Preparing for Procedure

To provide you with optimal patient care, we request you complete your online health history as soon as possible. This will help our care team gather accurate information about your medical history and medications.

Your surgeon's scheduler will provide you with directions on how to complete an online registration to input your medical history and current medications.

Our pre-op nursing team will review your information prior to your surgery date and call if there are any questions. If we don't have any questions, expect to receive a phone call the day before surgery to go over pre-operative instructions and to receive your arrival time for surgery.

The Day Before Surgery

You will be contacted the day before surgery to confirm your arrival time. To provide the best experience possible, see the list below for some important rules to remember. Ignoring these may cause your surgery to be delayed or cancelled.

  • Do not eat or drink anything after 12:00 midnight the night before surgery. (This includes chewing gum, lozenges, hard candy, and chewing tobacco.)

  • You may be instructed by your pre-operative nurse to drink a liter of Gatorade (No red colored Gatorade) prior to surgery. Please be sure to drink the entirety THREE HOURS before your scheduled surgery time. If you are diabetic, please drink the sugar-free alternative "Gatorade Zero."

  • Do not bring valuables with you on the day of surgery (purses, money, jewelry, etc.).

  • If possible, plan for childcare which will allow you to concentrate on your recovery.

  • You will be asked to arrive 1.5 to 2 hours prior to the time of your surgery, please confirm this with your pre-operative nurse during your pre-operative call the day before surgery.

  • If you are diabetic, you will be given instructions as to the dose and time to take medication prior to arriving at the center.

  • If you routinely take a medication that thins the blood, you must speak with your surgeon about when to stop this drug and fi you may need any blood tests before surgery (i.e. aspirin, Coumadin, Plavix, Naprosyn, Motrin).

  • If you have been prescribed any weight loss medication such as a pill or injection, please consult your prescribing physician as this must be stopped 1 week prior to your surgery date.

  • If you are unable to keep your appointment for surgery or are delayed in arriving, please call the surgery center as soon as possible at (984) 884-1600.

The Day of Surgery

All patients are required to have a responsible adult to stay at the center during your surgery to receive discharge instructions and drive you home. Without an adult driver your surgery will be rescheduled.

The day of your procedure can be rather stressful. The information in this section is meant to help reduce your anxiety.

  • Bring your completed medication reconciliation form or your own list of all current medications (including vitamins & herbals) the dosage and frequency (unless you completed on your online health history).

  • Wear loose, comfortable clothing and simple shoes to make getting dressed after your surgery easy. Do not wear jewelry.

  • Bring your insurance cards and driver's license for the admission process.

  • If you wear glasses or contacts, bring the appropriate case for them since they cannot be worn during your procedure.

  • There is an area with coffee, tea, and water available to those waiting for patients.

  • Escorts are expected to remain in the building while the patient is in surgery. If you must step out, please tell the receptionist.

During the admitting process, where you will be asked for your insurance cards and driver's license to verify information and sign forms.

A pre-op nurse will take you to the patient care area. While there, the nurse will take your temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respirations, and verify existing information with you. You will be asked to change into a patient gown and relax on a stretcher in the patient care area. The nurse will start an IV. Your clothing and personal items will remain in your pre-operative bay, or your escort can take them if you wish.

If you have dentures, you will be asked to remove them. Please bring a storage cup with you. Your anesthesiologist, surgeon, and operating room nurse will visit you in pre-op.

They will re-verify information and answer any questions you may have. You will be in pre-op for about an hour. After your surgery, you will be taken directly to the recovery room where you will again be monitored by nurses.

After Surgery

The Recovery Room

Your escort will be allowed in the recovery room with you when it is appropriate. You may snack on crackers and have a light beverage. The length of time you will be in the recovery room is dependent on the procedure you had, the type of anesthesia you had, your pain level, and your ability to tolerate fluids. Please note that patients who have"Anterior Cervical Fusion" or "Anterior Cervical Disc Replacement" surgery are required to stay at the facility for 4 hours after surgery. This is for your safety, and monitoring of your airway following surgery.

Once you are awake and alert, the nurse will review with you and your caregiver the instructions written by your physician which you are to follow at home. You will be given a copy of your discharge instructions and medication list to take home with you.

Please note: Everyone reacts to surgery differently. In some cases, a patient may need to be admitted to the hospital following the surgery for specific medical reasons. If the need arises, be assured that this decision will be made in conjunction with anesthesia personnel and your surgeon. You will be admitted to Wake Medical Center.

When You Go Home

Please follow these instructions when you get home if you have had anesthesia/sedation:

  • You must have your caregiver stay with you for the first 24 hours. You may be drowsy or dizzy.

  • Please rest and relax. Follow your doctors' recommendations for resuming your normal activities.

  • Eat a light meal when you get hungry. Eating too much, or heavy foods, may cause you to become nauseated.

  • Remember to follow your doctor's instructions on resuming any previous medications you had been on, as well as taking any pain medication prescribed for you.

  • Do NOT drive, drink alcoholic beverages or operate heavy machinery or power tools for at least 24 hours after your surgery.

  • If you feel you are experiencing any problems after your discharge, call your doctor's office immediately. If your doctor is not available, call the Emergency Room at your local hospital or 9-1-1 if it is an extreme emergency. Your discharge instructions will contain a list of specific reasons to go to the emergency department. Please reference that.

The day after your surgery, you will receive a phone call from a member of our nursing staff to check on your progress.

We would love to know about your experience. Please let us know how well we cared for you and our family by filling out our patient satisfaction survey. You will receive the survey via email or USPS mail. Again, thank you for choosing RNS for your surgical needs.