FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When is my surgery scheduled?
Your surgeon's office will schedule the date and time of your surgery.
Please call the office one business day before your surgery is scheduled to confirm the time of your surgery. Changes in the operating room schedule may be made in the days before your surgery.

Why do I have so many papers to sign?
There are many Federal, State and Accreditation regulations that we must follow. These require us to document your knowledge of certain aspects of your care and therefor require your signature.

Why does everyone ask me the same questions over and over?
Certain key questions such as what procedure you're having done, what you are allergic to and if you've had anything to eat or drink are critical to the success of your surgery. Having several people confirm the information is a safety net that decreases the risk of missing important information. Please don't be annoyed at the repeat questions, but instead think of it as added security.

Will I talk to my surgeon before my surgery?
Your surgeon will have met you prior to the day of your planned procedure.
You should fully understand what your surgery is about before you sign the consent form.
Many surgeons also see their patients on the day of surgery in the preoperative holding area.
If you have additional questions, please feel free to call your surgeon or request to speak with him or her on the day of surgery.

What time may I expect to go home?
You may go home when your nurse and anesthesiologist agree that you have met the standard criteria for discharge.
Generally, this means that you are relatively comfortable and can tolerate drinking fluids
Every patient is unique, thus it is impossible to know exactly how long you will need for recovery.
Your pre-procedure nurse can give you a general idea of how long it takes the average patient to recover.

What happens if I'm not ready to go home at closing time?

Although the SurgiCenter of Baltimore has regular hours of business, our only business is our patients. Our staff will stay until the patient has met the discharge criteria and is safe to go home. If the patient requires overnight observation arrangements will be made to transfer the patient to the hospital.

What happens if there is a complication during my surgery?
Like a hospital, the SurgiCenter of Baltimore is equipped to handle any surgical or medical crisis that might arise. Our critical care trained staff and state of the art technology allow us to respond immediately to any change in a patient's status.

Do I need someone to take me home?
If you have any type of sedation, absolutely yes, you must have a responsible adult escort you home.
Your procedure will be canceled if you have not arranged for an escort.

How will my family/friend know when and where to pick me up?
We prefer that a family member or friend remain in the Center during your procedure.
On the day of surgery, you will be asked to provide the name(s) of the person(s) waiting for you and escorting you home.
When you are ready to go home, your nurse will call that person and give them detailed instructions.
To check on patient readiness for discharge call the 410-356-0300.

May I eat or drink on the day of surgery?
You should not eat or drink after 12 midnight the evening before your procedure, unless an anesthesiologist tells you otherwise. Keep your stomach empty!
No gum, mints or hard candy are allowed.
Your anesthesiologist or pre-procedure nurse will tell you which of your regular medications to take the morning of surgery. You may take them with a small sip of water.
Your surgery will be canceled if you do not follow these instructions.

What should I bring with me to the Center?
Wear comfortable, loose clothing that you can easily put on after your procedure.
Makeup and nail polish will need to be removed before surgery.
Please do not use body lotion on the morning of your surgery.
Do not bring valuables such as large sums of money or credit cards.
All jewelry and contact lenses must be removed before surgery, so please leave them home. Remember to bring a case for your glasses.
If your doctor ordered special garments or any durable medical devices such as crutches, please bring them with you to the Center.
If you have a advance directive please bring a copy with you to the Center.

What time should I arrive?
You need to arrive at least one hour prior to the scheduled start of your procedure. Some procedures require more time for your pre-operative preparation. Your surgeon's office will give you a time to arrive. During this time you may meet with your nurse, anesthesiologist and surgeon to discuss your care.
Unexpected changes in the schedule may result in your surgery starting earlier or later than your planned time.
If you are having a local anesthetic ONLY for your procedure, please check with your surgeon about your arrival time.

Where should I go on the day of surgery?
You should report to the receptionist on the first floor of the SurgiCenter of Baltimore.

Who will be in the operating room with me?
Your peri-operative team consists of your surgeon and their assistants, nurses, anesthesiologists and a surgical technician.

Where do I go off to sleep?
You will be prepared for your surgery in the pre-operative holding area. Your anesthesia will be administered in the operating room.

How do I get to the Operating Room?
You will walk, escorted by your nurse. Once in the room you will be assisted onto the operating room bed.

How will I be positioned in the operating room?
The operating room team will assist you to a comfortable position on the operating room bed. If you have back problems or difficulty lying flat, please let the nursing staff know so we can take extra care in positioning you for your surgery.

