your surgery

Before Your Surgery

Pre-surgery preparation is key to ensure a safe and smooth surgery. Please follow these important guidelines to prepare for your procedure.

Follow the food/drink fasting requirements provided by your pre-operative nurse. For children: do not eat or drink after midnight the night prior to surgery. This includes NO water. Please do not allow children to chew gum, suck on candy or swallow toothpaste before surgery. If you have any questions regarding food/drink restrictions, please call 715-842-4490.
Arrange for a responsible adult to be with you the day of surgery to listen to your discharge instructions and to drive you home. Do not plan to use taxis or other public transportation. For children: we require at least one parent to remain in the center during the surgery and recovery. Please do not bring other young children along.
Discuss with your surgeon if you are taking diet pills, aspirin, ibuprofen, blood thinners, or certain herbal medicines. You may need to stop taking these 1-2 weeks before your surgery.
Remove all jewelry, including body jewelry prior to your surgery or procedure.
Plan to wear comfortable, loose clothing on the day of your surgery. Your clothes will need to be able to fit over your surgical dressings.
Do not wear makeup or nail polish on the day of your surgery or procedure.
  Do not use tobacco products or smoke 24 hours before your surgery or procedure.
Coordinate care for your young children for at least the first 24 hours following your surgery.

Review this day-of packing checklist to make sure you bring all the items you need on the day of your surgery:

Driver’s license or other photo ID
Insurance cards
List of current medications and allergies
Workers’ compensation information (contact numbers and addresses)
Contact lens/glasses case
Hearing aid case
For children: extra change of clothes, extra diapers, favorite toy/blanket, pacifier, sippy cup or bottle (for after surgery)

We will also call you prior to your surgery to collect information about your health/health history. This will help to expedite your admission process on the day of your procedure. If you have not received a phone call by the day prior to surgery, please call us at 715-842-4490 between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

It is important to notify Wausau Surgery Center immediately if you experience any of the following: Elevated temperature, cough, cold, vomiting or diarrhea between your last visit to the surgeon and the day of surgery, or suspect you may be pregnant.

Day of Your Surgery

The Wausau Surgery Center strives to make the surgery experience as easy as possible. Here’s what you can expect when you arrive at our center on the day of your procedure.

Upon arrival at our center, you will be asked to check-in and complete required paperwork.
You will then meet with a nurse and anesthesiologist who will prepare you for surgery. You can ask any questions at this time and a family member or friend can stay with you until you are taken into the operating room suite.
During surgery, your family member or friend will wait in the lobby; they can join you in the recovery area after surgery.
Once you are in stable condition, you will receive verbal and written post-surgical care instructions. Your family member or friend must be available to discuss and sign these instructions before you can be discharged. 
Your family member or friend must drive you home. Do not plan to drive yourself or use public transportation after your procedure.

After Your Surgery

It’s important to take care of yourself afterward surgery. First, be sure to follow all of the post-operative instructions given to you by your doctor. These instructions will likely include resting and avoiding any strenuous activity. A friend, relative or dedicated caregiver should stay with you for 24 hours.

Most patients will experience sleepiness and dizziness for 12 to 24 hours after surgery. If you experience any unusual symptoms or pain, be sure to contact your doctor immediately.

A nurse from Wausau Surgery Center will attempt to reach you within 48 hours after your procedure to check on your recovery.

Recovery Care Unit

For pre-approved procedures we do have a Recovery Care Unit available, requiring a 23-hour stay. For your stay in the Recovery Care Unit please bring personal care items and routine medication in clearly labeled containers. If you have special dietary needs, please let us know about them. We do allow after-hours visitors and one adult family member may stay overnight with you.