A Pre-Assessment Nurse will call you prior to your surgery to review your health history. Reviewing your health history before the day of your procedure will reduce the chance of your procedure cancelling due to unforeseen risks.
Please review the “Before Your Surgery Checklist” to prevent any delays or cancellations.
Your surgeon’s office will call you the day before your surgery, to tell you your arrival time and answer any questions. If you have not received a call by 4 p.m. the day before your surgery, please call us at 510-756-1011
A Health History Nurse will call you prior to your surgery to collect information about your health to expedite your admission process.
It is important for you to follow these guidelines before surgery to prevent delays or cancellations.
Pre-Register
Registration is designed to be quick and easy and completing the form should take you 10-15 minutes. Please have your insurance information handy.
Before Your Surgery Checklist
A Pre-Assessment Nurse will call you prior to your surgery to review your health history. Reviewing your health history before the day of your procedure will reduce the chance of your procedure cancelling due to unforeseen risks.
It is important for you to follow these guidelines before surgery to prevent your procedure from being canceled or delayed.
Makeup, Nail Polish, Jewelry (including body jewelry)
Please remove all these items before surgery.
Clothing
Wear loose, casual, comfortable clothing to fit over dressings.
Valuables
Please leave valuables at home.
Special Needs Adults
Special Care For Special Needs Adults
We understand that loved ones who depend upon others for daily living require special attention. Besides the guidelines in the Before My Surgery and Day of Surgery, the following tips, will help make care for these adults easier:
Consent
The legal guardian needs to sign the consent for surgery and anesthesia on or before the day of surgery.
For Admission
Please bring the patient’s recent health history and medication information.
Personal Attendant
As with other patients, special needs patients require a parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult to remain at the center from admission through recovery. A personal attendant will be required to stay with the patient for 24 hours after discharge.
Anesthesia
Berkeley Surgery Center provides monitored anesthesia care and moderate sedation. Your physician will discuss your options with you before your surgery.
Preoperative Interview
Your anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist will interview you prior to the procedure. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss any concerns that you may have with your anesthesiologist.
In the Operating Room
Your physical status is closely monitored. Vital functions such as heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, temperature, and breathing are managed. A member of the anesthesia care team will be with you throughout your procedure.
Recovery After Surgery
You will be taken to the post-anesthetic care unit, often called the recovery room. Your vital functions will be closely monitored by specially trained nurses. Medications to minimize postoperative pain, nausea, and vomiting are given as needed. Nausea and vomiting tend to be less of a problem today because of improved anesthetic agents and techniques although it still occurs quite often. When you are ready, you will be offered something to drink. A family member or friend may be allowed to be with you, and you will be assisted in getting up. Most patients are ready to go home 15- 30 minutes after surgery. Oral and written instructions will be given. You will also be given a telephone number to call if you have any concerns when you get home. In general, for the first 24 hours after your anesthesia:
Be prepared to go home and continue your recovery there. Patients may experience drowsiness or minor side effects such as muscle aches, sore throat, headaches, and mild nausea. These usually decline rapidly in the hours following surgery. Most patients do not feel up to their usual activities the next day. Plan to take it easy for a few days. The following day, you will be contacted to see how you feel and if there are any problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to visit the Center before the surgery date?
Some patients may choose to come to the Center before their surgery date to complete paperwork or make payments. We strongly recommend that you complete all preoperative documentation before the day of surgery.
May I pre-register for my surgery?
Yes. We strongly encourage you to have completed all the registration forms before the day of surgery. We prefer that you simply arrive the day of your surgery and be shown to your room rather than fill out pages of paperwork.
What if I cannot make my appointment?
Please notify the surgeon and the Berkeley Surgery Center at 510-756-1011 as early as possible if you cannot make your scheduled appointment. Early notification can help us better accommodate you and other patients.
What should I wear?
Please wear comfortable clothing. Button-down shirts or blouses are best. Wear comfortable shoes. Leave all jewelry at home, including body-piercing jewelry. If you wear contact lenses, you will probably have to remove them for the surgery, so consider bringing your glasses. If you have to wear your contacts, please bring contact solution and contacts case. Please do not wear any make-up. Please remove all body piercings.
Why must I refrain from eating and/or drinking prior to surgery?
You refrain from eating and/or drinking prior to surgery in order to prevent the risks of aspirating gastric contents during your surgery. This complication is very serious and you need to strictly abide by our recommendations. This has nothing to do with nausea and vomiting after your surgery, as some think.
Who may accompany me?
You are welcome to bring one person to the Center. Please refrain from bringing young children as guests.
Will I be contacted before my surgery?
Yes. We call each patient before the surgery to gather information and hopefully answer any of your questions. You can also call the Center directly with any questions.
Should I bathe and wash my hair before leaving home?
Yes. You can comfortably take a shower, bathe, brush your teeth, etc.
What should I do if I am not feeling well?
If you are not feeling well, please contact your surgeon immediately. During normal business hours, you can call the Center for advice. There are some surgeries which are safer if delayed when you are sick. We need to know specific details to make the decision. Please do not delay in contacting your surgeon or the Center.
What should I do if I start my menstrual cycle?
This will not affect most surgical procedures.
What should I do if I believe that I am pregnant?
It is very important for us to be aware of this possibility. Only essential surgery is done on pregnant patients. If there is any doubt please contact us immediately.
May I drive home?
Any patient receiving anesthesia should not drive until the next day. A patient receiving sedation for a procedure needs a ride home. Patients receiving anesthesia will not be allowed to drive, walk, or take public transportation after sedation or anesthesia. Please make the appropriate arrangements.
What if I have special needs?
We will make every effort to accommodate any special need you may have. We strongly encourage you to call the Surgery Center in advance so that we can properly prepare to make you comfortable. Do not hesitate to call and suggest anything to make your day easier.
Should I bring my special needs equipment?
Yes. Please bring any walkers, post-op crutches, hearing aids, etc.
What must I bring with me on the day of surgery?