Why is the operating room so cold?
The operating room temperature is kept low for several reasons. Cooler temperatures lower the growth rate of microorganisms therefore it helps with maintenance of sterility of our supplies. It also promotes the maintenance of our equipment, and adds to the comfort of your surgical team who are required to wear long sterile gowns and work under hot lights. We provide you with warm blankets as soon as you are settled in the operating room.

Will I be able to see my surgery being performed?
We find it best for our patients not to see the actual procedure. If you chose a type of anesthesia where you are awake, the operating room team will keep you informed of the progress of your surgery.

Why is there so much equipment in the room?
Our ambulatory operating rooms are fully equipped for all types of surgical procedures. This means that much of the equipment and supplies you see may not be necessary for your procedure.

Are family members allowed into the operating room?
With exception of parents of pediatric patients, family members are not allowed into the operating room for safety and sterility reasons. If your family member does not speak English or has communication difficulties, an interpreter will be provided who has been trained to assist the operating room staff.

What happens in the PACU?
During the first hour of recovery you will be placed on a heart monitor that continuously monitors your pulse and blood pressure. You will feel the blood pressure cuff on your arm getting tight then releasing every few minutes during your stay.
A finger cover is placed on your finger. It tells us how much oxygen is in your blood and how well you are breathing.
Your temperature will be taken by placement of a small probe in the outer ear canal. It is a quick way to check your temperature. You will feel a slight pressure in your ear when this is done.
When you first wake up you may have an oxygen mask covering your mouth and nose. It is important to keep it on until your nurse removes it.
If you have an incision or bandage, your nurse will be checking the area for any bleeding.
When you are awake and ready for fluids, you will start drinking small sips of water.

How will I feel after surgery?
You may experience any of the following normal symptoms as you recover from surgery.
You may feel sleepy, dizzy and /or forgetful and have general muscle aches from the medications given to you during your operation. These feelings will improve as time passes.
You may have some discomfort after your surgery. The nurses will give you medication to make you feel better.
If you have had a spinal anesthetic or a nerve block to an extremity, the extremity will feel numb and heavy and you may not be able to move it. This is not cause for worry. The normal feeling and movement will return with time as the medication wears off.
Mild nausea is also common after anesthesia. If it persists and you cannot keep fluids down, please call your surgeon.

Other reactions to surgery:
If you had general anesthesia, you may have a sore throat for a day or so. This is from the breathing tube.
You may have cramps, gas pains or you may feel slightly bloated and full in your abdomen.

How long will I be in the PACU?
The average recovery time is usually between one and two hours depending on the procedure. Since each person is unique recovery time will vary.
You can be discharged home when you are reasonably comfortable, able to drink small amounts of fluids, walk without dizziness and in some cases to empty your bladder.

Will someone explain to me what I should do when I get home?
Before you are discharged home, your discharge instructions will be reviewed with you and your family member by the nurse caring for you.
All of your questions will be answered before you go home.
Always feel free to call your surgeon for any questions or problems.

May I go home alone?
If you have been given any type of sedation you may not leave the Center without an escort.
If an escort is required and you have not made plans to have someone pick you up, your surgery will be cancelled.

Do I need someone to be with me the first night home?
We do recommend that you have someone stay with you on your first night home.
If you cannot have someone stay with you, it is a good idea to make arrangements to have someone close by whom you can call upon if you should need help.
A member of our staff will call you the evening of surgery or the next business day after your surgery to see how you are doing and answer any questions you may have about your recovery.

Will I have much discomfort?
You will be reasonably comfortable before you are discharged to home.
The amount of discomfort that you experience will depend on the type of surgery you have.
You may or may not require a prescription for pain medication.
In some cases your doctor may prescribe over the counter medications such as Tylenol or Motrin/Ibuprofen for pain relief.
Your nurse will review your prescriptions with you before you go home.

What may I eat or drink when I go home?
You should always follow your doctors orders regarding diet after surgery.
If your doctor does not specify diet orders, in general you should eat lightly after surgery. A diminished appetite is normal. When you feel ready you may return to a regular diet.
We suggest however, that you start out slowly, as nausea and vomiting sometimes occur after anesthesia.
Start with clear fluids; water or clear juice, and then advance your diet as tolerated to your regular diet. Light foods such as crackers, bread, broth or noodles are move easily tolerated.
It is a good idea to have something in your stomach such as toast or crackers when taking your pain medication.
Alcohol must be avoided for 24 hours and/or while taking prescription pain medications.

If I have a problem when I am at home whom should I call?
You should call your surgeon's office. If it is an emergency call 911 or go to the emergency room.

If you can not reach your surgeon, you may call the SurgiCenter of Baltimore between the hours of 7:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and ask to speak to a nurse.

These phone numbers can also be found on the discharge information sheet you will receive prior to your discharge home.