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Before Surgery

Welcome! You have been scheduled for a procedure at Mississippi Valley Surgery Center. This page will provide you with information that will assist you in preparing for your procedure.

Registration

You will need to be sure to register with Mississippi Valley Surgery Center prior to the day of your procedure. Registering prior to your procedure prepares our staff for your arrival on surgery day. Please register as soon as your surgery is scheduled.  Click here for more information on how to register.

Preparing for your procedure

The day before your procedure, please be aware of the following:

  • A nurse from Mississippi Valley Surgery Center will call you the business day before your procedure between 1:30-3:30 pm to inform you of the arrival time and instructions for your procedure. If you are unavailable to take the call, the nurse will leave a message with all information included.
  • Drink plenty of fluids up until midnight to make sure you are hydrated.
  • You are strongly encouraged not to smoke or drink alcohol for 24 hours before your procedure.
  • You may need to arrange for someone to stay with you at home on the night of your procedure.  In addition, if you have children in your care, you may need to arrange babysitting for at least 24 hours after your return home.
  • We require that you have a designated driver to take you home on the day of your procedure unless you are only receiving local anesthesia.  You may not go home alone in a taxi or on public transportation.  If you do not have a designated driver available, your procedure will need to be rescheduled or cancelled.
  • Call your doctor immediately if there are any changes in your health condition, such as fever or cold.
  • MEDICATIONS: Check with your doctor about the medications you are taking.  Ask your doctor if and when you should stop taking your routine medications including vitamins, over-the-counter medications, and/or herbal preparations before your procedure.

Financial

The following information will be reviewed with you related to the financial arrangements for your procedure.

  • Copy of insurance cards or work comp authorization required.
  • If you have a high deductible, co-payment due at time of service, or are self-pay, you be contacted via phone, email, and/or text message prior to your procedure to make arrangements for payment.
  • Please be aware that you will receive multiple bills related to your procedure.  Separate bills will be produced related to MVSC (facility), your surgeon, anesthesia provider, applicable durable medical equipment, pathology tests, lab tests or other tests prior to procedure.

Day of procedure

  • DO NOT eat or drink anything (including water, gum, and hard candy) after midnight the night before your procedure unless otherwise indicated by our staff.
  • Please arrive at your designated time (according to your reminder call).  The operating room is a very dynamic place and the schedule can either speed up or slow down depending on the day.  We ask that you arrive at the surgery center at the designated time because if your surgeon gets ahead of schedule, we can get you in sooner.  Please be aware that sometimes the opposite occurs and you may have to wait a little longer.  We will be sure to keep you updated throughout the process as to your expected time of procedure.
  • Please be sure to bring your driver license and insurance cards with you.
  • Please be prepared to pay any applicable co-pays or deductibles.
  • Take only the medications that you were instructed by the nurse or surgeon to take—with a sip of water.
  • Please shower the day of your procedure to reduce the chance for infection.  DO NOT apply lotion.  (This does not apply to joint replacement patients, see handbook for showering instructions.)
  • Be sure to wear loose, comfortable clothing.  Bring cases for glasses and do not wear contact lenses, dentures and hearing aids, as you will be asked to remove them prior to your procedure.  Please DO NOT wear or bring jewelry, body piercings, or other valuables.
  • If the patient is an infant or child, we encourage that they bring along a favorite toy or blanket to make them feel more at home.  If your child uses a sippy cup or bottle, please bring one with you so it’s available after the procedure.
  • During your procedure, your visitor may wait in your room. Only one visitor is allowed in the facility at this time. Children must have at least one parent or guardian in the facility at all times through the procedure period.
  • You will be given information after your procedure in order to prepare for your recovery at home, including: any new medications you will be taking, warning signs for which to call your doctor, your follow-up care, any limitations of activities and/or any special equipment needs.
  • A nurse from Mississippi Valley Surgery Center will call you the next business day following your procedure to check on your recovery at home and answer any questions you may have.