It is important that all inpatient and outpatient surgery patients undergo both of the following in advance of their procedure:
Payment
Any co-pay or deductible for your procedure is due at the time of your pre-surgery visit.
Payments may be made by cash, check or credit card. If you are unable to pay at the appointment, you will need to contact our financial counselor at 225-215-7466.
Pre-Surgery Hospital Visit
Either you or your physician's office will schedule your pre-surgery visit. During this process, we gather information about your medical and surgical history, and provide instructions about how to prepare for your upcoming surgery. We work to be as efficient as possible; however, this appointment can take one or two hours.
We encourage all patients to schedule an office visit. However, with your physician's approval we are able to pre-register over the phone.
Your admission paperwork is done at this time, including signing consent forms and legal documents required for each hospital admission.
Please bring the following:
- Your complete medical and surgical history.
- A list of all medications, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, and dosage information.
- A list of any allergies to medicines, food, latex, dust, pollen or other sources.
- The names and telephone numbers of your primary care physician and any specialists you are seeing.
- Your insurance card and driver's license.
- A copy of your Health Care Proxy or Living Will, if applicable.
During your visit, you will:
- Complete forms about your health.
- Be weighed and have your height measured.
- Complete any tests requested by your doctor, which can include vital signs, blood tests, urine tests and/or an EKG.
- Undergo a nursing assessment and receive pre- and post-operative information about your surgery.
Pre-Surgery Doctor Visit
Knowing what to expect helps relieve any anxiety you may have about your surgery. At your pre-surgery appointment with your doctor, discuss the following:
- Address any questions you have, and inform him of all medical conditions in order to determine if additional medical clearance is needed.
- If you smoke, discuss whether medication (patches, pills, nasal spray) will be needed during your hospital stay to help you cope with not smoking. Woman’s is a smoke-free environment.
- Notify all of your other doctors that you are going to have surgery and ask if any medications that they prescribe need to be continued at the hospital.
- Tell your doctor ALL medications you are taking, including prescription, nonprescription, herbs, diet pills and vitamins.
- Ask your doctor when to stop taking any of these medications before your surgery.
- If your doctor gives you a prescription for medicine you will need after your surgery. Have this filled in advance so that you will have it when you get home.
If you feel sick (fever, sore throat or any type of infection) between now and the time for your surgery, tell your doctor. Do not wait until the day of your surgery.