About Your Procedure

Each individual patient will follow their own physician’s preparation instructions, directions, or specifications. The following are general guidelines.

The Night Before Your Procedure

• No liquids or food, including water or gum, after midnight on the day prior to procedure unless specifically directed by your physician.
• We suggest that you do not smoke or drink alcoholic beverages for 24 hours prior to procedure.
• Follow your doctor’s orders for bowel prep if you are having a colonoscopy.
• Arrange for an adult to drive you home.
• Patients recovering from IV conscious sedation should arrange to have a responsible adult stay with them the day of the procedure.
• If you suspect that you are pregnant, please inform your doctor and anesthesiologist.
• Anesthesia, x-rays, radiation and certain medications may be harmful to the developing fetus.
• If you experience any health changes between your visit to your doctor and the day of your procedure, notify your doctor. Please report even minor changes such as elevated temperature, cough, or a cold.

The Day of Your Procedure

• Plan to arrive 45 minutes before your scheduled procedure.
• Bring your insurance card, and driver’s license or photo ID.
• Your physician will indicate whether or not to take cardiac (heart), hypertension (high blood pressure), or seizure medications. If advised, take medications with a sip of water early in the morning.
• A urine sample will be obtained and tested for pregnancy for women of childbearing age.
• Arrange for a responsible adult to be with you during the first 24 hours after your procedure for your protection and safety.
• Wear comfortable or loose clothing appropriate to the procedure being done.
• Bring your medications with you, or provide a detailed list with dosages.
• You may brush your teeth, but do not swallow any water.
• As a courtesy to our patients and their families, please do not have any children under the age of 13 years in the waiting room during your procedure.
• Jewelry and valuables should NOT be worn the day of the procedure.
• If you have diabetes, a blood sample, will be obtained and tested for glucose level.
• You should arrive at your scheduled time to allow for the admission process. We will have you change into a gown, take your temperature, pulse, blood pressure and a medical history will be recorded. The anesthesia personnel will consult with you in the pre-operative area.
• Please arrange for an interpreter to accompany you if you do not speak English. For your convenience, bilingual Spanish-speaking staff is usually available.

Your scheduled procedure time is an estimated time only. We will make every attempt to meet this estimated appointment time. However, due to the individualized nature of health care, schedule variations may occur. Please make sure that we have a phone number where you can be reached on the day of your procedure if we need to contact you to adjust your appointment time.

Usually there is more than one physician scheduling patients at the facility, so it may appear that another patient is being serviced before you – please understand that this is not the case. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

After Procedure

You will be recovered in our fully equipped post-anesthesia recovery unit where you will remain under close observation. Our professional and qualified healthcare team will continue to monitor your vital signs until you are ready to go home. You will be given written instructions for your care at home before leaving the Endo Surgi Center.

Although the length of stay in the post-anesthesia recovery unit varies according to the type of procedure and your doctor’s instructions, most patients are discharged within 30 minutes to 1 hour after their procedure.

Precautions at Home

Your physician will provide post-procedure discharge instructions regarding diet, rest, exercise, and medications. The center will provide you with a written summary of these discharge instructions. You will be discharged by your physician and our staff when assured you are in stable condition. However, you could still feel sleepy, dizzy, and possibly nauseated. These are possible (and normal) side effects and can last for 12 to 24 hours following the procedure, however most patients do not experience these side effects from IV conscious sedation. Feeling drowsy after receiving an IV anesthetic is normal, so we also recommend that you postpone the following activities for 24 hours after discharge:

• Driving and operating equipment
• Signing important papers
• Making significant decisions
• Drinking alcohol beverages

Please call your doctor directly if you have any unexpected problems.

A nurse from the center will attempt to call you 1-2 days after your procedure to check your progress and discuss any questions you may have.