Frequently Asked Questions

To help you when preparing for back surgery, we’ve compiled answers to questions that most of our patients ask us.
If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact us.

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What to Expect Before the Day of a Procedure

Pre-operative tests will be determined by your physician or anesthesiologist and communicated to you prior to the date of your surgery.

Yes. You may receive up to three calls. You will be contacted a few days prior to surgery by a member of your health care team. This call will include a routine health assessment, instructions for the day of surgery, and answers to any questions you may have. You may also be contacted by someone in the facility’s business office to address financial matters such as your responsibility for co-payments and deductibles. Finally, you may also be contacted by your anesthesiologist.

  1. Please bring a photo identification card and your insurance card(s). Our staff will need to verify and make copies when you check-in on the day of your surgery.
  2. Be sure to bring any medications that you may need during your stay at the facility (e.g., inhaler or insulin).
  3. Please bring a list of all drugs you are currently taking.
  4. Please bring payment of any patient responsibility (e.g. co-payment or deductible)
  5. Please do not bring rings, watches, or other valuables.

Yes. You will not be allowed to drive after surgery. Please arrange for an adult to drive you home and for someone to be with you when you arrive.

Your physician or a pre-operative nurse will inform you of eating and drinking restrictions prior to surgery. It is very important that you follow the provided instructions.  If you do not, your surgery may be delayed or cancelled.

You will be given instructions regarding medications by your physician or a staff member. Also, as noted above, please be prepared to list all medications you are taking (including name and dose) and bring medications with you that may be needed during your stay (e.g., inhaler or insulin).

Your safety is our primary concern. Your entire health care team will follow rigorous guidelines regarding site identification and procedure confirmation. National Patient Safety Goals have been developed that require your involvement, too. You will be asked numerous times to confirm both the procedure you are having and the surgical site. You should take an active role in all discussions with your physician, your anesthesia provider, and our staff regarding the identification of your procedure and the correct surgical site. In most cases, your surgeon will mark the site prior to your procedure.

Take a shower the night before and the morning of surgery when preparing for back surgery, following these simple steps:

  1. Wash your hair first; any shampoo will do.
  2. Wash your body using a liquid antibacterial soap and a clean washcloth for each shower.
  3. Rinse well to remove all soap.
  4. Dry your body with a clean towel.
  5. Do not use lotion, cream, or powder.
  6. Do not shave or clip the area where the surgery will be done unless your physician directs you to do so.
  7. On the day of your procedure make sure you, your family and any other caregivers wash hands frequently while at the facility and at home following your surgery. Also, do not hesitate to ask members of your health care team at the facility if they have washed their hands!
  8. After your procedure, make sure you, your family and any other caregivers wash their hands frequently. Also, be sure you follow all instructions provided by your health care team regarding the care and cleaning of your surgical site as well as the administration of post-operative medications and bandages.

Please be sure to notify your physician, anesthesiologist, and nurse prior to the date of surgery if you think you may be pregnant. The surgical procedure, anesthesia, and medications may be harmful to a developing baby.

Day of Procedure

When you arrive at the facility, you will be checked-in by a member of our staff. The admission process is usually very quick, as we have obtained most of your information prior to your arrival. This final check allows us to verify all of your key information so we can better serve you.

For your comfort, we encourage you to wear clothing that can be easily removed and stored. Pants with elastic waistbands and loose fitting tops are good options. Please avoid wearing any jewelry, piercings, nail polish and cosmetics, and leave contact lenses at home or bring your lens case with you.

A nurse will escort you into the preoperative area where you will change your clothes. Your belongings will be safely stored until you are ready to go home. We recommend that you leave all valuables and additional accessories at home.

A nurse will conduct a pre-operative assessment, which includes taking your vital signs and starting an IV if it is required for your procedure. The anesthesia provider will also speak with you in the pre-operative area to review all pre-operative information and discuss your anesthesia. Our staff will keep your family and friends informed of your progress. We understand the anxiety family and friends will have while you are having your procedure. We will make every effort to keep them informed of your progress and let them know when they will be able to see you after the procedure.

On the day of your procedure, make sure you, your family and any other caregivers wash hands frequently while at the facility and at home following your surgery. Also, do not hesitate to ask members of your health care team at the facility if they have washed their hands!

Most likely. The nature of most procedures will require that you and your physician confirm both the specific type of procedure you are having as well as the surgical site for that procedure.

This will depend upon a number of factors. However, we believe that familiar faces can help reduce anxiety about the procedure, so please tell the nurse that you would like a friend or family member to sit with you.

