Which of my medications should I take?
You will receive instructions from your surgeon or Lakeview Surgery Center's staff to explain which medications should be taken on the day of surgery.
If you take regular medications, like insulin, inhalers, etc., please bring them with you to the surgery center.
What should I wear?
Wear something comfortable and loose fitting over your surgical site. You can expect to have a bulky dressing after surgery and your clothes should accommodate this and be easy to put on. We will store your clothes in a locker during surgery or give them to a family member.
Who provides the anesthesia for my surgery?
Anesthesia services at Lakeview Surgery Center are provided by Associated Anesthesiologists, PC. This group of physicians also provides anesthesia services to Iowa Methodist Medical Center. You will have a board certified anesthesiologist taking care of you at the center. They will review your health history prior to surgery and develop an anesthesia plan for you, including any preoperative sedation or other medications that you might need.
What is different about ambulatory anesthesia?
The anesthesia that you receive is tailored so that you will be able to go home soon after your surgery is completed. Special anesthetic techniques and agents are used to provide a swift recovery from the effects of anesthesia. Most patients are able to leave the surgery center within 1 to 2 hours after surgery.
What types of anesthesia might I receive?
The anesthesia will be designed for your particular needs and medical indications. There are 4 main types:
- General - the patient is unconscious and has complete loss of sensation.
- Monitored Anesthesia Care - the patient receives sedation and medication to elevate the pain threshold. The surgeon will inject local anesthesia to provide a loss of sensation necessary for the surgery.
- Regional Anesthesia - involves the use of local anesthetic to provide anesthesia to a large region of the body - includes spinal, epidural, extremity blocks and regional blocks.
- Local Anesthesia - anesthesia to smaller areas of the body. The surgeon commonly gives this and you will have no anesthesia provider with you, a nurse will monitor the patient during the procedure.
What happens when the operation is over?
You will be recovered in the post anesthesia care unit or the discharge area depending on the type of anesthesia that you received. Once you are in the discharge area, family members may join you. The length of your recovery depends upon the surgery and the type of anesthesia you received, anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours. Your postoperative instructions from your surgeon will be reviewed with you and a responsible person prior to discharge.
When and how do I pay for elective surgery?
Prior to surgery you will be notified of your estimated insurance coverage. You will be required to pay any co-insurance or co-pays on the day of surgery. We will then bill your insurance for you. If you have an unmet insurance deductible we will work with you to facilitate prompt payment after surgery.
Lakeview Surgery Center offers financial assistance for those who qualify. Please contact Jeff Wilson at 515-273-5356 for more information.
You will receive separate bills from your surgeon and anesthesiologist.
*Fees for Cosmetic Surgery or other services not covered by insurance will be collected prior to surgery.
For you convenience we accept cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. Please bring your insurance card and your drivers license or other form of photo identification with you the day of surgery.
