During the past years the methods used for performing a hysterectomy have changed for the better. Just twenty years ago if you had a hysterectomy you could expect to stay in the hospital for five or more days. Today many women are able to have the procedure done as an outpatient basis.

If your doctor has recommended you have a hysterectomy ask him/her to send you to Outpatient Services East. There are several factors to be looked at as you and your surgeon decide how your hysterectomy is performed.  The procedure can be performed vaginally, abdominally, laparoscopically, or with robotic assistance. The way you have your hysterectomy done will depend a lot on your surgeon’s choice. Of course, he/she will want your input in the decision also. Factors to be considered in choosing the route for your surgery need to include safety, cost-effectiveness, and the medical needs of the patient.

Keep in mind that your body mass may play a role in what procedure your physician recommends for you. For example a large body mass (BMI) can make it important to  rule out some types of procedures. It has been found that very obese and morbidly obese patients may have postoperative complications such as wound dehiscence and wound infections. The staff at Outpatient Services East will work closely with the patient to do all they can to see the patient avoids any such problems.

In a few cases (pregnancy, cancer) there may not be a choice for what procedure your surgeon can recommend. Some factors that influence the choice you and your surgeon can make are:

• Surgeon training and experience
• Accessibility of the uterus
• Extent of extrauterine disease
• Size and shape of the uterus
• Need for concurrent procedures
• Patient preference

There are also conditions that have an influence on whether or not a vaginal hysterectomy can be performed:

• Enlarged uterus
• Nulliparity
• Narrow vagina
• Narrow pubic arch (< 90º)
• Immobile uterus

Your doctor will discuss with you other concerns that may make a vaginal hysterectomy a poor choice for you. These concerns include extrauterine disease (adnexal pathology), severe endometriosis, adhesions etc. Be sure to ask your doctor about any thing that concerns you about the type procedure you choose. It is important that you have confidence in the surgeon to guide you in the right direction.

The most important thing for any woman needing a hysterectomy is the outcome. You want what is best for you. Your health is not only important to you and your family.  It  is also important to the staff at Outpatient Services East. They want you to feel confident that you are getting to best care possible. You and your family can be assured that you will receive the best care possible while you are having your surgery and during recovery.

Call today, 205-838-3888,  to make an appointment to meet your surgeon and discuss any concerns you have about your upcoming surgery.

The post Hysterectomy appeared first on OSE Surgery Center.

A tubal ligation is the most popular form of birth control among married couples who have made the decision to “definitely not have any more babies”. This form of birth control gives you a sense of freedom you do not have with any other form of birth control. Once the procedure is done and you are released from the care of your doctor there is nothing else to do. You do not have to remember to take a pill, purchase birth control, implants (last only 3 years), IUDs, etc. Plus the tubal is the only one of these forms of birth control that is permanent.

The procedure consist of the surgeon making a small cut in your abdomen and cutting and sealing off both of the Fallopian tubes. This prevents the sperm from meeting up with the eggs. It is a rather simple procedure but there are some pros and cons you need to think about.

One of the best things about the tubal ligation is it works and it last forever. Your hormones will not be affected and there will be no changes in the levels of estrogen and progesterone in your body. You will still have a monthly period and your mood or sex drive will not change.

Because it does last forever it is important you are “absolutely  positive” you do not want to get pregnant again. The highest rate of post-surgery regret is in women under 30 years of age.  According to Eve Espey, MD, a professor of OB/GYN at the University of New Mexico. “Things happen in life that you don’t anticipate, and a 35-year-old may not be the same woman she was in her 20s.”

Another thing you can ask the surgeon about is the possibility of having the tubal reversed should you change your mind and want a child. It can be done but can be rather expensive.

It is very rare for there to be a problem with a tubal ligation. But there are some risk. Your doctor will discuss any questions you have about the risk.

You still need to play it safe. One thing tubal ligation can’t do is protect you from STDs, including HIV. Unless you’re in a monogamous relationship and you’ve both been tested, you’ll need to protect yourself every time you have sex. Use a barrier method, such as a condom.

Okay, some of the problems here may sound a little discouraging but we promise the pro for outweigh the cons of having a tubal ligation.  Yes, there are a few risk with the procedures but remember there are also a few risk with a pregnancy.

