Prior to the Day of Your Surgery

You will receive a registration telephone call prior to the day of your scheduled surgery. A nurse will speak with you to complete a pre-surgery evaluation and answer any of your questions.

If you have COVID or are experiencing fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea within 48 hours of surgery, please call your surgeon’s office or the Pre-surgical Testing (PST) team.

Begin using an antibacterial soap like Hibiclens, Dial Antibacterial, Lever 2000 or Safeguard Antibacterial Soap daily for 5 consecutive days prior to your surgery. Please ensure all soaps are antibacterial. Bathe or shower the night before surgery.

If the doctor requires you to have lab tests, EKG and x-rays before surgery, please make sure you have the tests completed prior to your date of surgery to avoid cancellation or delay on the day of surgery.

The Braselton Surgery Center reception desk is available for service between the hours of 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Center is closed on weekends and holidays.

Here is a link to the Surgery Center Patient Rights and Responsibilities and Privacy Practices.  Please review these prior to the day of surgery and contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Diet Instructions Before Surgery

  • DO NOT EAT ANYTHING after midnight on the day before your surgery unless otherwise instructed by your physician. You may have clear liquids 2 hours prior to arrival. Examples of clear liquids include: water, black coffee, tea (no milk/cream), clear electrolyte drinks (Powerade or Gatorade) and clear fruit juice. This will help reduce the risk of nausea and vomiting and reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonia.
  • Medication Instructions Before Surgery: It is recommended to discontinue non-essential vitamins and herbal supplements for 7 days prior to surgery. Take your usual medications with a sip of water the morning of your procedure unless otherwise instructed. The exceptions are medications for diabetes which should not be taken the day of surgery and blood thinners (Coumadin, Plavix, etc.) which should be stopped as instructed by your physician (usually 5-7 days prior to the procedure).

Avoid taking any NSAID products (Ibuprofen, Aleve, Motrin, Advil, Celebrex, Mobic, Diclofenac, Voltaren, etc.) for 5 days prior to procedure unless otherwise specified by your doctor. If you use an inhaler, please bring with you the day of surgery. Do not take PDE-5 inhibitor medications (Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, etc.) for 48 hours prior to your surgery. Please notify your PST Nurse of ANY medication you are taking for weight loss. This is important to ensure your safety during surgery.

What to Bring to Your Surgery

  • Bring your surgery packet of completed paperwork, driver’s license, insurance card and a list of your current medications with dosages.
  • You must have an adult present to take you home and stay with you for 24 hours after surgery. Your surgery may be cancelled or rescheduled if no one is present. This is to ensure your safety once you have been discharged. If you have a legal guardian or have given someone power of attorney, they will need to bring a copy of this paperwork to the Surgery Center. If you have advanced directives or a living will, please bring a copy with you to the surgery center.
  • Bring eyeglasses if needed.

On the Day of Your Surgery

  • Please arrive at the Center at the time specified. Pre-operative time allows for registration, any pre-operative testing, preparation, assessment and adjustment in surgery schedule.
  • You must have someone drive you to and from your surgery, as you will not be able to operate a vehicle following sedations.
  • Wear comfortable shoes and loose fitting, comfortable clothes.
  • Brush your teeth on the morning of your surgery.
  • Do not use gum, mouthwash, mints or hard candy.
  • If you wear dentures/partials, do not use denture adhesive. Your dentures/partials must be removed prior to surgery. Please bring a container for their safekeeping.
  • Do not wear makeup, hairspray or contact lenses on the day of surgery for safety reasons. Leave all valuables and jewelry at home.
  • DO NOT use tobacco products (including smokeless tobacco) within 12 hours of surgery.
  • If you use a CPAP machine, bring it with you and leave it in your vehicle.