You will receive instructions regarding arrival time during your pre-operative phone call.  It is important that you arrive at the designated time.

Please be sure to notify your physician, anesthesiologist, and nurse prior to the date of surgery if you think you may be pregnant. The surgical procedure, anesthesia, and medications may be harmful to a developing baby.

No. We advise against smoking on the day of your procedure. Smoking may interfere with the anesthesia and frequently produces nausea during the recovery period.

Anesthesia

Yes. There are five different categories of sedation and anesthesia: Conscious Sedation, General, Regional, Monitored Anesthesia Care, and Local Anesthesia. Regardless of the type of sedation or anesthesia that you receive, special anesthetic agents and techniques are used to provide a safe and speedy recovery. If there are alternative choices available for your surgery, which there often are, your physician or anesthesia provider will discuss them with you before surgery.

Depending on the type of surgery, there may be anesthetic options. Your physician or anesthesia provider will discuss available options with you after reviewing your medical history.

Together, you, your surgeon and your anesthesia provider will develop an anesthetic care plan. This plan may include preoperative sedation and other medications if necessary.

All surgical procedures and all anesthetics have risks. These risks depend on many factors, including the type of surgery and the patient’s medical condition. Your anesthesiologist will assess you preoperatively and every precaution will be taken to minimize your risk. We routinely see minor symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, sore throat, dizziness, tiredness, headache, muscle aches and pain, most of which are easily treated. Please feel free to discuss any questions with your anesthesia provider.

Yes. You will receive a separate bill from your anesthesia provider if anesthesia was administered.

Refraining from eating and/or drinking prior to surgery helps prevent the risks of aspirating gastric contents (complication related to vomiting) during your surgery. This complication may be very serious. Specific instructions based on national safety standards will be provided to you prior to your procedure. If you do not follow the provided instructions, your surgery may be delayed or cancelled.

After Procedure

Admissions to a hospital from a surgery center happen occasionally. In certain circumstances, your physician or anesthesiologist may determine that you need to be transferred to a hospital for additional post operative care.

If you are in serious pain, or exhibit warning symptoms described in your discharge instructions, please call your physician, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.

Your surgeon may have specific recommendations for your post-operative diet. We generally suggest that you eat lightly after surgery, and strongly encourage you to drink plenty of fluids. You should avoid alcoholic beverages.

In addition to following the recommendations below, follow your post operative instructions carefully and notify your physician if you have any signs or symptoms which concern you. Take a shower the night before and the morning of surgery, following the simple steps shown above (see the steps in Before Surgery.) In addition, make sure you, your family, and any other caregivers wash their hands frequently after your procedure. Follow all instructions provided by your health care team regarding the care and cleaning of your surgical site, as well as the administration of post-operative medications and bandages.

Managing your pain is of great importance to us. We will be assessing your level of pain from the time of admission until you receive our post operative call at home. During your stay at the facility, you will be repeatedly asked to rate your pain using a numerical scale (1-10), or for children, the “Faces Pain Scale” (shown below).

We will often use a combination of different methods to help make you comfortable— oral medications, intravenous medications, nerve blocks, injection of local anesthetic during the surgery, and so on. Prior to the surgery, physical  medicine & rehabilitation should be discussed with both your anesthesiologist and surgeon. Please feel free to bring up any concerns or fears you may have. Remember that information on physical medicine & rehabilitation gives you the appropriate expectations and a smoother, more comfortable recovery. It is important to follow instructions regarding your post operative pain medication closely.  Many pain medications take 20 to 30 minutes to begin to work. For best results, take pain medication before the pain becomes too strong.

Yes. After surgery, you will be taken to a recovery area. A nurse will monitor your vital signs and make sure you are comfortable as the anesthesia begins to wear off. Once you are awake and alert, your family will be invited back to the recovery area. Special arrangements are made for children having surgery.

No. Patients will not be allowed to drive after a procedure and must make necessary transportation arrangements. If you plan to walk or take public transportation from our facility after a procedure, please make sure you are accompanied by a responsible adult.

Most patients should continue their usual medications after surgery. Patients who have diabetes or patients on blood thinners may need to adjust their medications. These instructions will be clarified with you before you leave the facility. If you have any questions, please call your surgeon or primary care physician.

Recovery time varies from patient to patient. After your procedure, a nurse will monitor your vital signs and make sure you are alert and stable. You will be sent home as soon as your health care team feels it is safe to discharge you from the facility.