Pre-Op Visit

Pre-Op Evaluation/Work Up

Prior to your scheduled surgical procedure, a Day Surgery nurse will contact you to gather some basic information about you and your health and to answer your questions. Most outpatient surgeries require pre-operative testing such as blood and urine tests. Some also require chest X-rays or EKGs (electrocardiograms).

You must have these tests completed within 30 days before your surgery. You may schedule to have these tests completed at the laboratory (Ground Floor) and Imaging Services (radiology/X-ray), located on the First Floor, at WakeMed North.

If you have any of the following, please bring a copy of the report with you on the day of surgery:

  • Chest X-ray, EKG (electrocardiogram), treadmill study or cardiac catheterization within the last six months
  • Lab work within the last 30 days
  • Living will or Health Care Power of Attorney

Pre-op Tours for Pediatric Patients

WakeMed North Day Surgery Center offers pre-operative tours and support to assist you in preparing your child or teenager for surgery.

The tour is both educational and interactive. It is an opportunity to familiarize both you and your child with what to expect the day of surgery. We use a combination of photos, play with actual medical equipment and take a walking tour.

Visiting the Day Surgery Center before admission helps children and adolescents cope with their fears and anxieties. Brothers, sisters and other family members also are welcome. Please call 919-350-1430 to set up a tour or to obtain more information.

Before Surgery

Pre-Registration 

A few days before your surgery, someone from Pre Certification may contact you to collect your pre-registration information. If you have questions about insurance verification, you can reach out to the CareLine at 919-350-2273. During this time, our Patient Account Representative will ask for some personal and financial details, so it’s helpful to have your policy numbers and claims addresses handy. Depending on your insurance coverage, you might also need to make a deposit.

Pre-Op Appointment 

Your doctor will schedule your surgical evaluation appointment within two to four weeks prior to your procedure. This meeting can be conducted in person or via phone with a surgical nurse. Before your surgery, you'll need to complete some pre-operative tests, which may include blood and urine tests, and possibly chest X-rays or EKGs. These tests can be performed up to 14 days before your surgery or even on the day of the procedure, depending on what's necessary.

Expect your pre-op visit and lab work to take around two hours. During this time, you'll meet with a pre-op teaching nurse and a member of the anesthesia team. It's essential to bring an updated list of your medications, including dosages and frequency. Generally, you won't need to fast before this appointment unless your doctor advises otherwise.

If you've had any relevant blood tests in the last three months or other tests like a chest X-ray, EKG, heart stress test, heart catheterization, or lung function tests within the past two years, be sure to bring copies of those reports to your pre-op visit. Alternatively, you can fax them to 919-350-2562.

Requirements

It's important to inform your surgeon if you're taking aspirin or any blood thinners. Before discontinuing these medications prior to surgery, consult with your cardiologist or primary care physician. Common blood thinners include Coumadin (Warfarin®), Dabigatran (Pradaxa®), Enoxaparin (Lovenox®), Clopidogrel (Plavix®), and Prasugrel (Effient®).

  • Stop using alternative medicine, including herbal remedies and weight loss supplements, two weeks before your surgery.
  • Refrain from alcohol and smoking for 24 hours prior to your surgery.
  • For bottle-fed infants, formula is fine up to 6 hours before your appointment; breastfed infants can nurse up to 4 hours before.
  • If you experience any symptoms like fever, cold, or flu, contact your doctor before surgery.
  • Avoid eating or drinking anything after midnight the night before surgery, unless your WakeMed Pre-Op nurse advises otherwise. This includes gum, mints, tobacco, and alcohol.
  • You can have clear liquids up to one hour before arriving at the hospital; options include black coffee (no cream), tea (no cream), soft drinks, apple juice, and high-carb nutritional drinks. Avoid orange juice, broth, gelatin, and alcohol.
  • Do not shave the area where the surgery will occur.
  • If you take regular medications (aspirin or insulin), consult your surgical evaluation nurse about whether to take them the night before.
  • Follow any CHG bath instructions you receive to help reduce the risk of infection. Stick to the bathing guidelines to ensure a safe surgical experience.

Outpatients Only

  • Bring an adult with you to the hospital for your procedure.
  • Have someone stay with you at home for 24 hours after surgery.
  • For endoscopy, your family or driver needs to stay on-site until you're discharged.

Advance Directives

Federal law requires us to inform all adult patients about advance directives. At WakeMed, we have policies in place to ensure that these directives are respected in accordance with North Carolina law.

When you register, you'll receive written information about the state's advance directive regulations. We can also provide you with copies of the living will and health care power of attorney forms. If you have any questions about our hospital policies regarding these documents, just ask.

If you've appointed a health care power of attorney, please remember to bring the legal paperwork to confirm this designation.

Organ and Tissue Donation

When you decide to donate your organs and tissues, you're giving an extraordinary gift: the opportunity for someone else to live. With the latest advancements in medical science, many organs and tissues can now be transplanted successfully. If you're considering becoming an organ donor, simply ask your nurse or doctor for a Uniform Donor Card.

For more information about organ and tissue donation, you can contact Carolina Donor Services at 1-800-252-2672. They are ready to provide you with all the details you need to make an informed choice.

Cancellations

Surgery may be canceled in these instances:
  • Food and drink guidelines are overlooked.
  • No responsible adult is available to drive you home or stay with you for 24 hours after surgery.
  • There may be unexpected changes in your medical condition.
  • You arrive late on the day of your surgery.
  • Necessary evaluations from your primary care physician or specialists are not provided to our surgical team.

Contact your physician to cancel a surgery in advance.

Billing & Insurance

Estimates Inquiry: 

To connect with the automated system, please call 919-350-7808 at least three business days prior to your surgery, between 8 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Be ready to share your name, phone number, type of surgery, scheduled date and duration, along with your surgeon's name. We will get back to you with an estimated hospital bill, but remember that this is just an estimate; the final amount will depend on the specific services your doctor prescribes.

View a list of insurance plans accepted by WakeMed and learn more about Billing & Insurance.