Before Your Surgery

Pre-surgery instructions

Once your surgeon has scheduled your appointment at Surgicenter:

1. One of our nurses will contact you two to three days before the day of the surgery.
2. He or she will ask you questions and give you information, including the time of surgery, when to arrive and when to stop eating and drinking before surgery.

Patient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities

Prior to your surgery, please review the Patient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities. If you have any questions, a Surgicenter staff member will be glad to discuss them with you at the time of your appointment. You will be asked to acknowledge in writing that you have received and reviewed the document.

These instructions are important and must be followed or the surgery will be canceled.

Please note that you may need to have lab tests and a physical completed by your family physician prior to your surgery.

You can help us ensure your safety during your upcoming surgery by carefully following these instructions.

1. If you are having general anesthesia or any sedatives, Surgicenter requires that you have someone available to drive you home. Anesthesia and sedatives will leave you drowsy and may dull your senses for a period of time, even after your stay in the recovery room. We don't want you to be a hazard to yourself or other motorists, so please arrange for transportation home before you arrive at Surgicenter.
   
2. Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Do not wear jewelry, body piercings or contact lenses.
   
3. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the evening before your surgery. Food and beverages produce chemical reactions in the body that may cause problems with the monitoring of your procedure or with the procedure itself. Even an "innocent" snack can result in having your surgery rescheduled. Do not drink alcoholic beverages 24 hours before surgery. Alcohol, combined with our anesthetic and sedation drugs, can make you very sick. Patients who arrive under the influence of any substance will have their surgery rescheduled. If you must take daily medication and your surgery starts later in the afternoon, please talk to a Surgicenter nurse before your surgery.
   
4. Taking medications of any kind can also pose problems. For example, aspirin thins the blood, which can present an unnecessary risk during surgery. Depending on your procedure, you may be asked to stop taking aspirin for up to 10 days prior to surgery. We also need to know about any vitamin or herbal supplements that you may be taking. Please have a list of supplements and medications ready when a surgicenter nurse contacts you before your surgery.
   
5. If you have any questions, please call surgicenter at (414) 328-5800 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Payment options

Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Surgicenter  provides the highest quality care at the lowest possible cost.

Contact your insurance company before the day of surgery. They may need to authorize the care before it is provided.

Your bill from surgicenter will include charges for the use of the operating room, recovery room, nursing staff and supplies for surgery and anesthesia. Your surgeon, and when applicable, your radiologist, anesthesiologist and pathologist, will bill you separately for their services.

Surgicenter accepts most HMOs, many other health plans, Medicare and Medicaid. Be aware, some types of surgical procedures, such as cosmetic and dental, may not be fully covered by insurance. Please bring insurance information with you. Our staff is available to answer questions and help you with your payment arrangements prior to surgery.

We accept Mastercard and Visa, as well as cash or money orders. Patients not fully covered by their insurance plans should make financial arrangements before the day of surgery.

Surgicenter is approved by most insurance companies. Call for more information at (414) 328-5800.

Tens of thousands of patients have entrusted their care to us. We have been successful only because we strive to satisfy the individual needs of our patients, one at a time, in a convenient, safe and comfortable environment. From all of us at surgicenter, we appreciate the opportunity to care for you.