As soon as your surgery is scheduled, our staff begins communicating with you and your physician. A nurse from the center may call at least one day before your surgery to assess your specific needs and concerns, obtain your health history, give you instructions and answer your questions. Please be prepared to tell the nurse all the medications you are currently taking including vitamins, and herbal medications. If you can't be reached by phone, please be sure to call the center at 875-0562 no later than the day prior to your surgery.

You will receive instructions with specific information on fasting (no eating or drinking). Please follow these important preoperative guidelines to help ensure your safety and comfort.

	If you regularly take medications, including aspirin, herbal medications or vitamins, ask your doctor if you should stop taking them prior to surgery. If you were told to take your medications, please take them with no more than the amount of water needed to comfortably swallow the medication.
	If you notice any change in your health, including a scratchy throat, cold or fever, please call your physician and the center at 875-0562 as soon as possible.
	If you are not able to keep your scheduled appointment, please call the center as early as possible.
	If the patient is a minor, at least one of the parents must stay on the premises at all times and must accompany the child home.
	YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE, WALK OR TAKE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION after sedation/anesthesia and your surgery. Please MAKE ADVANCE ARRANGEMENTS TO BE DRIVEN HOME BY A RESPONSIBLE ADULT.
	If you are having general anesthesia, AN ADULT FAMILY MEMBER OR COMPANION MUST STAY WITH YOU for at least the first 12 hours after your surgery.

Please follow these guidelines for the day of your surgery:

	If you do not feel well on the day of your surgery, please call your surgeon and the Center at (813) 875-0562 (813) 875-0562.
	You may take a shower or bath but please do not use make-up, hair spray, nail polish or toiletries.
	You may brush your teeth and gargle on the morning of your surgery.
	Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing, including low-heeled shoes.
	Your attire should be capable of being stored in a large drawstring bag.
	When you arrive we will give you a patient gown and socks to wear during your visit.
	Please leave jewelry and other valuables at home for safekeeping.
	If you wear contact lenses or eyeglasses, please bring a storage case for protection.
	If you normally use any equipment or device for support or assistance, such as a walker or crutches, please bring it with you.
	If needed, we will help you to your driver's car in a wheelchair when you are discharged.
	If you use inhalers, please bring them with you.
	Bring your insurance ID card(s) and one form of picture identification.
	Please leave your home in plenty of time to arrive at the time specified by the facility when your surgery was scheduled.

From the moment you arrive at Tampa Outpatient Surgical Facility your comfort and care are our primary concern. Before surgery you will change into a hospital gown. Your blood pressure and temperature will be taken, an I.V. will be started and an anesthesiologist will evaluate you. You will also have an opportunity to ask questions. One adult family member or companion can stay with you to keep you company in our comfortable preoperative area until it is time for your surgery. At the appropriate time a nurse will escort you to the operating room. After surgery, we'll let your visitor know when it is time to see you in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (Recovery Room). If your visitor leaves at any time, HE OR SHE MUST LEAVE A PHONE NUMBER and be capable of being reached when you are ready to be discharged.

After surgery, your recover will take place in the comfortable atmosphere of the facility's Post Anesthesia Care Unit (Recovery Room). Your anesthesiologist will closely monitor your condition assisted by specially trained nurses and state-of-the-art equipment. As soon as you feel up to it, one adult visitor will be invited to join you.

When your anesthesiologist determines that you are ready to go home, a nurse will give you written instructions for recovery at home as well as any prescriptions left by your surgeon. Once you are dressed and ready to leave, you will be escorted outside to your driver.

Recovery from surgery takes time, so plan on getting some rest. It's best if you can make arrangements to have an adult family member or companion help out. In addition to the instructions that will be given to you when you are discharged, it is especially important that you follow these guidelines for at least 24 hours after your surgery:

	Call your surgeon if you have any unusual symptoms or unexpected changes in your condition.
	Do not take any medication other that those prescribed by your physician.
	Avoid all alcoholic beverages, including beer.
	Do not drive a car and do not operate machinery or heavy equipment.
	We recommend that you avoid signing any legal documents.

A nurse may call you one or two days after surgery to see how you're doing and talk about any question or concerns you may have. We welcome your feedback, so if you receive our patient survey please fill it out and return it at your earliest convenience.

If you are interested in providing feedback about any aspect of your visit to our facility or submitting general comments please use the contact us page of this website.

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