Preparing for Surgery

Step 1

Pre-Surgical Phone Call

A nurse will call you approximately one week before your surgery. This call is an important part of your care — please plan to be available for it. If you have not heard from us three business days before your procedure, please call us at 248-662-1500. Patients under 18 require a parent or guardian on the call.

During this call, the nurse will gather information about:

• Your current health status, cardiac or breathing conditions, diabetes, and medication use
• Your surgical history, any prior anesthesia reactions, and existing implants
• All current prescriptions, supplements, and over-the-counter medications
• Drug, food, latex, and adhesive allergies
• Any special needs and your preferred contact numbers

We will also provide your surgical preparation instructions and answer any questions you have.

Step 2

Pre-Surgical Instructions

Following these instructions carefully helps ensure your surgery goes smoothly and safely. Your clinical team will confirm the specifics during your pre-surgical call, as some instructions may vary based on your procedure and health history.

Eating & Drinking

• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery — this includes water, chewing gum, and mints. Failure to follow this instruction may result in cancellation of your procedure
• Brushing your teeth and gargling are permitted
• You must abstain from alcohol, smoking, and recreational drugs for at least 24 hours before your surgery

Medications

• You will receive specific medication instructions from your surgeon's office prior to your procedure — follow those exactly
• Bring your inhaler to the facility if you use one
• Bring a complete list of all medications and dosages on the day of surgery

Personal Preparation

• Shower using antimicrobial soap the night before and the morning of surgery
• Do not shave the surgical site for two days prior to your procedure
• Do not wear contact lenses, cosmetics, nail polish, jewelry, or body piercings
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing

Day of Surgery

• A responsible adult must remain at the facility throughout your entire stay
• Minors require a parent or legal guardian present with proof of guardianship
• We will call you between 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM the day before your procedure to give you your arrival time — disregard any time given by your physician's office
• If you are feeling ill in the days before surgery, contact your surgeon's office right away — we may need to reschedule

Step 3

When You Get Home

Recovering at home is one of the key benefits of outpatient surgery. What you experience after surgery will depend on your specific procedure and anesthesia — your care team will go over your individual discharge instructions before you leave.

What to Expect

• It is common to feel drowsy, have muscle aches, a sore throat, headache, or dizziness after anesthesia — these effects decline rapidly in the hours following surgery, but may take several days to resolve completely
• Plan to rest for several days — most patients feel tired or uncomfortable and should take it easy until they feel back to normal
• Do not drive or make important decisions for 24 hours following your procedure

Follow-Up

• A member of our nursing staff will call you within 24–48 hours after surgery to check on your recovery
• Contact your surgeon's office directly with any questions about activity restrictions, return-to-work timing, or documentation you may need