Davis Duehr Dean Surgery Center

What to Expect

In Advance of Your Surgery

• Please make an appointment with your family physician for a pre-operative physical exam. This must be completed within 30 days prior to your scheduled procedure.
• Our pre-admission nurse will call you one to two days before your surgery to verify your health information, your medications, vitamins and herbal treatments for our records. You will be given instructions at that time as to their use on the day of surgery.
• You may contact the nurse if you wish, locally at (608) 282-2050 or toll free at (866) 329-0299.
• The day before your surgery, you will be contacted with your arrival and scheduled surgery time. If you have not received this call by 12:00PM the day before your surgery, please call the surgery center.
• Be prepared to give our nurse an emergency contact name and number, so that we may contact them if an emergency situation should arise during your stay.
• You will not be allowed to drive home. Please make arrangements for a responsible adult to accompany you from the surgery center and to stay with you the first night after your surgery.

If You are Ill Before Surgery

It may be necessary to postpone your surgery if you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, coughing etc. If you are ill, contact your surgeon or the surgery center at (608) 282-2050 or toll free at (866) 329-0299.

When and What You May Drink Before Surgery

• You may eat and drink normally until 12:00 midnight prior to your surgery.
• Do not eat solid food after midnight.
• NO cream, milk, sugar, hard candy, lozenges, gum or tobacco should be taken after midnight.
• After midnight drink only CLEAR LIQUIDS, which are: water, black coffee / tea, cola and other soda, clear jello, popsicles and clear juices such as apple, cranberry, white grape. If there is any sediment, pulp, haziness, cloudiness, or you are not sure - do not drink it.
• You may drink CLEAR LIQUIDS between midnight and 3 hours before your scheduled arrival at the Surgery Center. Example: if you are to arrive at noon, you may take clear liquids up until 9:00 AM and no later.
• Remember, when it is 3 hours before your arrival time, do not drink - even water. If you do, your surgery may be postponed or canceled.

Day of Surgery  

The Morning of Surgery

• Brush your teeth and rinse. Do not swallow any water.
• Dress comfortably in clothing that is easily removed and loose enough to wear over bandages. For shoulder surgery, an oversized shirt with buttons or zipper can be helpful.
  You will be provided with a gown, robe and slippers while at the surgery center.
• Leave your jewelry at home; this includes body piercing and metal hair clips. You may wear your wedding ring if it doesn't interfere with surgery.
• Remove nail polish on the operative extremity.
• Leave money and valuables at home, bringing only what you will need to purchase prescription medications at the pharmacy. Please bring appropriate containers for glasses, contacts, dentures, hearing aid to be stored while you are in the Operating Room.
• Bring your insurance card. Please remember to bring your insurance card to simplify the registration process and ensure your records are current. We accept patients with Medicare, Medicaid, and self-pay. We welcome Dean Health Plan and most other major insurance providers.
• Bring a form of ID. Please be prepared to provide a photo ID when you check-in. We do not need a picture to provide care and will not withhold treatment due to lack of identification. Acceptable forms of ID include Driver's License, State Issued ID, Student ID, Military ID or Proof of Residence (Utility Bill, Bank Statement, Pay Check). Learn more about this enhancement to designed to prevent medical identity theft.

Special Precautions

• If you have asthma, bring your inhaler or nebulizer.
• If you are diabetic, bring your glucometer, insulin and syringes.
• If you were given supplies at the clinic, such as a Cryocuff, braces or immobilizer please remember to bring them with you.
• If you were issued crutches, you may leave them in your car (unless they need adjustment or you need instruction in their use).
• Follow instructions given at the clinic regarding other special requests.

When You Arrive at the Surgery Center

• There is convenient carport parking, near the Brook St. entrance, marked "Surgery Center Parking".
• Enter through doors, take the elevator to 3rd floor.
• Proceed to registration desk, where staff will ask you to complete paperwork and make a copy of your insurance cards.

Insurance and Billing

• The receptionist at Davis Duehr Dean Surgery Center will need: your insurance card and your (or your child's) social security number.
• If your surgery is related to workman's compensation, bring your claim number and date of injury.
• Remember, if your insurance requires a co-pay, you will be asked to pay it when you arrive.
• Feel free to contact our billing department before your surgery should you have questions. We can be reached at (608) 250-1336 or (800) 222-5962.

Children Having Surgery

• Tours may be arranged 1-2 weeks prior to surgery. This is usually conducted early in the evening and takes about 20 minutes. Please call the pre-admissions nurse at (608) 282-2050 to schedule a tour.
• Feel free to bring a comfort/security item such as a clean blanket, toy or pacifier to accompany your child to surgery.
• Bring an empty bottle/sippy cup (if applicable) which we can fill with juice after the procedure.
• You may bring a favorite video for use in the recovery area. When it is possible, we try to place children in a room with a TV/VCR after their procedure. We have a limited selection of children's videos.

Please Note

Space is limited, so please keep the number of visitors accompanying you to a minimum. Your family may wait in the front lobby during your surgery, and they will be notified when they may join you in our step-down area.

Going Home

Going Home Instructions

• It is helpful to bring a pillow to make the drive home more comfortable.
• You will receive verbal and written home instructions from a nurse.
• One of our nurses will contact you by phone the day after your surgery.