications a week ahead of surgery. Please consult with your physician for more information.
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Your surgeon or anesthesiologist may want you to have lab work or tests performed before your surgery. Please complete all tests at least one week before your scheduled procedure so we have complete information on the day you arrive. Specific lab tests may need to be performed within one week or less of your surgery.
One of our nurses will be contacting you 24 hours before your surgery to confirm your arrival time at Walker Surgical Center. Your provided arrival time will be approximately one hour before your procedure time to allow for registration and a nursing evaluation.
If you have Advance Directives, it is best to share them with all health care providers and medical facilities. If you have such a document, please bring a copy with you the day of your surgery.
Parents of children having surgery are encouraged to bring a blanket or favorite toy to comfort them the day of their procedure.
If your child does not drink from a cup, please bring a sippy cup or bottle.
We encourage all patients to bring a book or non-electronic form of entertainment. We have found this to be especially helpful for adolescents.
Following your procedure, the Walker Surgical Center nursing staff will review your discharge instructions with you and those who accompany you to the center. You will also receive a copy of these instructions to take home. You should take this opportunity to ask any questions regarding your post-discharge and recovery care.
For the public’s safety as well as your own, Walker Surgical Center requires you to have someone drive you home after surgery unless your surgeon or the nursing staff have informed you otherwise. Some procedures, anesthesia and medications may impair your ability to drive safely for a period of time following surgery. If you do not have a ride as instructed, your procedure will be canceled.
Avoid alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours after surgery or if you are taking prescription pain medication.
If you have received sedation or general anesthesia, rest at home for 24 hours and avoid strenuous activities (driving a motorized vehicle, operating machinery, participating in sports) or activities that require mental alertness and/or coordination. A responsible adult is to remain with you for 24 hours after you leave the center.
