Patient & visitor guide

What to expect at Oaks Surgical Center.

This page is a practical overview of a typical outpatient visit. Your surgeon, anesthesia provider, and our nursing staff will give you instructions that apply to your procedure. When those instructions differ from anything here, follow your care team.

If you feel unwell in the days before surgery—fever, cough, or other new symptoms—call your physician. If you cannot reach that office, call the center at (832) 571-1237.

Quiet recovery room with made hospital beds and wall-mounted monitors

Your visit

Before, during, and after the procedure.

Before surgery

You may hear from more than one person: a nurse for a health review and arrival time, the business office about copays or deductibles, and sometimes your anesthesia provider.

Bring photo ID, insurance cards, and a list of medications (with doses).
Bring inhalers, insulin, or other medicines you may need that day.
Leave jewelry and valuables at home.
Arrange an adult to drive you home. You will not be discharged to drive yourself.
Follow eating, drinking, and medication instructions exactly. Skipping them can delay or cancel the case.
Tell your physician, anesthesiologist, and nurse if you might be pregnant.

Day of surgery

Wear loose clothing that is easy to change. Skip jewelry, nail polish, and cosmetics when you can. Store contact lenses in a case if you must wear them to the building.

Arrive at the time given on your pre-operative call—not earlier than asked.
Check-in is usually brief because much of your information is collected in advance.
A nurse will review your history, take vitals, and start an IV if your procedure requires one.
You will confirm the procedure and the surgical site with your team. Speak up if anything sounds wrong.
A family member can often sit with you in pre-op; ask the nurse if you would like someone nearby.
Do not smoke the day of surgery; it can interfere with anesthesia and recovery.

Anesthesia

Your anesthesia provider will review options that fit your procedure and medical history. Those options may include local anesthesia, sedation, regional anesthesia, or general anesthesia.

Ask about risks that matter to you before you go back to the operating room.
Fasting rules exist to reduce the chance of inhaling stomach contents under anesthesia. They are not optional.
You may receive a separate bill from the anesthesia group or from a laboratory if those services are used.

After surgery

Nurses will watch your vital signs as the anesthetic wears off. Once you are alert and stable, visitors can usually join you in recovery. Children may have slightly different visiting arrangements—ask the staff.

Stay until the team is comfortable sending you home; recovery time varies.
Eat lightly and drink fluids unless your surgeon gives other diet rules. Avoid alcohol.
Take pain medicine as directed, before discomfort becomes severe.
Keep the incision clean as instructed. Wash your hands; ask others to do the same.
If you have warning symptoms from your discharge papers, call your physician, go to an emergency department, or dial 911.
Transfer to a hospital is uncommon but can happen if you need more support than an outpatient center can provide.

Patient’s hand with an IV catheter and pulse oximeter during outpatient surgery

Safety

Your part in a safer procedure.

Confirm the siteYou will be asked more than once which procedure you are having and where. That repetition is deliberate.
Shower as instructedYour nurse may ask you to shower with an antibacterial soap the night before and the morning of surgery. Do not shave the surgical area unless your physician tells you to.
ChildrenA stuffed animal or blanket is welcome. It helps to have a second adult in the car on the way home.
Questions about your conditionThe center cannot replace your physician. Call your surgeon’s office for medical advice.

Oaks Surgical Center does not provide medical consultations. For an emergency, call 911.