What To Expect With Surgery

CBC Surgery Center – Crown Point / Schererville, IN

CBC Surgery Center provides a comfortable environment for outpatient surgery. Here is some information on what to expect in regards to your surgery.

Call CBC Surgery Center today at 219-756-0600, or browse our website for more information regarding our surgical specialties or frequently asked questions.

One of the nurses from the center will call you a few days before your surgery to let you know the time to arrive for surgery and to answer any questions you may have.  In addition, they will ask you questions regarding your medical history, including any medications you are taking as well as their dosage and frequency.  

Please be aware that typically you will be asked to arrive 30 minutes before your surgical start time for local anesthesia and some IV sedation surgeries.  You will typically be asked to arrive 1-1/2 hours early for all other surgeries.  This allows you time to check in, complete paperwork, change clothes, and have any pre-operative medications and tests administered before surgery.  In addition, it allows you time to ask any additional questions prior to your surgery.  Your surgery time may be subject to change, although we make every effort to keep the schedule running on time.

Pre-Operative Guidelines

If your physician ordered pre-admission testing (eg. Lab tests, EKG, etc.), please have this completed as soon as possible before your surgery and keep track of the place where your tests were completed.

If you have ANY kind of sedation, you may not eat or drink ANYTHING (including water, gum or hard candy) after midnight the evening before your surgery.  You will not be allowed to drive for 24 hours after surgery.  You must make arrangements for a responsible adult 18 years old or older to take you home after surgery and stay with you for 24 hours.

Patients having GI procedures (eg. colonoscopy, gastroscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy) should follow the dietary restrictions and preparation instructions given to them by their physician’s office.

If you are having local anesthesia, you may eat a light breakfast the day of surgery and you will be allowed to drive yourself home from surgery.  However, you are still welcome to bring a responsible adult with you if you prefer.

Please leave your valuables and jewelry at home.  

If you wear contacts or glasses, please bring a case for them.

Bring your insurance card(s) and a photo ID.

Although we do not honor Advance Directives, if you have a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care or other Advance Directive form, you may bring a copy with you.

Please do not wear any makeup, deodorant, lotion, perfume, powder or nail polish the day of surgery.

Please wear loose, comfortable clothing including shoes that will fit over whatever type of dressing you will have.  Wear a button down shirt if you are having a procedure that will limit your ability to pull clothes over your head.  Keep in mind that you will be asked to store your clothing in a bag or a small locker during surgery.

Medications

You may take your morning dose of any heart or blood pressure medications with a small sip of water except for water pills (diuretics).

If you are taking coumadin, aspirin, or any other type of blood thinner, please check with your surgeon and/or primary doctor about discontinuing these prior to surgery.

If you take insulin or oral diabetic medications, please contact your primary doctor for instructions.

If you use an inhaler, please bring it with you.

Weight loss medications should be discontinued two weeks prior to your surgery for all surgeries requiring anesthesia.

Post-Anesthesia Instructions

These are guidelines to follow at home after having general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, and/or local anesthesia.  You will be given written and verbal instructions at the time of your surgery specific to your surgeon and procedure.  These instructions are applicable for a minimum of 24 hours.  You may resume your normal activities after that time, unless otherwise instructed by your surgeon.

DIET:  You may resume your normal diet as tolerated.  Begin with liquids and light foods – tea, jello, soup, etc.  If you are not nauseated, you may progress to your usual diet unless otherwise instructed by your surgeon.

NO alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours and while on pain medication.

ACTIVITY:  Rest the day of surgery.  You may feel sleepy when you get home.

Do NOT drive or operate hazardous machinery for 24 hours following anesthesia.

Do NOT make any important legal or personal decisions for 24 hours.

Move cautiously for 24 hours.  You may feel dizzy if you make sudden moves.

You may resume your normal medications as prescribed by your physician(s) unless otherwise instructed by your physician.

Pediatrics

The prospect of surgery can be overwhelming for children who most often don’t know what to expect.  We understand this fear of the unknown and want to do whatever we can to make your child comfortable with our facility and the people who will be caring for him or her.  We are well prepared to meet the needs of our younger surgical patients and their parents.

Before Surgery

We are happy to arrange a tour of our Center for you and your child.  You’ll have the opportunity to meet some of our staff and see the rooms where your child will be prepped for surgery and where s/he will recover.  We can explain what will take place and offer a chance for you and your child to ask questions.  Just give us a call at 219-756-0600 between 8am and 3pm weekdays to schedule a visit.  We hope this will help your child see and understand what will take place the day of surgery and ease their mind!

A nurse from the center will call you a couple days ahead of time to give you preoperative instructions for your child and the time to arrive at the center on the day of surgery.

The Day Of Surgery

Your child may bring a special toy or blanket with them the day of surgery.  Both parents may remain with your child until they are ready to be transported to the operating room.

When surgery is finished, your doctor will come out to speak with you.  Your child will go to Phase I recovery until they awaken from anesthesia.  In order to ensure the best possible care for your child and our other patients, parents are asked to wait in the waiting room during this time.  However, be assured that the time spent in Phase I recovery will be as minimal as necessary and you’ll be back with your child as soon as possible.

When your child is in Phase II recovery, a staff member will notify you and you are welcome to remain with your child until discharge.  You’ll be given verbal and written instructions on the care of your child at home.