Preoperative Visit

There are steps you can take to prepare for surgery. Before surgery, you will meet with your surgeon and several other members of the team for your preoperative visit. 
We encourage you to bring a family member or caregiver and have them ask questions.

Bring the following to your preoperative appointment(s):

• Picture identification (license, passport)
• Medication list
• Any related paperwork 
• Living will or healthcare power of attorney

Be ready to discuss the following:

• Risks and benefits of surgery
• Alternatives to surgery
• Allergies 
• Prescription and over-the-counter medications that you currently take
• Current and previous medical and surgical history
• Do you use alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs? 
• Personal or family history of high fever or other complications during surgery
• Could you be pregnant?

At your appointment:

• You will see a registration representative 
• You will see a nurse and anesthesiology department member
• A physical exam will be completed
• We will answer questions about what to expect during your hospital stay
• You may be sent for preoperative testing (for example, lab, x-ray, EKG)
• The appointment will be about two hours 

Preoperative center location:

Ochsner Medical Center - Kenner
Check in on first floor – registration department (hospital lobby area)
A registration department staff member will direct you to the second-floor preoperative center.
You may eat, drink and take medications unless your doctor tells you not to.

Preoperative testing
During your preoperative appointment, your surgeon or the anesthesiologist will determine the need for any testing. If you have any laboratory test or radiology studies at home, bring them to your appointment. 

The anesthesia staff will review your questionnaire and lab tests before your scheduled date of surgery. Depending on this review, you may be asked to see a physician in order to obtain medical clearance for your procedure. The goal of medical clearance is to ensure that you are in the best possible condition for your scheduled surgery. Clearance may involve further specific tests which may help clarify your risks for surgery and may result in a change to the type of anesthetic that your anesthesiologist will administer.

Informed consent
You will be asked to sign a document called “informed consent.” This confirms that you and your surgeon have discussed the operation and alternative treatments, that you understand the potential risks and complications associated with the surgery, and that you have decided to proceed at your own free will.

Healthcare proxy and living will
We encourage you to complete a living will, which appoints a trusted person to make healthcare decisions for you if you are unable to do so. You can obtain this form by asking any member of the team.