FAQs

For your first appointment, bring the following items:

• Current insurance card
• Valid photo ID (e.g., Driver’s License)
• Doctor’s referral form
• Co-insurance, co-pay, or deductible payment
• Any completed paperwork mailed or emailed to you
• Notes, lab tests, X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, ultrasound films, and their reports
• Recent mammogram and ultrasound films with reports from the past two years (for breast patients)

A preoperative history and physical are necessary to ensure that any medical issues you have are managed appropriately before surgery. The specific preoperative tests ordered by your physician will depend on the type of surgery you are undergoing, your age, the medications you’re taking, and your medical history.

On average, it takes one to two weeks to schedule a procedure. However, this timeline can be extended for patients who need preoperative clearance from specialists like medical doctors, cardiologists, or pulmonologists, as these additional evaluations may prolong the waiting period.

Our office will handle obtaining preauthorization for your procedure from your insurance company. However, this does not guarantee that your insurance will cover the surgery costs. It is important for you to understand your insurance benefits and coverage. You should directly contact your insurance company, employer, HR department, or insurance broker to verify your benefits, eligibility, and coverage specifics.

You’ll receive specific instructions via email or the patient portal after your surgery is scheduled. If your surgery involves local anesthesia, you must arrive at our office 15 minutes before your scheduled procedure time. Fasting is not required for office procedures under local anesthsia. However, if your surgery involves sedation or general anesthesia, the hospital or surgery center will instruct you to arrive 120 minutes before surgery. You must also fast from midnight the night before and arrange for someone to drive you home.

Additionally, you must stop taking aspirin, blood thinners (like Coumadin, warfarin, Plavix), and anti- inflammatory medications one to two weeks before surgery, after consulting with your primary care physician or cardiologist.

You should continue taking your regular medications unless otherwise advised by your surgeon or primary care physician. It is important to discuss your medication regimen with your healthcare providers before surgery to ensure safety and proper management.

The hospital or surgery center pre-anesthesia team nurse will inform you of what medications you should take on the morning of surgery, but in general you will take your heart or blood pressure medications with a sip of water. Do not take oral diabetic medicines, and adjust insulin doses as recommended by your doctor. It’s crucial to follow these specific instructions around the time of your surgery.

On the day of surgery, you can expect the following:

• Registration upon arrival
• Preparation by a nurse for the procedure
• Signing a consent form for the surgery
• Meeting with your anesthesiologist
• A pre-procedure discussion with your surgeon for any last-minute questions

Typically, a post-operative follow-up appointment is scheduled for 10 to 14 days after surgery, unless your surgeon specifies a different timeline. This visit allows for assessment of your recovery and addressing any concerns following the surgery.

The recovery time after surgery varies depending on the specific procedure and the individual patient. Your surgeon will provide guidance on when you can resume daily activities during your preoperative and postoperative visits.

In case of a life-threatening emergency, you should immediately call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. It’s important to seek immediate medical attention in such situations. Please call the office at 703-258- 0399 for non-emergency questions or concerns.