Please follow these steps carefully prior to your surgery to help ensure your procedure goes as smoothly as possible.

Contact your surgeon or physician prior to your surgery date if

  • You are not sure what time to arrive at the center on the day of your procedure.
  • You experience any changes in your health between your most recent visit to your physician and the day of your procedure; even minor ones like a temperature, cough, or a cold.
  • You suspect that you are pregnant. Anesthesia and medication may be harmful to a developing fetus.
  • You have a latex allergy, diabetes, heart condition, kidney or liver failure.
  • If you take medications on a regular basis. The preadmission nurse who calls you before your surgery will have guidance about which medications you should or should not take on the day of your procedure.

Note: Do not take any medications containing aspirin, vitamin E, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as Aspirin, Advil, Aleve, etc.), herbs, or weight loss products or at least seven (7) days prior to the procedure and the day following your procedure. If you have taken any of these, please inform your physician/surgeon as soon as possible.

After midnight the day of your surgery

  • Do not smoke after midnight the day of your surgery.
  • Do not eat or drink anything (including water, gum, mints, hard candy) after midnight the day of surgery, unless you are directed otherwise by the preadmission nurse. Undigested food in the stomach can cause complications and your surgery is likely to be postponed if you forget to follow these instructions.

For children under two years of age, the parents will receive specific instructions from our preadmission nurse regarding when they can have liquids or food before surgery.

Morning of Surgery

  • Take a bath or shower and brush your teeth (taking care not to swallow any water) the morning of surgery because this will minimize the chance of infection.
  • Remove all makeup, nail polish, jewelry, and contacts. If you must wear contacts, please bring your storage case for use during surgery.
  • Wear loose, comfortable clothing that can accommodate a bandage, cast, or other type of dressing where the procedure is being performed. Keep in mind that our center is always kept at a cooler temperature. During surgery, you will wear a patient gown provided by the center. 

What to bring with you on the day of your surgery

  • Bring all insurance cards. It is important for us to have all the current and correct information.
  • Bring a government issued photo ID such as a driver's license. Minors do not need ID but the primary insured party does need theirs.
  • Bring your form of payment, if required.
  • Bring a copy of your consent forms and an Advanced Directive if you have one. Your signature will be required in accordance with your particular procedure.
  • If you have asthma or emphysema, bring inhalers with you.
  • Contact your diabetic management physician for insulin dosage instructions.
  • If you are having knee, ankle or foot surgery, you may require crutches. Summit Surgery Center does not provide them so please coordinate obtaining these with your surgeon.
  • Arrange for a responsible adult to accompany you to the center, receive discharge instructions, drive you home and stay with you for the first night following surgery.
  • Limit the number of people who accompany you to the center; we suggest that adult patients be accompanied by only one person.
  • We do welcome both parents of pediatric patients. Parents of children absolutely cannot leave while their child (minor) is at the facility; they must remain in the waiting area. It would be better if siblings do not visit due to lack of entertainment at the center. If your child does not drink from a cup, please bring a bottle or sippy cup. It is fine for your child to have something to drink after the procedure. Due to space limitations, we request that no more than two adults accompany children to the center.

What not to bring to the surgery center

  • Leave all jewelry, wigs, cash and valuables at home. We cannot be responsible for their safety.

Please call us

If we have not reached you two days prior to surgery to review your medical history, pre-operative instructions, and financial arrangements, please call us at (615) 391-7200 and ask to speak to the preadmission nurse. If you have any other questions about getting ready for your procedure, please feel free to call us.