Before Your Surgery:

Scheduling:
Your physician will schedule your surgery with the Center and provide you with a packet of instructions. We will attempt to contact you a day or two before surgery to review our instructions and answer any questions you may have. Please contact us if you are not available by phone during the day prior to your surgery date. You may need lab work or an EKG (cardiac evaluation) prior to surgery. You can contact us between 7A.M. and 5 P.M. to review your preoperative instructions at 327-3306.

Transportation: You will need to arrange for someone to drive you home and to stay with you the evening and night after surgery to ensure your safe recovery from surgery. As with all pain medications, it is unsafe to operate equipment or vehicles while under the effects of medication. (General anesthesia may effect your judgment for up to 24 hours.) YOU WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO LEAVE PROVIDENCE SURGERY CENTER ALONE AFTER GENERAL ANESTHESIA.

Financial Planning: Be sure to contact your insurance carrier, or other agency involved with surgical decisions. You can call 327-3300 to make financial arrangements prior to surgery.

The Day of Surgery:

Arrive one hour prior to the surgery schedule time. Wear clothing that can be easily worn over any bulky dressings or painful areas. Do not wear jewelry, false nails or bring in valuables.

DO NOT HESITATE TO SPEAK WITH THE NURSING STAFF IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, CONCERNS OR SPECIAL NEEDS.

Illness:
If you become ill with a cold or flu, have a temperature, or get any abrasions near the surgery area, contact your physician immediately.

Food: You should have nothing to eat, drink or smoke for 10 hours prior to surgery, this includes gum, candy, tobacco products. Infants or small children may be allowed fluids, contact us for instructions.

Medication: If your doctor approves, you may take your routine medications with a SIP of water. Do not take any anti-coagulants "blood thinners" or diuretics "water pill".

Children: Children may bring a small blanket or small toy from home. Siblings may become bored waiting for procedures to be completed, please make other arrangements for them. We encourage you to bring siblings to the preoperative tour. Tours may be scheduled by phone or E-mail a few days in advance of the date of surgery .

Out of town: clients are encouraged to contact us as soon as you are in Missoula in case there is a change in your surgery schedule.

If your physician has advised you on alternative instructions, please follow your physicians' recommendations.

During Surgery:

Visitors can stay in our waiting room or go to the cafeteria in the lower level of the Providence Building. Please let our receptionist know how to contact you if necessary. At least one parent or legal guardian MUST remain in our waiting area at all times.

After Surgery:

You will need a restful recovery period, so limit visitors to one. Children may have both parents present.

You will be discharged when:

You are able to tolerate pain and nausea satisfactorily, can return to presurgery motor function (you can walk), you are able to urinate.

Your physician and the nursing staff will give you instructions both verbally and in writing. Please ask questions if any instructions are confusing. We can phone or fax any prescriptions to your favorite pharmacy.

If it becomes medically necessary to admit you for overnight observation, you will be transported to St. Patrick Hospital unless other arrangements are made.

A nurse will attempt to contact you the day after surgery to make sure you are recovering comfortably.

If you have any questions, concerns or problems after discharge, please call your physician.