Your best bet is to have your tubal ligation at Outpatient Services East. The staff will put you mind at ease by discussing all questions you have concerning the procedure. The surgeon can tell you what to expect during the procedure and after. Give them a call at 205-838-3888

The post Tubal Ligation appeared first on OSE Surgery Center.

A D&C is truly a simple and brief surgical procedure. There are several reasons your doctor may have recommended you have a D&C. A few of them are listed below:

1. Remove tissue in the uterus due to a miscarriage, to remove small pieces of the placenta after childbirth, to help prevent in heavy bleeding.
2. Diagnose or treat abnormal bleeding, diagnose/treat growths, (fibroids, polyps, endometriosis) or cancer.

Your doctor will tell you if there is another reason for his/her recommendation. We suggest your have your doctor refer you to Outpatient Services East. The staff there will do everything they can to make your time with them as pleasant and easy as possible.

There are several things you need to discuss with your doctor and the surgeon before you have your D&C. It is important you tell them if you are pregnant, if you are allergic to anything. (medications, iodine, latex)  Let them know if you have a history of bleeding problems. Infact as with any surgery procedure the doctor/surgeon should know your complete medical history.

It is important that your surgeon be told if you have ever had a problem with anesthesia as you will need anesthesia during the procedure.  You and the surgeon will need to discuss what type of anesthesia you will receive. If you have general anesthesia you will be asleep during the procedure. If the two of you decide on a spinal or epidural anesthesia you will have no feeling from the waist down but may not be asleep. You will be awake and the area around your cervix will be numbed if you have a local anesthesia.

For the procedure you will be on your back and lie on a table like the one your are on during a pelvic exam. The surgeon will use special equipment to hold the cervix in place for the procedure. The is no need for cuts or stitches but the area will be cleansed with an antiseptic solution.

The two steps of the D&C are:

1. Dilation – widening the opening of the lower part of the uterus (cervix). This allows the insertion of the instrument the surgeon is using. Most often the surgeon will insert a slender rod (Laminaria) into the cervix and gradually widen the opening. Sometimes a medication is used to soften the cervix making it easier to widen.
2. Curettage – scraping the lining to remove uterine contents. The instrument used is long, smooth and spoon shaped. (curette) It may be necessary for the surgeon to use a cannula to suction remaining contents from the uterus. Most of the time tissue samples are sent to a lab to be examination.

As with any surgical procedure there are some possible side effects and risk. You may experience cramping, spotting or light bleeding. If you have heavy or prolonged bleeding, fever, pain, abdominal tenderness, etc. call your doctor. He/she will discuss other things you will need to watch for as well.

You will need someone with you to drive you home.You may be groggy and have brief nausea or vomiting. You should be able to resume regular activities in a day or two.

Your surgeon will let you know when you need to come back for a follow-up visit and the results of the biopsy if one was needed.

We hope you chose Outpatient Services East to have this procedure done. The entire staff if professional and care about each patient.

Contact us with any questions or concerns at 205-838-3888

The post Do You Need a D&C / Dilation & Curettage? appeared first on OSE Surgery Center.

The procedure he/she has recommended can be done at Outpatient Services East. You feel good about this but you still do not understand what the procedure entails.

Well, we can give you a little insight as to what this is. A hysteroscopy is a procedure where the surgeon does by inserting a small telescope (hysteroscope) through the cervix in order to allow him/her to look inside the uterus. This procedure can be used as a diagnostic test or a method to see the uterus while performing surgery to treat uterine problems.

During your procedure, the surgeon will see and maybe able to repair any problems with the uterus that are causing your miscarriages. Some doctors use the hysterosalpingogram (HSG) to check inside the uterus for problems but this procedure only provides an image. So often surgeons chose to use the hysteroscopy so any minor problems can be repaired at the time of the test. Most ladies like this as it eliminates the possibility having to have two procedure.

Most of the time your doctor will want to schedule your hysteroscopy during the first week after your menstrual period. We hope you will ask him/her to send you to Outpatient Services East. You will find the entire staff to be caring and professional.

The doctor will discuss with you the type of anesthesia you will be given. It can be local, regional, or general anesthesia. Your cervix will be dilated before the hysteroscope is inserted. If the surgeon finds a problem a minor surgical repair may be done at that time. This is another good reason for you to be at Outpatient Services East.

