Preparing for Surgery

Please follow these steps carefully prior to your surgery to ensure your procedure goes as smoothly as possible.

Contact your surgeon or physician prior to your surgery date if:

You experience any changes in your health between your most recent visit to your physician and the date of your procedure, even minor ones such as , temperature, cough or cold.

You suspect that you are pregnant.  Anesthesia and medication may be harmful to the developing fetus.

You have a latex allergy.

You take medication on a daily basis, especially blood thinners.  Your physician/surgeon may have guidance about which medications you should or should not take on the day of your procedure.

Note:  Do not take any medications containing aspirin or ibuprofen for at least one week prior to your surgery or 5 days prior to your GI procedure.  This includes:  Motrin, Advil, Pepto Bismol, Alka Seltzer Cold Plus, Aspergum or supplements.

Prior to surgery

If pre-testing was required all results must be faxed (724-431-0756) or delivered to The Surgery Center at Benbrook before your surgery.

If you have insurance coverage through a managed care provider, please call your primary care physician to determine if a referral/authorization is required. If it is needed, please bring it with you on the day of your scheduled surgery.

Arrange for a responsible adult to accompany you to the Center, receive discharge instructions, drive you home, and stay with you until the morning following your surgery. For your own safety and protection, you will not be allowed to drive home. Taking a taxi or public transportation home by yourself will not be allowed. You must have someone accompany you. The only exception to this is for patients having a local anesthetic only (numbing medicine).

The day before your surgery

Approximately 1 business day prior to your surgery/procedure, you will receive a phone call between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. from our pre-admission nurse.  Please be prepared to review your health history to include any medications you take.  You will be given an arrival time for your procedure along with any additional information required.  If you are unavailable, or have not heard from the surgery center, call (724) 431-0740.  If it is necessary to leave a message, please indicate a phone number that we will be able to reach you during the indicated hours.

Do not eat after midnight, this includes gum, mints and hard candies.  You may drink water or apple juice only up to 2 hours before your surgery. Your surgery is likely to be postponed if you forget to follow these instructions.  GI patients follow prep instructions only.

Do not drink alcoholic beverages 24 hours before surgery.