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Meridian Surgery Center

For Patients

Outpatient surgery at Meridian

Learn more about what you can expect with outpatient surgery at Meridian Surgery Center, from your pre-operative phone call to the day of your procedure.

  1. Step 1

    Pre-operatively

    Expect a pre-operative phone call at least 2 days prior to your surgery. During this call we need the following information:

    • The name and phone number of your escort on the day of surgery.Keep in mind you will need someone to bring you in, take you home and stay with you for at least 24 hours. You will not be permitted to drive yourself home or take any kind of taxi or public transportation.
    • Any assistive devices you wear.This includes dentures, hearing aids, glasses, or any other removable devices.
    • A complete medical history, including previous surgeries.
    • The names and doses of all medications you are currently taking at home, including supplements.We will discuss with you which medications you can and cannot take the morning of surgery.
    • Medication allergies.
    • Any tests or clearances your physician requested.We will ask whether your physician requested any laboratory tests, EKG, MRI or any medical clearances that may be medically indicated for your particular surgery.

  2. Step 2

    One day pre-operatively

    • Do not eat or drink anything, including water, after 11:59 PM the night before surgery.This includes chewing gum, mints and hard candy. You must have as little food, drink or stomach acid in your stomach as possible at the time of anesthesia and surgery. It takes at least six to eight hours for food and drink to leave the stomach and enter the intestines, so by not eating or drinking after 11:59 PM your stomach should be empty by the time of anesthesia and surgery. This decreases the chances that you will experience nausea, vomiting or an upset stomach with anesthesia. If you take certain medicines regularly in the morning, exceptions may be made to allow you to take them with small sips of water on the morning of surgery. We will discuss which medications you may take during your pre-operative call.
    • Avoid alcohol and cigarettes for at least 24 hours prior to your surgery.
    • Prepare a place where you can comfortably rest when you return home.Keep in mind a bathroom should be close by and stairs should be avoided for safety reasons.
    • Have ice ready.Most surgeries performed at our center require the application of ice after surgery. Have either your ice machine ready to bring into the center the morning of surgery, or ice packs prepared in the freezer for your return home.

  3. Step 3

    Day of surgery

    • Arrive promptly at your requested arrival time.During your pre-operative call we will give you an arrival time and the time that your surgery starts, so that we can appropriately prepare you for surgery.
    • Check in with our front office staff.When you arrive at the center you will be welcomed by our front office administrative staff, who will ask you to fill out the proper paperwork for surgery.
    • Sign your consent forms in our admitting area.A nurse will take you from the waiting room to our admitting area where you will sign the required consent forms for your surgery.
    • Get ready for surgery.The nurse will assist you in changing into a gown, then obtain vital signs and IV access. During this short time your family or friend will wait in the waiting room.

    Remember to bring

    • Insurance card and photo ID
    • A responsible adult to drive you home, and with whom we can discuss discharge instructions
    • Comfortable clothes and shoes
    • A case for your glasses, contacts, dentures or hearing aids (if you wear them)
    • Any equipment identified by your surgeon, such as a neck collar, shoulder sling, knee brace, ankle brace, shoe, walker or ice machine
    • For patients under the age of 18, a parent or guardian who will be present in the surgery center during the entire surgical stay

    Be prepared by

    • Leaving valuables such as jewelry or electronics at home
    • Not wearing make-up, and making sure nail polish is removed
    • Not using lotions, creams, aftershave or perfume
    • Not using hairspray, mousse or gels
    • Not shaving or using deodorant near the site of surgery
    • Taking off all body piercings

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. Your pre-operative call is the best time to ask anything specific to your surgery.

Can I drive myself home after surgery?

No. You will need a responsible adult to bring you in, take you home and stay with you for at least 24 hours. You will not be permitted to drive yourself home or take a taxi or public transportation.

Can I eat or drink before my surgery?

Do not eat or drink anything, including water, chewing gum, mints and hard candy, after 11:59 PM the night before surgery. An empty stomach lowers the chance of nausea or vomiting with anesthesia. If you take certain medicines in the morning, we will tell you during your pre-operative call whether you may take them with small sips of water.

When will I hear from the surgery center before my procedure?

Expect a pre-operative phone call at least 2 days before your surgery. We will confirm your medical history, medications, allergies, your escort, and any tests your physician requested, and we will give you your arrival time.

What should I bring on the day of surgery?

Bring your insurance card and photo ID, a responsible adult to drive you home, comfortable clothes and shoes, a case for glasses, contacts, dentures or hearing aids, and any equipment your surgeon identified, such as a brace, sling, walker or ice machine.

What should I avoid on the day of surgery?

Leave valuables at home. Do not wear make-up or nail polish, lotions, creams, aftershave, perfume, hairspray, mousse or gels. Do not shave or use deodorant near the surgical site, and remove all body piercings.

Can my child have surgery at Meridian Surgery Center?

Patients under the age of 18 need a parent or guardian present in the surgery center during the entire surgical stay.

Questions about your upcoming visit?

Our team is happy to help you prepare. Call us and we will walk you through what to expect.

Call 240-850-3170

Fax 240-513-4540