Once you have a date scheduled for surgery, Sonya will mail you a pre-operative instruction packet. She will also arrange a pre-operative appointment for you with our Physician Assistant, Kristin Polega, PA-C.
Additionally, we will email you a link to "Emmi" – an interactive, online patient education system, which we ask that you complete prior to your pre-operative visit. This program will teach you more about your procedure and what to expect. The program also provides two videos about anesthesia and medications that will better prepare you for your big day. This process will encourage you to identify any questions you may have and bring them to your pre-operative appointment.
PRE-OPERATIVE VISIT
During your pre-operative visit, Kristin will take a brief medical history and discuss any required laboratory tests or procedures. You will also receive any prescriptions you will need for after your surgery.
What to expect on the day of surgery, how to prepare for surgery, and the post-operative healing process will be discussed at length. Additional pre-procedure photos may also be taken during this appointment. Lastly, you will sign your surgical summary packet as well as any insurance paperwork, if necessary. Kristin will be there to answer any questions you may have about your upcoming procedure and recovery.
A day or two before your surgery, Dr. Gerardo Martinez, our anesthesiologist, will call you to discuss your anesthesia plan, and to answer any anesthesia or pain-related questions you have.
DAY OF SURGERY
Preparation for Surgery
Your surgery will be performed at our Medicare-certified outpatient surgery center, which is located within our office suite. On the day of your surgery, you will be greeted by our nursing staff who will complete some registration paperwork with you. Then you will enter the pre-operative area, change into a surgical gown, and meet our anesthesiologist, Dr. Martinez. He will begin your I.V. and make sure that you are comfortable. You will also have another chance to meet with Dr. Cassileth prior to surgery to discuss with her your surgical plan in detail. Together you will discuss the areas that your surgery will affect, and Dr. Cassileth will draw markings on your skin with a surgical marking pen. Once you and Dr. Cassileth agree on the markings, and all your questions are answered, Dr. Martinez and our nursing staff will take you into the operating room for your procedure.
After SurgeryWhen you wake up from surgery, you will remain in our recovery area for about 60 to 90 minutes. During this time, our nursing staff will monitor you, help make sure you are comfortable, and then get you ready to go home or to your aftercare facility. Our nursing staff will instruct you on how to care for your surgical area(s), review your medications, and answer your questions about your post-operative care.
FOLLOW-UP CAREThe timing of your first post-operative appointment, as well as any necessary subsequent appointments, depends on the type of procedure you have had. At the first post-op appointment, which can be anywhere from one to ten days after surgery, you will see Dr. Cassileth. During this visit she will check to make sure you are healing as expected. If you have any sutures, drains, or pain pumps, they will be managed and removed by Kristin, in the exam room. During your recovery and between post-op appointments, if you have any questions you can always call Kristin via telephone (310.278.8200) or e-mail (kristin@drcassileth.com).
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