OUTPATIENT SERVICES
WHAT IS OUTPATIENT SURGERY?
Outpatient surgery, also referred to as ambulatory surgery, is surgery that does not require an overnight hospital stay. Patients may go home after being released following surgery and time spent in the recovery room. Due to increased technological advances in surgical instruments such as the arthroscope and laparoscope, more orthopedists are performing surgery in their offices or in other outpatient settings, primarily ambulatory clinics or surgical centers.
HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR OUTPATIENT SURGERY?
Preparing for outpatient surgery varies with the surgical procedure to be performed. There are, however, a few common guidelines to most outpatient surgeries. Patients should be in good health, cold, fever, chills, or flu symptoms are all reasons to postpone a procedure, and surgical candidates should notify their orthopedist if such conditions exist.
Patients should check with their orthopedist for all information covering preparation for outpatient procedures. A near-universal requirement is to have a family member or friend take charge of delivering the outpatient to surgery, either to wait there or to arrive in time to pick up the patient on release from recovery. The evening before, a light meal is recommended to preoperative patients, no alcoholic beverages for a full day before surgery. Nothing is to be taken by mouth after midnight of the day preceding surgery. Smokers should stop or cut back on smoking prior to surgery. Loose-fitting clothing is recommended, and it is advised to bring enough money along to cover postoperative prescription drugs.
WHAT WILL I EXPERIENCE DURING AND AFTER OUTPATIENT SURGERY?
The surgical team will administer medicine (anesthesia) so you won’t feel pain. The medicine will block the pain only in one part of the body (regional). The orthopedic surgeon will then perform your outpatient surgery. After, you will be moved to a recovery room for one to two hours until you are fully awake or the numbness goes away. A friend or family member will escort you home upon release from recovery.
You may have some temporary pain in the area of your surgery. The pain can be helped with postoperative medications and should subside in a few weeks or months. Physical therapy can begin shortly after surgery to help strengthen muscles and help you regain movement. The success of your surgery depends a lot on what you do when you come home. Follow your doctor’s advice about diet, medications, and exercise. Talk with your doctor about any pain or difficulty moving.