O
R T H O P A E D I C
AMBULATORY SURGERY
CENTER
at Mass General West
40 Second Avenue, Suite 200 • Waltham,
MA 02451 • Telephone:
781-487-2900 • Fax: 781-895-4837
BEFORE
YOUR SURGERY:
- Arrange for an escort home. You are going home the same day of your surgery, and you must have a reliable adult take you home. We prefer that your escort remain at the ASC during your surgery. At this time your escort will be able to fill your prescriptions and listen to your post-operative instructions.
- Arrange for someone to stay with you for the first 24 hours.
- Prepare your home for your return after surgery. Have shopping and laundry done. Prepare some meals ahead of time.
- lan for car rides, as you may not be able to drive for a while.
- If you have small children, dependent adults or animals that you care for, arrange to have someone help you watch them during the first few days after surgery.
MAKE ARRANGEMENTS:
If you do not yet have a confirmed time for your surgery, contact your surgeon's office.
DIET INSTRUCTIONS:
- Do not eat or drink after midnight unless otherwise instructed. This includes food, all liquids, hard candy, gum or mints.
- Some people are given instructions that allow them to drink clear liquids up until 4 hours before their scheduled surgery. If you were given these instructions, you may have the following clear liquids: water, apple juice, cranberry juice, black coffee, black tea, carbonated beverages and jello.
- ABSOLUTELY NO ORANGE JUICE, NO CREAM, NO CREAMER AND NO MILK!
- Please follow your instructions about eating and drinking. Otherwise, your surgery may be cancelled.
ON THE BUSINESS DAY BEFORE YOUR SURGERY:
MEDICATION:
THE EVENING BEFORE YOUR SURGERY:
WAITING AREA FOR YOUR ESCORT, FAMILY MEMBER
OR FRIEND:
It is very important that you are rested before your surgery, try to sleep.
Write down the name and contact number of the person taking you home from the ASC. You will be asked for this information when you get to the ASC.
If you plan to have your prescriptions filled at the Mass General West Pharmacy you will need your MGH blue card, money or credit card, and your health insurance card.
DAY OF SURGERY
Remember, do not eat or drink anything unless you were given different instructions.
- If you have been instructed to take any medication take it with a small sip of water.
- If you were told to bring medication to the ASC bring them with you.
GETTING DRESSED:
GETTING READY:
- Wear loose comfortable clothing.
- Do not wear any jewelry. This includes wedding rings, earrings and other body piercing. All jewelry must be removed prior to surgery.
- Do not wear nail polish, hair spray, body lotion, perfume or make up.
- Do not bring valuables to the ASC.
- Bring your glasses and a case for storing them. You will not be able to wear contact lenses during surgery.
- Bring your dentures or hearing aides and cases for storing them.
- You may bring a book or magazine to read before your go into surgery.
- Bring your MGH blue card.
- Plan to arrive at the ASC at the time your surgeon's office instructed you to.
- Go to the second floor of Mass General West and turn right after getting off the elevator. This is the ASC. The phone number is 781-487-2900.
- You will get a gown, robe and slippers to wear. You will also get an identification bracelet, which you should keep on until you leave the ASC.
- Before your surgery you will meet a nurse, an anesthesiologist and a certified nurse anesthesiologist.
WHEN
YOU ARRIVE AT MASS GENERAL WEST:
- Once you have gone to the operating room, your escort or family member may wait for you in our waiting room.
- A cafetaria is located next door at 52 Second Ave.
- Our staff will let your escort or family member know how you are doing and when you will be ready to go home.
IN PREPARATION FOR YOUR SURGERY
IF YOU SMOKE: TRY TO STOP SMOKING.
You will not be able to smoke while in the
ASC. If you would like help with trying to stop smoking call the MGH Quit
Smoking Service at 617-726-7443 or call the Massachusetts Smokers Helpline
at:
1-800-TRY TO STOP
