Day of surgery

• DO NOT eat or drink anything (including water, gum, and hard candy) after midnight the night before your procedure unless otherwise indicated by our staff.
• Please arrive at your designated time (according to your reminder text or call).  The operating room is a very dynamic place and the schedule can either speed up or slow down depending on the day.  We ask that you arrive at the surgery center at the designated time because if your surgeon gets ahead of schedule, we can get you in sooner.  Please be aware that sometimes the opposite occurs and you may have to wait a little longer.  We will be sure to keep you updated throughout the process as to your expected time of the procedure.
• Please be sure to bring your driver’s license and insurance cards with you (work comp paperwork if applicable).
• Please be prepared to pay any applicable co-pays or deductibles, if you have not already done so with our billing department.
• Take only the medications that you were instructed by the nurse or surgeon/primary doctor to take—with a sip of water.
• Please shower the day of your procedure to reduce the chance for infection.  DO NOT apply lotion.  (This does not apply to joint replacement patients, see handbook for showering instructions.)
• Be sure to wear loose, comfortable clothing.  Bring cases for glasses and do not wear contact lenses, dentures, and hearing aids, as you will be asked to remove them prior to your procedure.  Please DO NOT wear or bring jewelry, body piercings, or other valuables.
• If the patient is an infant or child, we encourage that they bring along a favorite toy or blanket to make them feel more at home.  If your child uses a sippy cup or bottle, please bring one with you so it’s available after the procedure.
• During your procedure, your family and friends may wait in the designated waiting area.  Please limit the number of people who accompany you to the surgery center in efforts to maximize the comfort of all visitors.  Children must have at least one parent or guardian in the facility at all times through the procedure period.
• You will be given information after your procedure in order to prepare for your recovery at home, including any new medications you will be taking, warning signs for which to call your doctor, your follow-up care, any limitations of activities and/or any special equipment needs.
• A nurse from Ankeny Medical Park Surgery Center will call you the next business day following your procedure to check on your recovery at home and answer any questions you may have.

Anesthesia:

Anesthesia is a medicine that keeps you from feeling pain during surgery. Your anesthesia provider will talk to you to explain the type of anesthesia you will have.

• Local anesthesia: Numbs the area of the body where the procedure is being done so that you do not feel pain, but are not sedated or sleepy.
• Monitored sedation: Keeps you relaxed and comfortable. You may remain awake and aware throughout the procedure or you may be drowsy or in a light sleep. You do not feel pain.
• Regional anesthesia: Numbs certain areas of the body so that you do not feel pain. You may also receive additional medicines to relax you.
• General anesthesia: Will put you totally asleep and you will be aware of nothing.