While the hysteroscopy a rather safe procedure, it does carry risk of uterine perforation, hyponatremia, and infection. Do not worry if you have some cramping or spotting after the procedure. The chance of this happening is increased if any type of repair has to be done during the procedure.

If you are having the procedure due to recurrent miscarriages your doctor is mainly looking for: uterine septum (and other congenital malformations), fibroids, polyps, and abnormal scarring.

Hopefully if any of these are detected they can be repaired then. However, sometimes more extensive surgery is needed. If this is the case the doctor will schedule it for a later date.

Even with the few risks that go along with a hysteroscopy most find the procedure well worth having because it will hopefully increase your ability to have a child. Often the cause of your miscarriages if found and corrected with this procedure.

We encourage you to schedule your hysteroscopy to be performed at Outpatient Services East. Contact us at: 205-838-3888

*American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “ACOG Education Pamphlet AP084.” Dec 1999. ACOG. Accessed 2 Dec 2007. Harvard Medical School, “Hysteroscopy.” Harvard Health Publications. Accessed 2 Dec 2007.

The post Hysteroscopy appeared first on OSE Surgery Center.

Speak Up: Right ID, Right Care

When you’re in the hospital, nurses are supposed to use “patient identifiers.” This ensures the right patient gets the right kind of care, in the right place, and at the right time. This may include asking your name, birthday, and maybe even your phone number – or, checking your wristband.

Hospitals are busy places. There may be other patients who look like you or have similar names. Make sure you are being identified correctly. If you are concerned, always Speak UP!

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Speak Up: Help Prevent Errors in Your Care

See the first in a series of new animated Speak Up™ videos that encourage patients to speak up and be active participants in their health care. Like the other Speak Up materials, the videos are free and can be used by accredited organizations and other interested stakeholders that want to promote the Speak Up message.

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Everyone has a role in making health care safe.  That includes doctors, health care executives, nurses and many health care technicians.  Health care organizations all across the country are working to make health care safe.  As a patient, you can make your care safer by being an active, involved and informed member of your health care team.

View English Brochure

View Spanish Brochure

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Speak Up: Help Prevent Medical Test Mistakes

Medical tests and laboratory tests are important aids for doctors. However, sometimes the wrong test is ordered. Or the test results can be misunderstood.

View English Brochure

View Spanish Brochure

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The post Preventing Medical Errors appeared first on OSE Surgery Center.

There are a few things you need to know before you pre-register. For example if custody or guardianship of a patient has been awarded by a court of law, court papers must be presented prior to surgery.

It is not the law but it is a good practice to have an “Advance Directives” drawn up before you have surgery of any type. Advance Directives are documents that clearly state your choices for health care. By having Advance Directives you are making known your wishes regarding the medical care you do or do not want to receive if you become too sick to speak for yourself. This, not only makes your wishes known, it takes the burden of making the decisions off your love one during a time that is already hard for them.

Please note that procedures done in an ambulatory care setting such as OPSE are performed to enhance or improve the patient’s quality of life. It is their policy that if you suffer a cardiac or respiratory arrest or other life-threatening situation, resuscitative measures will be initiated and you will be transferred to a hospital. The decision for further treatments or withdrawal of treatment measures will be exercised at the hospital in accordance with your Advance Directive.

If you present an Advance Directive to OPSE at the time of your admission, a copy will be made and become a part of your medical record and will be transferred with you should you have to be moved to a hospital for a higher level of care. If you disagree with this policy please discuss it with your physician prior to your procedure. It is the desire of OPSE to handle every issue as the patient wishes when possible.

You can find printable forms that you may need when you visit our web site. Some are listed below:

Important Federal Information Related To Your Surgery

Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Advance Directive Brochure

Brochure with Advance Directive Form

Patient Infection Control Brochure

Patient Safe Surgery Brochure

If you chose to pre-register online please register ONLY if you are within 30 days of your surgery or procedure. Be sure you enter a valid email address to receive an emailed confirmation of registration. Double check to ensure you furnished all required information. If a required item is left blank the space will be flagged with red. Without all required information the form will not submit and your registration will not be completed.

