For Patients

Before Surgery Preparation

If you have any special requests (i.e. disabilities, language translation, etc.), please call our Corporate Office at (818)937-9969 and let us know what your specific needs are. We will be happy to accommodate you!​

Transportation: You must have transportation available for pickup. Uber, taxi, or other private car service is not acceptable if you are attempting to go home alone. If you need transportation arranged, please call our corporate office at (818) 937-9969.

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Eating Restrictions

• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night prior to your surgery. This includes solid foods, gum, candy, liquids and dairy products of any kind. This restriction is because anything in your stomach may cause serious, even life-threatening complications when anesthesia is administered. If you have eaten or drank anything after midnight, your procedure may have to be re-scheduled.
• Children under two years of age can have sugar water up to three hours before surgery.
• Please follow all preparation instructions given to you by your Doctor and Pre-Operative Nurse. If you are taking meds please consult with your Doctor for instructions.

Hygiene and Appearance

• Please take a bath or shower either the night before or morning of your surgery.
• Brush your teeth, being careful not to swallow any liquid.
• Wear loose-fitting, easily removable clothes that will fit over bandages and splints. Avoid wearing jeans/denim of any kind.
• Do not apply makeup or hair products of any kind. Lotions and deodorants should not be applied near the surgery area.
• All watches, rings, necklaces, earrings and body piercings must be removed prior to surgery. Better yet, leave them at home.
• Remove contact lenses prior to surgery. Bring a lens container, or eyeglasses, if needed to read and sign your forms.

Call us Before Day of Surgery

• Time of surgery and medical history. Please call (818) 946-7800 between 10:00am and 3:00pm one business day before your surgery to receive your pre-operative instructions and to review your medical history with our staff.
• We ask that you arrive one hour prior to surgery to complete and sign consent forms.
• If you have any serious medical problems or have recently developed a cold, fever, sore throat or any other condition that you believe might affect your readiness for surgery, please tell us during your telephone interview.

On the Day of Surgery

• Your Photo Identification (Driver License, State I.D. or Passport).
• Insurance Card(s), if applicable.
• Cash, Credit Card or Personal Check for any owed deductibles, co-pays or self-pay procedures.
• Bring the completed ‘Patient Information’ form filled out as best you can. You may fill the forms online, or elect to fill it out in person upon arrival.
• Storage cases for eyeglasses, contact lenses and solution, dentures or hearing aids, as you may be asked to remove these items when you dress for the procedure.
• If you are on oxygen or use a CPAP/BIPAP at home (and are having general anesthesia), please bring it with you.
• Please limit only one adult visitor per patient and one or both parents for children under 18.
• Please do not bring young children, if possible.

Types of Anesthesia

May be discussed with Anesthesiologist prior to going into surgery. Types of anesthesia fall into three categories:

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• Local Anesthesia is an injection of a numbing medicine at the operative site
• Regional Anesthesia is an injection to numb an entire limb or lower body
• General Anesthesia is medicine given through an IV catheter to ease you to sleep, after which you breathe an anesthetic to keep you asleep

You may also receive other forms of medication through an IV to help you relax during local and regional anesthesia.

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After The Surgery

The average length of stay following surgery is an hour or two, but this may be shorter for children or adults who have brief procedures. You must have a responsible adult give you a ride home and arrange to have someone stay with you following surgery. Also, for the first 24 hours after surgery, follow your doctor’s instructions carefully and:

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• Don’t stay alone
• Don’t operate an automobile or other power equipment
• Don’t sign legal documents or make important decisions
• Don’t care for a dependent person
• Don’t drink alcohol or take any medication that your doctor didn’t prescribe