Do I need to visit the Center before surgery date?
No, but some patients may choose to come to the Center before their surgery date to complete paperwork or make payments.
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May I pre-register for my surgery?
Due to Federal Regulations we must speak with you prior to the day of your procedure. You can anticipate a telephone call a day or two before you surgery.
What if I cannot make my appointment?
Please notify your surgeon and the Marin Specialty Surgery Center at 415-461-4400 as early as possible if you cannot make your scheduled appointment. Early notification can help us better accommodate you and other patients.
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What should I wear?
Wear loose, comfortable clothing such as sweat suits and easy to button shirts or blouses that are big enough to accommodate a large dressing after surgery. Wear comfortable shoes; no high heels, please.
- If you are having knee surgery, large sweat pants, break-a-way gym pants, or big baggy shorts work nicely over bulky knee dressings.
- If you are having shoulder surgery, you may have an immobilizer that prevents you from putting your arm through a sleeve. Bring a large button down collar shirt or jacket. Women can wear halter or tube tops with a big shirt that you can drape over your dressing and immobilizer. Patients sometimes may want to sacrifice an old clean tee shirt. It can be cut on the seam from the waist up through the arm pit on the operative side and draped over the immobilizer and dressing.
- You don’t need to pack any extra clothes. A nurse will provide you with a patient gown, slipper socks and a bag (if you didn't bring your own) to store your clothing in before you are escorted to your bed.
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Why must I refrain from eating and/or drinking prior to surgery?
You refrain from eating and/or drinking prior to surgery in order to prevent the risks of aspirating gastric contents during your surgery. This complication is very serious and you need to strictly abide by our recommendations. This has nothing to do with nausea and vomiting after your surgery as some think. Our policies are specific and are based on safety standard. Your nurse and your anesthesiologist with discuss when you need to stop eating and drinking on your pre op telephone calls.
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Should I take my usual daily medication?
We generally request that you take any medications for your heart, blood pressure or acid reflux at their regularly scheduled times with a sip of water.
People using inhalers must bring them to the Center on the day of surgery.
Diabetics: we will discuss your medication schedule on the pre op calls. Typically oral anti-hyperglycemic drugs will be held pre-operatively. Insulin dependent diabetics should bring their insulin with them to the center.
Blood thinners will need to be stopped before surgery. If you are on coumadin, your doctor may also require you to have blood work done before your procedure.
You will be contacted before your surgery by your pre op nurse and your anesthesiologist to clarify which medications you should and should not take.
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May I continue my herbal medications?
Herbal medications may have harmful effects on the surgery. Many of these remedies may affect your clotting mechanism 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 list.
Will I receive sedation before going into the operating room?
We will individualize each patient's care. Most patients walk into the operating room themselves. Therefore, preoperative medication is minimized.
Will I be contacted before my surgery?
Yes. We must speak with each patient or patient’s guardian before surgery to gather and provide essential information. You can also call MSSC directly with any questions. The anesthesiologist will call you the night before to obtain your medical history and to go over instructions related to your surgery. Please make sure MSSChas an accurate phone numbers to assure contact.
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Should I bathe and wash my hair before leaving home?
Yes. We recommend that you take a shower with the best anti-bacterial soap that you have in the house. Most bar soaps, like Dial, Irish Spring and Lever 2000 have antibacterial properties. There are also antibacterial soaps that are over-the-counter at local pharmacies. Please refrain from marking or shaving any skin near your operative site. Tooth brushing is fine, as long as you avoid swallowing any toothpaste. Please do not use make up, body lotions, hair spray or perfumes.
What should I do if I am not feeling well?
If you are not feeling well, please contact your surgeon immediately. 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 MSSC, 415-461-4400.
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What should I do if I started my menstrual cycle?
This will not affect most surgical procedures. There are a few specific gynecological procedures which may be impacted by menstruation. Call your surgeon right away, if you have any questions.
