O
R T H O P A E D I C
AMBULATORY SURGERY
CENTER
at Mass General West
AMBULATORY SURGICAL CENTER MAIN
• WELCOME
• PREPARING
FOR YOUR SURGERY
• AFTER
YOUR SURGERY AND LEAVING THE ASC
• IMPORTANT
PHONE NUMBERS
• PATIENT
INFORMATION
• DRIVING
DIRECTIONS
• EASY
PRINT INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ASC (PDF)
• PHYSICIAN
DIRECTORY
• STAFF
DIRECTORY
• ANESTHESIA
OPTIONS
• HOME
• Arrange for an escort
home. You are going home the same day of your surgery and you
must have a reliable adult take you home.
• Arrange for someone to stay with you for
the first 24 hours.
• Prepare your home for your return after
surgery. Have shopping and laundry done. Prepare some meals ahead
of time.
• Plan for car rides, as you may not be
able to drive for a while.
• If you have small children, dependent
adults or animals that you care for, arrange to have someone help
you watch them during the first few days after surgery.
• If you do not yet have a confirmed time for your surgery, contact your surgeon's office.
DIET INSTRUCTIONS:
• Do not eat or drink after midnight unless otherwise instructed.
This includes food, all liquids, hard candy, gum or mints.
• Some people are given instructions that allow them to drink clear liquids
up until 4
hours before their scheduled surgery. If you were given
these instructions, you may have the following clear liquids:
water, apple juice, cranberry juice, black coffee, black tea,
carbonated beverages and jello.
ABSOLUTELY NO ORANGE JUICE, NO CREAM, NO CREAMER AND NO MILK!
• Please follow your instructions about eating and drinking. Otherwise, your surgery may be cancelled.
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• It is very important that you
are rested before your surgery, try to sleep.
• Write down the name and contact number of the
person taking you home from the ASC. You will be asked for
this information when you get to the ASC.
• Write a list of all your medications and dosages.
You will be asked for this list when you arrive at the ASC.
• If you plan to have your prescriptions
filled at the Mass General West Pharmacy you will
need your MGH blue card, money or credit card, and your health
insurance card.
• Remember, do not eat or drink anything unless you were given different instructions.
• If you have been instructed to
take any medication take it with a small sip of water.
• If you were told to bring medication to the ASC
bring them with you.
• Wear loose comfortable clothing.
• Do not wear any jewelry. This includes wedding
rings, earrings and other body piercing. All jewelry must be removed
prior to surgery.
• Do not wear nail polish, hair spray, body lotion,
perfume or make up.
• Do not bring valuables to the
ASC.
• Bring your glasses and a case for storing them.
You will not be able to wear contact lenses during surgery.
• Bring your dentures or hearing aides adn cases
for storing them.
• You may bring a book or magazine to read before
your go into surgery.
• Bring your MGH blue card.
• Plan to arrive at the ASC at the time your surgeon's
office instructed you to.
• Go to the second floor of Mass
General West and turn right after getting off the elevator. This
is the ASC. The phone number is 781-487-2900.
• You will get a gown, robe and slippers to wear.
You will also get an identification bracelet, which you should
keep on until you leave the ASC.
• Before your surgery you will meet a nurse, an
anesthesiologist and a certified nurse anesthesiologist.
• Once you have gone to the operating
room, your escort or family member may wait for you in our
waiting room.
• A cafetaria is located next door at 52 Second
Ave.
• Our staff will let your escort or family member
know how you are doing and when you will be ready to go
home.
IN PREPARATION FOR YOUR SURGERY:
IF YOU SMOKE: TRY TO STOP SMOKING.
You will not be able to smoke while in the
ASC. If you would like help with trying to stop smoking call the MGH Quit
Smoking Service at 617-726-7443 or call the Massachusetts Smokers Helpline
at
1-800-TRY TO STOP.