All patients will need an up-to-date medical history and physical form. Some may need blood tests, EKG or x-rays. Your surgeon will advise where you will have this done. Your physician’s office staff will give you a pre-admission packet with all forms that must be filled out and signed before your surgery. We strongly recommend that you complete all preoperative documentation prior to arrival at the Center, as not doing so may delay your procedure.

Yes. We strongly encourage you to have completed all the registration forms before the day of surgery. For your convenience, we have provided an online registration feature. Click here to pre-register.

Please notify the surgeon and OSC at 225-763-6011 as early as possible if you cannot make your scheduled appointment. Early notification can help us better accommodate you and other patients.

Please wear comfortable clothing. Button-down shirts or blouses are best. Wear comfortable shoes. Leave all jewelry at home, including body-piercing jewelry. If you wear contact lenses, you will have to remove them for the surgery, so consider bringing your glasses. If you have to wear your contacts, please bring contact solution and contacts case. Please do not wear any make-up as this can hide certain clinical signs. Please remove all nail polish.

Regardless of surgery type or site, we want the stomach to be empty before having anesthesia because anesthesia can reduce your body’s ability to protect and prevent food or acids from the stomach from entering the lungs.

Normally, your body is able to prevent this, but anesthesia medicines make it harder for your body to do so.

Your surgeon will instruct you on what medications you should take the morning of surgery. If you have any questions you may call the surgery center or your surgeons office.

Herbal medications may have harmful effects on the anesthesia/surgery. Many of these remedies may affect your clotting mechanism, blood pressure or ability to breathe on your own after anesthesia, and interfere with the anesthetic agents. (The list of drugs and their side effects are too great for this site.) We generally request that you stop these medications two weeks before surgery. Please remember to mention these remedies when being asked about medication.

One person should accompany you to the Center. That person must remain at the Center for the entirety of your stay. Minors will be allowed to have two parents or guardians with them for their stay. No one under 12 years of age will be allowed in the Pre-Op or Recovery Room areas. Please refrain from bringing young children to the Center as guests.

We will individualize each patient’s care.

Yes. We call each patient before the surgery to gather information helpful to us and hopefully answer any of your questions. Preoperative instructions will be given by the nurse who calls you. You can also call the Center directly with any questions.

Yes. You can comfortably take a shower, bathe, brush your teeth, (do not swallow water) etc. Please do not use make up, hair spray, nail polish or toiletries. These may interfere with the anesthesia monitoring and possibly hide clinical signs from the anesthesiologist.

If you are not feeling well, please contact your surgeon immediately. Fever, productive cough, etc. may cause your surgery to be cancelled/rescheduled. During normal business hours, you can call the Center for advice. There are some surgeries which are safer if delayed when you are sick. We need to know specific details to make the decision. Please do not delay in contacting your surgeon or the Center.

This will not affect most surgical procedures.  Call your surgeon at (225) 766-0050 if you have any questions.

It is very important for us to be aware of this possibility. Only essential surgery is done on pregnant patients. If there is any doubt please contact us immediately. Our policy is to perform a urine pregnancy test on all female still having a menstrual cycle to rule out unexpected pregnancy.

Any patient receiving anesthesia should not drive for 24 hours after procedure.  All patients must have a ride home. Patients will not be allowed to take public transportation after sedation or anesthesia without a responsible adult accompanying them. Please make the appropriate arrangements.

All patients will be seen by the anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist on the day of surgery prior to entering the operating room. Sufficient time will be spent to answer any questions you may have. If you need to speak to the anesthesiologist before the day of surgery, you are welcome to call the Center and we will arrange for you to speak with a member of our anesthesia team.

We will make every effort to accommodate any special need you may have. We strongly encourage you to call the Surgery Center in advance so that we can properly prepare to make you comfortable. 

Yes. Please bring any walkers, crutches, hearing aids, CPAP machines, special shoes or boots, etc.

• Bring  eyeglasses or contact case
• Bring insurance identification cards, driver’s license, completed billing forms, copayments
• Bring all medications unless you have reviewed them with the pre-admissions nurse. 
• Make sure you someone to stay with you at the center throughout your procedure and someone to care for you at home.
• Bring a favorite bottle or “sippy cup” for your child having surgery. Bring extra diapers/change of clothes.
• Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing
• Leave all jewelry and valuables at home

The surgeon and anesthesia team will work together to develop an individualized plan to manage your pain.