What should I do if I believe that I am pregnant?
It is very important for us to be aware of this possibility. Most surgeries performed at MSSC are elective. Only essential surgery is done on pregnant patients. If there is any doubt, please contact us immediately.
Women of child bearing age who are uncertain of their pregnancy status will be required to take a pregnancy test before they have their procedure.
May I drive home?
Any patient receiving anesthesia should not drive until the next day. A patient receiving sedation for a procedure needs a ride home. The few patients who have procedures performed under local anesthesia alone can possibly drive home. Even with local sedation or no sedation, it is always wise to have a designated driver available should they be needed.
We require that all patients have a ride home and have a responsible adult available to assist them during their recovery for 24 hours at home. It is against our policy for patients to drive, walk or take public transportation after sedation or anesthesia. Any exceptions to our policy are against medical advice and will require our Medical Director and the performing surgeon to advise the patient about risk management and our policy.
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May I speak to my anesthesiologist before the surgery?
Your assigned anesthesiologist will call you the night before to review your medical history and to go over instructions related to your surgery. Please make sure the Center has an accurate phone number to assure that you will be contacted. All patients will be seen by their anesthesiologist on the day of surgery at their bedside prior to entering the operating room. They will confirm your surgery, review your chart, spend time answering any questions you may have and perform a final evaluation prior to you entering the operating room.
What if I have special needs?
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. Do not hesitate to call and ask questions about anything that might make your day easier. You’re comfort is very important to us.
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Should I bring my special needs equipment?
Yes. Please bring any walkers, post-op crutches, hearing aids, CPAP machines, braces, wheelchairs, or anything else for your comfort and or safety. Call us if you have any questions or concerns.
What must I bring with me on the day of surgery?
- Bring insurance identification cards and a government issued photo ID.
- If you have a co-payment, you may use check or credit card.
- Leave all valuables, including jewelry and extra cash, at home.
- Remove all your jewelry, head to toe, including all metal body piercings.
- Bring medication list with dosages – this can be filled out on your pre-operative questionnaire
- Bring any requested paper work. You may have received an MSSC packet of papers from your doctor’s office. Please read and keep the informational documents and give us back the Patient Questionnaire & Acknowledgement Forms & Surveys.
- Surgery Packet
- Spine Care Packet
- Patient Questionnaire
- Make sure you have a ride home and someone available to care for you at home for 24 hours
- Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing
- Bring case for eyeglasses or contacts
- Any paperwork suggested by your physician (Labs, EKGs, X-rays, etc.)
- You may have been asked to bring post operative equipment such as crutches or an ice machine. If you were not, or you forgot something, no worries, we have everything you need here. When you arrive the receptionist will ask you to sign a "DME", Durable Medical Equipment Form. The DME company, NOT MSSC, will bill your insurance company for any items dispensed. You have the right to refuse equipment. MSSC does not sell equipment. The contact information for the third party dispensing company will be on the "DME" form, along with pricing. If you have any question or concerns, you can contact the DME company directly.
- A small soft tote bag for you belongings. We’re going green, trying to be less wasteful with over use of plastic bags.
- If you routinely use insulin or inhalers, please bring them with you.
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How will my pain be managed?
Your pain management is of great importance to us. We will be assessing your level of pain from the time of admission until you receive our postoperative call at home.
It is essential that we are able to assess your pain level during your stay. Your admission nurse will go over of the scale we use in ranking pain.
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Can MSSC perform my child's surgery?
The Marin Specialty Surgery Center primarily services adults. Depending on the procedure and the patient’s temperament we occasionally consider minors that weigh at least 77 pounds for admission. Parents or guardians are able to stay with their child until surgery and immediately afterward. We encourage parents to discuss the surgery beforehand to help alleviate stress. You may call and schedule a visit and tour prior to the day the procedure. Tour times are best in the late afternoon before 4:00 PM. Please call at least 24 hours in advance to coordinate.