Preparing for Your Surgery

Surgery Prep Overview

Ambulatory surgery, also referred to as outpatient surgery, is a team effort, and we consider you to be the most important member of our team. By following a few simple rules, you can help us make your surgery a safer procedure.

Patient’s Hand Hygiene Resource

Everyone knows that infections can be prevented by appropriate hand hygiene. The following is a list of some things to know about proper hand hygiene prior to your visit:

  • Hand hygiene is when we disinfect our hands either by washing with soap and water or using the alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Both are appropriate ways to clean our hands.
  • Hands should be washed with soap and water for at least 15 seconds when they are visibly dirty or soiled with blood or other bodily materials or fluids.
  • An alcohol-based hand rub should be used if hands are not visibly soiled. This product is found in all patient rooms and procedure areas within the center. It is a waterless antiseptic gel that kills 99.99% of all disease-causing germs (including MRSA) within seconds and is preferred for use when hands are not dirty.
  • All staff that provide care for our patients are required to disinfect their hands with soap and water or use the gel when they enter and leave the patient’s room if they will be in contact with the patient or the patient’s environment.

We encourage our patients and visitors to practice good hand hygiene. For your protection, you need to wash or gel your hands as you enter our pre-surgical unit.

Your Scheduled Surgery

From your first contact with our office, to the nurse follow-up phone call the day after your procedure, we hope you will be pleased with the professionalism and friendliness of everyone you meet at Lowery A. Woodall Outpatient Surgery Center. We make every effort possible to provide for your privacy and safety while in our center. If at any time you have concerns, please let us know.

Thank you for choosing Lowery A. Woodall Outpatient Surgery Center. You may receive a Patient Satisfaction Survey via mail or e-mail. Please fill it out and return it, as your feedback is important to us.

Things To Avoid

  • Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery. Do not chew gum or eat mints. Your stomach must be empty to avoid potentially serious complications.
  • Do not use alcohol, tobacco or tobacco products (i.e., cigars, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vaping, chewing tobacco or snuff) within 24 hours of surgery.
  • Do not wear jewelry. It may cause harm to your skin (possible burn if cautery is used) or may become damaged.
  • Do not wear metal hair ornaments.
  • Do not wear nail polish or acrylic nails if your surgery is on the arm or leg.
  • Do not take insulin or sugar pills the morning of your surgery if you have diabetes, unless instructed by the Anesthesia department.
  • Do not take anti-inflammatory medications for at least one week prior to your surgery, as they can increase your risk of bleeding. (Examples include aspirin, ibuprofen, Motrin®, Advil®, Aleve®, Nuprin® and BC® Powder.) These medications can increase your risk of bleeding. However, Tylenol® is safe to use. If you are unsure of a medication, please ask your doctor.
  • Check with your physician about blood thinners. There are many procedures that cannot be performed if you are taking blood thinners, including aspirin. With some surgeries, Fish Oil and Vitamin E can increase the chance of bleeding. In minor procedures, they are allowed.

Things To Remember

  • Make arrangements in advance for a friend or family member to drive you home following your surgery. You will not be allowed to drive if you receive sedation or general anesthesia. Failure to make transportation arrangements may result in the cancellation of your surgery. For your safety, it is also a requirement to have a responsible adult with you for the first 24 hours after surgery.
  • Notify your surgeon if you are taking any aspirin product, blood thinner, fluid pill or potassium.
  • Take your usual medication (except diabetic meds and blood thinners) the morning of surgery with a sip of water. Bring with you on the day of your surgery a list of your medications with time taken and dose. This includes over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements or the actual bottles of medications you take on a daily basis.
  • Bring a list of all allergies, including allergies to medications, latex, tape, metal, soap or foods.
  • Call your surgeon as soon as possible if you have a cold, sore throat, fever, cough, vomiting, diarrhea or other illness.*
  • Call your surgeon if you have a cut, abrasion, open sore or draining wound, rash or burn near the surgery site 24 hours before surgery.*
  • Take any special pre-operative medication if prescribed by your surgeon. (This is not required by all surgeons.) Please follow the instructions on the package. One pack of medication is to be taken at bedtime the night before surgery. The other pack of medication is to be taken approximately three hours before your surgery with a small sip of water.
  • Bring your CPAP machine, and notify the pre-op nurse if your surgeon recommended that you use a CPAP machine to breathe better, even if you don’t use it regularly or use it at all.
  • Shower with antibacterial soap, shampoo your hair and brush your teeth (do not swallow water or toothpaste) prior to admission. Do not use lotion.
  • You may wear make-up unless otherwise instructed by a surgeon.
  • Bring a case and any supplies for contact lenses. Contact lenses, including extended wear lenses, may need to be removed.
  • Dress comfortably – wear clothes that will fit easily and comfortably over your surgical area.
  • Notify Lowery A. Woodall Outpatient Surgery Center if you weigh more than 350 pounds.
  • Get plenty of rest prior to your surgery.
  • Leave all valuables and jewelry, including wedding rings, watches, earrings and body piercings, at home. Children may bring security items such as a bottle, cup, blanket, toy, doll or pillow if desired.
  • Drink more fluids, such as water, a sports drink or juice two to three days prior to surgery. Drinking these fluids can be beneficial during your recovery period.
  • Any person who is unable to sign for him or herself (persons under 18 years old or of unsound mind) must be accompanied by a legal parent, guardian or person who holds power of attorney. Bring papers of proof regarding guardianship or power of attorney.
  • Get post-surgery prescriptions filled before your day of surgery if prescribed by your surgeon.
  • Encourage visitors to bring a sweater or light jacket.
  • Encourage visitors not to bring outside food or food with a strong odor into the center.
  • Pediatric patients should wear footless clothing and bring a pair of socks.
  • If you cannot reach your surgeon, report your illness to Lowery A. Woodall Outpatient Surgery Center staff by calling (601) 579-3400, (601) 579-3427, or (601) 579-3435.

Patient Surgery Status Text Messaging

At Lowery A. Woodall Outpatient Surgery Center (LAW), we strive to keep family and friends updated on a loved one’s progress throughout surgery. For convenience and to help relieve the stress of waiting, we offer a text messaging service for quick updates.

Upon the patient’s arrival, a member of our staff will register cell phone numbers for text messaging. Texts on the patient’s care status will be sent directly to the recipients during the procedure.

Here is one example of the messages: “The patient’s procedure has begun.”

Please note this is a one-way communication service. It is not possible to reply back to a physician or nurse through these text messages. Also, to safeguard the patient’s privacy and comply with HIPAA guidelines, messages are encrypted and only sent by authorized medical staff.

Some carriers may not support this service. While this is a free service of our center, standard carrier rates and charges may apply.

For more information about this service, ask the pre-op nurse involved in your care when you sign in for your procedure.

Outpatient Surgery
Hattiesburg, MS
Ambulatory Surgery Center
Hattiesburg Clinic - Main
415 S. 28th Ave.
5th Floor
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
Get Directions
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Outpatient Surgery
Hattiesburg, MS
Lowery A. Woodall Outpatient Surgery Center
Lowery A. Woodall Outpatient Surgery Center
105 S. 28th Ave.
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
Get Directions
Monday - Friday
6 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Back to Top