What to expect before, during
and after your surgery

Before Your Surgery

Once you have scheduled a date for your surgery, Sonya will email you a pre-operative instruction packet. She will also arrange a pre-operative appointment for you with our Physician Assistant, Kristin Polega, PA-C.

We will also email you a link to "Emmi" – an interactive, online patient education system. We ask that you thoroughly review this resource prior to your pre-operative visit. The system will provide you with valuable information about your procedure and what to expect. This process will encourage you to identify any questions you may have and bring them to your pre-operative appointment.

Your Pre-Operative Visit

During your pre-operative visit, Kristin or Amber will take your medical history and discuss any required laboratory tests or procedures. You will also receive any prescriptions you will need for after your surgery.

You and Kristin will thoroughly discuss:

- What to expect on the day of surgery
- How to prepare for surgery
- The post-operative healing process

Additional pre-procedure photos may be taken during this appointment. Lastly, you will sign your surgical summary packet as well as any insurance paperwork, if necessary. We will answer any questions you may have about your upcoming procedure and recovery.

A day or two before your surgery, your anesthesiologist will call you to discuss your anesthesia plan, and answer any anesthesia or pain-related questions you have.

The Day of Your Surgery

Surgery Preparation

Your surgery will be performed at our Medicare-certified outpatient surgery center (436 Beverly Hills Surgery Center), which is located within our office suite. On the day of your surgery, you will be greeted by our surgery center coordinator, who will complete some registration paperwork with you. Your nurse will meet you and bring you to the pre-operative area, where you will change into a surgical gown, and meet with your anesthesiologist. The anesthesiologist will begin your I.V. and make sure that you are comfortable.

Dr. Cassileth will meet with you prior to surgery to discuss your surgical plan in detail. Together you will discuss the areas that your surgery will affect, and Dr. Cassileth will draw markings on your skin with a surgical marking pen. Once you and Dr. Cassileth agree on the markings, and all your questions are answered, the anesthesiologist and our nursing staff will take you into the operating room for your procedure.

After Your Surgery

When you awaken from surgery, you will remain in our recovery area for about 60 to 90 minutes. During this time, our nursing staff will monitor you, help make sure you are comfortable, and then get you ready to go home or to your aftercare facility (such as Serenity, or other recommended facility). Our nursing staff will instruct you on how to care for your surgical area(s), review your medications, and answer your questions about your post-operative care.

Your Follow-Up Care

The timing of your first post-operative appointment, as well as any necessary subsequent appointments, depends on the type of procedure you have had. At the first post-op appointment, which can be anywhere from one to ten days after surgery, you will see Dr. Cassileth. During this visit she will check to make sure you are healing as expected. If you have any sutures, drains, or pain pumps, they will be managed and removed by Kristin in the exam room. During your recovery and between post-op appointments, if you have any questions you can always call Kristin via telephone (888.465.5106) or e-mail (kristin@drcassileth.com).