Patient Resources

Preparing for Your Surgery

Learn more about what to expect before, during, and after your surgery by selecting a topic below:

• What to expect during your Pre-Operative Assessment Call
• What to expect the day of your surgery
• What to expect at Registration
• What to expect in Pre-Operative (Prep) Area
• What to expect in Operating Room (OR)
• What to expect in Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
• Anesthesia Information
• Anesthesia FAQs

To help ensure a safe and successful surgery, please carefully follow all pre-operative instructions provided by your surgeon, as well as the additional guidelines below.

• We will give you a call one business day before your procedure to confirm your arrival time. Surgery schedules are ever changing and can change up to and including the day of your procedure.
  • If your surgeon’s office has provided a different arrival time, please follow the arrival time given by Lake Ridge Ambulatory Surgery Center. The time provided by your surgeon’s office is an estimate and may change based on the final surgical schedule. The arrival time communicated by our scheduling staff is the most current and accurate.
  • You may request an estimated time of arrival prior to this time frame but please note that it is only an estimate and is subject to change. Occasionally, we may contact you on the day of your procedure and ask you to arrive earlier than you scheduled arrival time due to changes in the surgery schedule or a cancellation. Because surgery schedules can be unpredictable, we recommend planning your day with flexibility in case your surgeon needs to accommodate an earlier arrival.
• After 11:59 PM the night before your procedure, please don’t eat or drink anything, including water. The only exception: you may have a small sip of water with any medications we instruct you to take the morning of your procedure.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing on the day of your procedure. Please avoid wearing tight- fitting clothing, including spandex and jeans.
  • For knee/hip surgery: We recommend wearing shorts, loose-fitting sweatpants, a dress, or a skirt to allow room for dressings, braces, or bandages.
  • For hand, elbow, or shoulder surgery: We recommend wearing an oversized shirt or a button front shirt to make dressing easier and more comfortable after your procedure.
• If you wear glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, dentures, partial dentures, or retainers, please bring a protective case or storage container for each item. These items will need to be removed before your procedure and safely stored during surgery.
• Remove all jewelry before arriving for your procedure. Wearing jewelry during surgery may increase your risk of injury, including but not limited to: Electrical Burns, Infections, Skin tears, pressure ulcers, and pressure injuries, Loss of circulation and oxygenation, Fire, Damage to personal property not removed, etc.
  • If you are unable to remove your jewelry, you may be asked to sign a jewelry waiver acknowledging these risks.
  • Silicone or plastic retainers/spacers (non-metallic jewelry) may be worn in place of metal jewelry whenever possible.
• Please bring your insurance card, a valid photo ID, and a debit card, credit card, or cash to pay any required copay or patient balance. Please note that we are unable to accept personal checks.
• If you have a Medical Power of Attorney (MPOA), Advance Directive, Living Will, or other healthcare directive, please bring a copy with you on the day of your procedure so it can be included in your medical record.
• For your safety, if you receive anesthesia/sedation or if you are having a spinal procedure you are required to arrange for a responsible adult to:
  • Drive you home after your surgery. You will not be permitted to drive yourself or use public transportation or a rideshare service without a responsible adult accompanying you.
  • Remain with you for the first 24 hours after surgery, if instructed by your healthcare provider.
  • Be available at the time of discharge to receive and understand your post-operative instructions, sign any required discharge paperwork, and assist with your care at home.
  • Please note: If you do not have a responsible adult available to accompany you home, your procedure may be delayed or rescheduled for your safety.