Surgery

What to do to prepare for your surgery

If Dr Petre has recommended surgery as your treatment, he and his team will support you through this process and your recovery.  It is important to prepare for your surgery as best you can in order to minimize your down time.

Pre-Operative Visit

Before your surgery, Dr Petre would like you to schedule a pre-operative office visit.  There are a number of goals for this visit:

  • Dr Petre will re-examine you and confirm your need for the procedure
  • The procedure, risks, benefits, alternatives to surgery will be reviewed
  • You will receive your post-operative instructions and any necessary prescriptions including your pain prescription
  • The logistics of your surgery day will be reviewed including where and when to arrive, when to stop eating before your surgery, how long to expect to be in the hospital, and what to expect on the day of surgery.  If you did not recieve specific instructions regarding eating and drinking, STOP eating at midnight before your surgery.

Pre-Operative Medical Clearance

Often, we will order routine labs including blood work and urine tests prior to surgery.  Dr Petre may also ask you to see your internist and possibly your cardiologist for their preoperative recommendations and clearance if you meet any of these following criteria:

  • Age 50 or more
  • Previous history of problems with anesthesia
  • Previous history of any cardiac (heart) problems including heart attack, arrhythmia, chest pain, previous heart or lung surgery, etc.
  • Bleeding or blot clot history
  • Lung problems such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, restrictive lung disease, etc.

Pre-Operative Skin Care

Our infection rate is extremely low because we take steps to prevent infection.  Dr Petre recommends cleansing the skin prior to surgery with a chlorhexidine (CHG) based soap or cloths the day before and the morning of surgery.  These products are available at all major drug stores.  Please click here for complete instructions

General Recommendations:

  • It is important to drink a lot of water the day before your surgery to prevent dehydration
  • Avoid alcohol the night before your surgery and get plenty of sleep
  • Know where you are going in the morning, maps and directions are available to our surgery locations here
  • Be available on the phone number you provided, occasionally schedules change and we may want you to arrive earlier or later than originally planned.

 

Surgery Logistics

Where Should I go for my surgery?

Surgery will either be scheduled at the Edwards surgical Pavilion or the Hospital Pavilion 2nd floor surgical suite.  Both are located at 2001 Medical Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401.  Both are in the East campus.  Parking for Edwards is in Garage C, for Hospital in Garage A.

Getting Here parking map

When should I arrive?  What is my surgery time?

Surgery times are net set until the business day prior to surgery and are subject to change!  You will receive a phone call from the surgery department on the business day prior to your surgery in the afternoon to confirm your surgery time and your arrival time.  You will need to arrive well before your surgery time.

 

What should I bring with me to surgery?

  • Wear loose fitting clothes that are easy to get on and off, appropriate for the season.
  • Shoes that are easy to get on and off and are supportive are advisable.
  • Bring your surgery packet that you received at your pre-operative visit including all of this paperwork and especially your consent form.
  • All your medical paperwork including insurance cards, photo ID, and if you have them a copy of your : advance directives, living will, power of attorney.
  • A responsible adult to drive you home
  • A book/music player/phone are fine to bring if you can give them to your accompanying adult during surgery.
  • Do NOT wear jewelry, piercings, or place any makeup, ointments, moisturizers, etc on your skin.

What will happen when I arrive?

  • You will first be checked in and review your paperwork
  • You will be asked to change into a gown
  • An IV will be started
  • Your nurse, anesthesiologist, and Dr Petre will all visit you prior to the surgery to review the surgery and answer any questions.
  • The pre-operative space is limited and you will be restricted to 1-2 family members while you are getting ready for surgery.

What should I do if something changes between now and surgery?

If you become ill or otherwise can not have surgery, please call us immediately at 410.280.4717

If you have questions prior to surgery, call 4102804717 or email Dr Petre at bpetre@osmc.net

For questions relating to anesthesia, the surgery facility or your stay at the hospital call 443-481-1840 or 443-481-1000