About Your Visit

• Pre-operative tests are determined and ordered by your physician and/or an anesthesiologist.
• Should you require such testing, you will be contacted before the date of surgery.
• Be sure to have your doctor’s office send all necessary paperwork regarding pre-operative tests, blood work, and insurance to Microsurgical Spine Center.

It is very important that you note any and all changes to your well-being prior to your procedure. Colds, fevers, additional pain, etc.—they are all worth mentioning to your physician and nurse.

• Please avoid all food and beverages—even water—from midnight on before your surgery. Otherwise, your procedure may need to be postponed.
• More specific directions may be given during a pre-operative phone call.

• Your doctor or a nurse will give you specific directions regarding your medications during a pre-operative phone call.
• Do not forget to mention any use of blood thinners (i.e. Plavix, Asprin, etc.) during pre-operative consultations.

Yes, you will. Due to anesthesia, you will not be permitted to drive for 24 hours after your surgery.

Please bring the following items to the MSC on the day of your surgery:

• Photo ID and insurance cards; upon checking in the day of surgery, facility staff will need to verify these and then make multiple copies for our files.
• A list of all drugs and supplements you are currently taking.
• Any and all medications needed during your stay.
• Payment for your procedure (e.g. deductible or co-payment).
• Eyeglass and contact lens cases; you won’t be able to wear them during surgery.
• DO NOT bring along valuables like rings, watches, etc.

It’s very important that you obtain directions to our facility prior to your surgery date; those are details you don’t want to worry about last minute.Our address is:

Microsurgical Spine Center
1519 3rd St. SE, Suite 102
Puyallup, WA 98372

Surgical procedures, anesthesia, and other medications can be very harmful to a developing baby. If you believe there is a chance you are pregnant, please notify your doctor, nurse, and the facility prior to your surgery date.

Yes, showering will help prevent surgical site infections. When showering be sure to shower both the night before and the morning of your procedure.

• Wash your hair with shampoo first.
• Using a clean washcloth for both showers, wash your body with a liquid antibacterial soap.
• Avoid shaving near the surgical site unless instructed to do so by your physician or a nurse.
• Once you have rinsed thoroughly, use a clean towel after each shower.
• Do not use lotions, powders, or perfumes after showering.

Washing Hands: The day of the surgery, do not hesitate to ask friends, loved ones—even those caring for you at the facility—if they have washed their hands prior to entering your room. You should all take care to wash your hands throughout this process.

Post-Op Shower Instructions: Once home, take care to follow the specific instructions for post-operative cleaning of your surgical site, e.g. changing bandages, taking your medications, etc.

No. Please do not apply makeup the day of your surgery, and remove nail polish prior to your arrival.

No. We strongly recommend you avoid smoking the day of surgery. Not only could it create complications with your anesthesia, but you could also experience a greater risk of nausea while recovering.

During a pre-operative phone call, you will be given specific instructions with regard to your arrival. It is imperative that you arrive at the designated time.

When you enter the facility, you will be greeted at check-in. Admission and verification will go rather quickly, because most of your information will have been sent to us before your surgery date.However, please remember to bring:

• All important insurance cards.
• Photo IDs.
• Payment for your deductible or co-pay.
• A list of your current medications and supplements.

After checking in, a nurse will take you through a pre-operative assessment that includes:

• Meeting with an anesthesiologist
• Taking your vital signs
• Starting an IV (if necessary)

Family and friends will not be permitted to join you in this room, but our staff will continue to give them updates on your behalf.

After changing, all of your belongings will be safely stored in the pre-operative area. Remember to leave anything of value at home.

• There are no greater goals for Microsurgical Spine Center than to keep you safe and get you the care you need. We follow rigorous national guidelines and protocols (National Patient Safety Goals) with regard to both.
• Prior to surgery, you will most likely meet with your doctor to confirm your procedure and its correct surgical site.
• What is your part in this? You may be asked to confirm many times what procedure you will be receiving and where the surgical site is located. Do not hesitate to voice any concerns, and ask questions during this pre-operative consult.
• To further confirm and secure the correct procedure and location, your doctor may even mark the site on your body before surgery.

• Your physician will give you written directions for your recovery at home. Be sure to have your friend or loved ones read and listen to these directions and take any notes if necessary.
• As you will be recovering from anesthesia, do not plan to sign any legal documents during the first 24 hours after your procedure.
• Remember to avoid driving for at least the first 24 hours after surgery.
• Plan to have someone stay with you for the first 24 hours after your procedure.

Either your doctor or the anesthesiologist will come see you in the recovery area to determine when you are ready to go home.

On rare occasions, your physician or anesthesiologist may decide you need additional post operative care. In that case, you will be admitted to a nearby hospital.

Your physician will discuss warning signs with you prior to discharge. If you exhibit any of these symptoms or serious pain, you should:

• Contact your doctor immediately
• Head straight to the nearest emergency room, or
• Call 911.

You doctor will have specific guidelines for you to follow with regard to your immediate diet. Plan to drink lots of fluids (with the exception of alcohol), and initially maintain a very light post-operative diet.

Remember to follow our protocol for bathing and cleaning your surgical site (see instructions for showering under “Before Surgery”).

In most cases, you will be instructed to continue with your usual medications after surgery. Should temporary changes to your medication routine be needed, our staff will notify you before leaving.

From the time you are admitted, to our post-operative call at home after you are discharged, we will be asking you to describe your pain level. Adults will be asked to rate their pain on a scale from 1-10. Please follow directions for pain medication closely, and remember that most of them will take at least 20-30 minutes to begin working effectively. Therefore, consider taking the next dose before the pain becomes unbearable.