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Before Your Procedure

  • You can expect a phone call from our Anesthesia Department Nurse concerning your health history and current medications.  At this time, you will be instructed on the time of arrival, food, drink, and medication restrictions.

  • Be sure to follow the instructions given to you by our Anesthesia Department RN (nurse) regarding food, fluid, medications and arrival time.

  • We can provide you and a friend or family member with door-to-door transportation if you do not have a driver.  Please contact your surgeon's office to make arrangements.

  • Check into insurance and coverage ahead of time.  Click here for a list of companies we work with on this website. 

  • Any special lab work, EKG or X-rays necessary for your procedure will be arranged by your physician prior to the date of surgery.

  • If your doctor gave you a prescription for antibiotic drops before surgery, please follow the instructions or call your doctor with any questions.

  • If you have any questions regarding eye drops or other questions regarding your procedure, please call your doctor's office.

  • If you have an infection, fever, cough or noticeable change in your health since your last office visit, inform your surgeon's office prior to your planned surgery date.

  • Please make arrangements for someone to drive you the day of surgery and it is recommended that you have someone to help you at home for the first 24 hours after surgery.

  • If you do not follow these instructions, your surgery may be cancelled and rescheduled.

The Day of Surgery

  • Ask your driver to drop you off at the front entrance, then park (free) in our lot.  Our center is conveniently located on the first floor.  Remember, you CANNOT drive after your surgery, so your friend or family member must stay until your discharge.  Your surgery may be cancelled if you do not have someone to drive you to and from surgery.

  • Wear comfortable clothing; a front button shirt is preferred and loose fitting pants.

  • All valuables should be left at home.

  • Contact lenses may not be worn during surgery.  Please bring your lens case and glasses.

  • Don't wear make-up.

  • Bring your insurance cards and photo ID with you.

  • Bring copies of your healthcare proxy, living will or power of attorney.

  • For Cataract surgery bring a pair of sunglasses with you for light sensitivity after surgery.

  • If you have a hearing aid, please wear it the day of the surgery.

After Your Surgery

For all surgeries, always follow your Doctor’s Discharge Instructions and

  • You should plan to go directly home and rest after surgery.

  • It is recommended to have someone to help you at home for the first 24 hours.

  • A nurse from the Specialty Surgery Center will be calling you on the next business day to see how you are doing.

  • In the event of an emergency following any surgery or procedure, call 911 or go to your nearest Hospital's emergency room, and any problems with your surgery, call your surgeon's office.

 

Cataract and Corneal Procedures

  • You will need a ride to your post-op appointment and your doctor will tell you when you can begin driving again.

  • Your doctor has ordered eye drops to put in your operative eye after surgery.

  • You should not be exposed to dirty, dusty, or smoky areas for the first 4-5 days.

  • You will be able to shower and bathe as usual.

  • You can expect the following for a temporary period:

  • Pink tears

  • A blood shot or red eye

  • An itchy or scratchy sensation

  • A minor ache around your eye

  • Fluctuations in vision or "foggy vision"

  • Increased floaters in the eye

  • Light sensitivity

  • Poor night vision

  • A larger or smaller pupil

  • Tearing

 

YAG Laser Procedure

  • There are no activity restrictions after this procedure.

  • You may experience light sensitivity and possibly some floaters for a few days.

  • Your vision in the treated eye will begin to improve in a few hours after the procedure, but may take as long as a few days to improve.

  • Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery:

  • Following surgery, you may experience some swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the surgical area. The swelling and bruising usually progresses and peaks about 48 hours after surgery.

  • To minimize the swelling, we recommend crushed ice in a plastic bag or a small bag of frozen peas or corn, which can be refrozen, wrapped in a cloth or paper towel and applied gently to the surgical area as much as possible for 2 days.

  • You may be given a prescription on the day of surgery for special antibiotic ointment to care for your incision.

 

Eye Muscle Surgery

  • You can expect some discomfort for a few days, which can be relieved by Tylenol or cool pack.

  • You can expect swelling and redness of the eye. Also, you can expect some pink tears from the eye.

  • Showering and bathing is allowed. You can gently wash around your eyes and lashes.

  • Swimming in a pool or lake will be temporarily restricted.

  • You may be given a prescription for eye medication to care for your eye after surgery.

 

Ear, Nose, and Throat Surgery

  • Your doctor will tell you when you can restart your medication.

  • It is normal to have some drainage from the surgery site for the first few days after surgery.

  • For nasal surgery only:

  • Do not blow your nose for at least one week after surgery. When you sneeze, open your mouth to relieve any pressure from within the nose.

  • Apply ice pack to the bridge of your nose for 24-48 hours after surgery. Repeat the ice process 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. (Small packages of frozen peas work well for icing.)

  • You will have a gauze dressing under your nose and expect for the first two days to change this every 30-60 minutes when saturated. This should decrease by day 2.

  • You may experience a headache because of swelling in your nose.

  • Elevate your head with extra pillows.

  • If you have packing in your nose, it will be removed 1-2 days after surgery.

 

Pain Management

  • You may experience the following symptoms after your pain block procedure:

  • Muscle weakness in your hands, arms, or legs.

  • Numb stomach.

  • Tingling and warm sensation in your legs or arms.

  • Your knees may buckle due to muscle weakness. This may last 2-4 hours after the procedure.

  • If you have dizziness, lie down. The procedure you had may cause a decrease in your blood pressure. This sensation should only last a short time. Gradually sit up and stand.

  • If you experience any shortness of breath or pain when breathing go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 and tell them you are now experiencing these new symptoms, they will need to evaluate you for respiratory complications.

  • You may experience some soreness or discomfort in or around the area where your block was performed. Apply ice to the area. If the discomfort continues the next day, apply moist heat.

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