When You Arrive

  • Parking is conveniently located adjacent to the building.
  • Please stop at the Surgery Center registration desk, and from there your registration will be completed.
  • Once registration is completed, we will escort you to the patient care area.
  • While you are having your procedure, a family member or friend may wait in the waiting area but should not leave the premises.
  • To help prevent adverse events, the Surgical Services Team will use two forms of patient identification. These may include your name and date of birth. Staff may ask you to verify this information for your safety several times during your stay. Staff will also ask you to verify your allergies frequently during your stay.

Before Your Surgery

  • Your nurse will check your temperature, pulse, respirations and blood pressure and will verify your health history information and medications. You will be asked to sign consent forms. Pre-operative medications may be given at this time. You will be asked to change into a gown.
  • If your doctor has ordered tests that have not already been completed, they will be performed.
  • Your anesthesia provider will review your medical history and your test results (if applicable) and visit with you.
  • Your family may join you upon completion of the nursing assessment and testing and after your procedure.
  • Your surgical site may be marked in ink by your physician. If you refuse, or if your surgical site cannot be marked, an alternative method of verification may be used.
  • You will be asked to empty your bladder prior to going to the operating room. A specimen may be needed prior to surgery. If you need to void, please check with your nurse prior to doing so.
  • You may be given sedation or medication to help you relax prior to being transported to the operating room. Do not be concerned that you are not “asleep” during the transportation process. You will be anesthetized or “put to sleep” by an Anesthesiologist after you arrive into the operating room.
  • When it’s time for surgery, you will be taken to the operating suite by a surgical nurse. The amount of time in surgery depends on your particular procedure.
  • After surgery, you will return to the patient care area. The nurses will monitor your recovery and care for you until your condition allows for your family/friend to join you.
  • Your surgeon will talk to your family members on your progress immediately after surgery.

After Your Surgery

  • You will be transported back to the Preop/Postop unit for recovery immediately after your surgery. Your postop nurse will take your blood pressure and pulse frequently. You may have oxygen after surgery and your heart and oxygen level will be monitored.
  • Your pain will be assessed using an appropriate pain scale. The surgical services team will make every effort to maintain your post-operative pain at a tolerable level.
  • Your diet may be restricted after surgery to reduce post-operative nausea and vomiting.
  • Do not attempt to get up without assistance immediately after surgery to reduce your risk of falling. You may need help to sit up in a chair and walk after surgery. Remember, it is very important to gradually increase your activity and to cough and deep breathe frequently after surgery to reduce the risk of post-operative blood clots and pneumonia.
  • You may consider bringing a pillow/blanket to increase your comfort during the ride home. Please leave these in the car. 
  • When your condition meets the discharge criteria for your physician and the Center, you will be prepared for discharge.
  • Your nurse will review home care information with you and your family/friend.
  • It is important to ask your physician to give you information about:
    • DietActivityMedicationsDressingsPain managementFollow-up doctor visitsReturning to workShowering or bathing
  • Lifting

Recovery At Home

It is very important that you follow your home care instructions. Call your doctor for any questions or problems.

If you receive general anesthesia, regional block, or IV sedations, you must have someone stay at the Surgery Center, drive you home and stay with you for 24 hours after your procedure.

You may receive medications during your surgical experience that can interfere with hormonal birth control, making it less effective. You should plan to use a second, non-hormonal method of birth control (i.e. condoms or spermicides) for 28 days after surgery.

Due to the effects of anesthesia, you should not drive a car, operate machinery, make important legal decisions or drink any alcoholic beverages for 24 hours following surgery.

Be sure to schedule and keep a post-operative appointment with your surgeon.

Anesthesia Information

  • Local Anesthesia: Numbing the tissues with medication at the exact spot where surgery is required.
  • Local Anesthesia with Intravenous (IV) Sedation: Numbing the tissue and giving medication into your vein to make you more relaxed, drowsy and comfortable. May include the attendance of an anesthesia provider.
  • General Anesthesia; the administration of medication by the anesthesia provider to make you completely unaware of any sensations throughout your entire body.
  • Regional Block, Spinal: Numbing the specific part of the body that will undergo surgery. Performed by the anesthesia provider. (Often includes intravenous sedation.)