At Ashton Center for Day Surgery, we strive to make sure our patients are well informed in addition to well-cared for. In order to make your experience a good one, we have provided a series of frequently asked questions to help you be better prepared for both before and after your surgery…
WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?
1800 McDonough Rd
Hoffman Estates, IL 60192
WILL MY PROCEDURE BE COVERED BY MY INSURANCE?
Ashton Center for Day Surgery is fully licensed by the state of Illinois and approved by Medicare. We accept most commercial insurances. Overall, your allowable charges, which will include the facility fee, and laboratory fees, are significantly less than the cost for comparable services at a hospital. Before your surgery, we will try to work with your insurance company to verify your coverage and comply with all pre-certification requirements. We also file with your primary, and all supplemental insurances for you. Medicare assignment is accepted for all our facility fees. It should be pointed out that certain procedures such as cosmetic or plastic surgery may not be covered by your respective insurance plan.
HOW WILL MY SURGERY BE SCHEDULED?
When you and your doctor decide to schedule your procedure at the Ashton Center for Day Surgery, our team of highly trained staff will begin to make preparations for you. Your physician will telephone our scheduling office to determine a time that is mutually convenient for you and your physician. Our anesthesiologists and various medical staff will then review your case and call you to schedule an appointment for preoperative testing, if necessary. During that appointment, they will discuss the procedure that you will have, review your health history, and complete necessary testing, that may include blood work, an EKG and a chest x-ray. At that time they may also discuss postoperative instructions with you and tell you what you may expect during your surgery.
WHAT HAPPENS THE DAY OF SURGERY?
Based on the type of surgery that you are having, you will be given a time to arrive at the surgery center. This is usually 1 to 1-1/2 hours prior to the time of surgery. When you arrive, you will be greeted by a receptionist who will review with you the various forms that you are required to complete, including signing a consent form.
From this point, you will be greeted by a nurse from the recovery room who will take you into the locker room where you will change into a surgical gown. He or she will then take you into the preoperative holding area where you will be given any pre-surgical medications, and in the event that you are to receive general anesthesia or IV sedation (twilight), you will meet and talk with your anesthesiologist who will care for you during the surgical procedure. The anesthesiologist will further discuss your case with you and answer any questions that you may have. Only when everything is ready and all of your questions are satisfactorily answered, will you go into the operating room.
*A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN MUST ACCOMPANY A PATIENT UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
Make sure that you bring your insurance cards, and any other necessary information, as well as eyeglasses, dentures, or hearing aides. A personal storage container will be provided for your dentures.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
If at all possible, wear loose fitting clothing that is easy to put on and will fit easily over bulky bandages or surgical dressings. The pre-admissions nurse will discuss this with you over the telephone.
When you arrive, you will be assigned a secure locker with a lock in which to place all of your clothes. However, we want to stress the importance of leaving all of your valuables at home. The surgery center cannot be responsible for the loss of valuables.
WHAT TYPE OF ANESTHESIA WILL I HAVE?
Depending on the type of procedure that you are having, there are a variety of types of anesthesia that you may receive. This depends on your health, type of surgery, and the recommendation of your doctor and anesthesiologist. Click HERE for types of Anesthesia.
WHEN WILL I MEET MY ANESTHESIOLOGIST?
When you are scheduled for preoperative testing at Ashton Center for Day Surgery, you will have an opportunity to meet with and discuss your case with one of our anesthesiologists. You can make an appointment to see an anesthesiologist at Ashton Center for Day Surgery within two weeks prior to your scheduled surgery.
During that interview, you will discuss several issues, including your health, any allergies you may have, medication that you are taking and the type of anesthesia that is planned for your procedure. They may also discuss the results of any preoperative testing that you may have had at another facility, including your EKG, chest x-ray, and laboratory blood work.
This is a good time to ask questions about what you will experience. Our goal is to prepare you for surgery medically, physically and psychologically.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER SURGERY?
Your anesthesiologist and doctor are personally responsible for your comfort and well being during the surgery. During your surgery, when your anesthesiologist is involved, he will direct your anesthesia and monitor your vital body functions. Your anesthesiologist is also responsible for managing any medical problems you may have, including asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.
WILL I NEED SOMEONE TO TAKE ME HOME?
Yes, you must make arrangements for a responsible adult to take you home after surgery. You will not be allowed to leave alone or drive yourself home. It is also strongly suggested that you have someone stay with you during the first 24 hours following surgery.
If you have local anesthetic only, with no sedation, it may be possible to go home without someone to accompany you. However, you must check with your doctor and the recovery room nurse first.
WILL THERE BE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?
The amount of discomfort that you may experience will depend on several factors, especially the type of surgery that you had. Your doctor and nurses can relieve any pain with medications given by mouth, by injection, or by numbing the area around the surgical incision. Your discomfort should be tolerable but do not expect to be totally free of pain.
Some nausea or vomiting you may experience may be related to the anesthesia or to the type of surgical procedure you had. This does not always occur. Medication to treat nausea or vomiting will be given if necessary, and you may not be discharged unless your nausea or vomiting is well controlled.
WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN I GET HOME?
The majority of patients do not feel up to their typical activities the next day, usually due to general tiredness or surgical discomfort. Plan to take it easy for a few days until you feel back to normal. Know that a period of recovery time at home is common and is expected.
It is very important that you closely follow the postoperative instructions that you will be given at the surgical center. These were developed to make your recovery more comfortable. If you have any questions regarding pain or your medications, please call your doctor.
Your recovery will essentially take place at your home. This is the best place because you are familiar with your home, you are more comfortable there and everything you need is more accessible to you.
DOES ANYTHING HAPPEN THE DAY AFTER SURGERY?
Depending on the type of surgery that you had, your doctor may schedule you for office visits after your surgery to see how you are doing. Follow the instructions given to you by your doctor.
On the next business day following your surgery, a nurse from our recovery room will telephone to see how you are feeling and to answer any of your questions. If she feels that any questions should be discussed with the doctor, she will refer you to him.
SOME VERY IMPORTANT MATTERS TO REMEMBER
First, feel free to ask as many questions as necessary to get as much information as you need to feel comfortable about your surgical experience.
It is very important that you follow all instructions that are given to you both before and after surgery. These are for your health and safety.
Do not eat or drink anything before surgery. If you do, your surgery may be cancelled.
It is very important that you make arrangements for someone to take you home after surgery, and that these plans are discussed with the recovery room nurse in advance when she calls you. In the event that you are coming to the surgery center by limousine, you must also have a responsible adult accompany you home after surgery. If these arrangements are not made, your surgery will be cancelled.
We pride ourselves in providing the highest quality of care. We strive to inform you as much as possible about your experience here beforehand, and to assure that it is as comfortable, safe, and as pleasant as possible.