As stated before, Outpatient Services East wants to make your time with us as smooth and easy as possible. They look forward to helping you any way they can. Not only does the staff want to see that you have the medical care possible they want the entire experience to be the very best.

Contact OPSE by phone: 205-838-3888 or visit us online at www.osesurg.com.

The post Pre-Registration appeared first on OSE Surgery Center.

Please know that if the preoperative instructions are not followed your procedure may have to be cancelled. Your health and wellbeing is of utmost importance to our staff. The entire group is very concerned about your welfare.

Below are some of the things you will need to do to prepare for your procedure or surgery. Note that there may be other thing your doctor instructs you to do or not to do.

Do Not

• Eat or drink or smoke anything (including candy, mints or gum) after midnight the evening before your procedure unless your physician has otherwise instructed you.

Do

(Some procedures require a bowel prep.  Please read and follow all instructions regarding this prep and refer all questions to your physician’s office prior to the day before your procedure.)

1.  Bring a list of all medications you are using. This includes any over the counter, herbal, creams, etc.

2. Bring a list of any thing you are allergic

3. Have a copy of custody papers, power of attorney, or any other type papers that involve the patient. Bring a copy of your insurance card and a picture ID such as your driver’s license.

4. Check with your physician about taking your heart, breathing (asthma), seizure, gastric reflux, high blood pressure medicine or any long term pain control medicine you take on a daily basis with a small sip of water the morning of your procedure.

5. REMOVE ALL jewelry including anklets and toe rings before coming to the facility. (This includes all body piercing jewelry)

6. Bathe or shower the morning of surgery and brush your teeth. Your doctor may have you bath the night before and the morning of your surgery using antibacterial soap.

7. Wear loose, comfortable clothing as some procedures require removal of all clothing including underwear

8. Wear your glasses or bring a case and solution for storing any contact lens.

9. Bring a favorite toy or blanket for younger patients.

10. Bring a responsible adult to be with you and to drive you home. Verification of a responsible adult will be made prior to your being admitted to the surgery center.  If responsible adult verification cannot be made, your procedure will be cancelled.

11. Notify your doctor if you take Coumadin, Plavix or any other blood thinner

12. Notify your doctor and our staff if you have an insulin pump. Your doctor will determine if and when it needs to be disconnected. Please bring any supplies necessary to reconnect the pump.

13. Notify your doctor and our staff if you have any internal or external devices such as pacemakers or defibrillators.

14. Notify your doctor and our staff IMMEDIATELY if you suspect you are pregnant.

15. Notify your doctor and our staff of any changes in your health, even minor changes such as a cold or fever.

IF YOU ARE LATE or cannot keep your appointment, please notify us by calling 205-838-3888.

If the staff at Outpatient Services East can help you in any way please call them at 205-838-3888.

Visit them at www.osesurg.com.

The post Preoperative Instruction appeared first on OSE Surgery Center.

The day before your scheduled procedure at Outpatient Services East you will be given the time for your arrival to the facility. It is important for you to keep your arrival time. our The amount of time you have to wait prior to your procedure depends on several things: patient bed availability, the schedule for operating rooms and/or your physician. The staff at Outpatient Services East strive to keep your waiting time to a minimum but some delays are unavoidable.

Length of Stay

You and your caregiver need to plan to be at the facility for a minimum of 4 hours. The length of stay can vary from person to person.

Preparation

After you are placed in your room a staff member will give you instructions on what clothing you need to remove.  You will be given a gown to wear.  If you are wearing  dentures or contacts lens they will need to be removed at this time.

If your procedure requires anesthesia, you will meet an anesthesiologist who will review your history, answer your questions and discuss the anesthesia plan. Feel free to ask you may have. Your caregiver is permitted to sit with you during the preparation time if you so desire. He/she is encouraged to ask questions too.

The nurse who will be assisting your physician will take you to the operating or procedure suite. Each operating or procedure room is fully equipped and staffed to handle your procedure and any possible complications.

After Your Procedure

When your procedure is over you will be taken to recovery where you will be closely observed by the nursing staff. The length of your procedure and recovery stay depends on the type of procedure and anesthesia you were given. Each patient’s response may vary. You may be discharged home from recovery. However, some procedures are more extensive and each patient’s response is different so you may be returned to your admission room to continue recovery. You will be served cold liquid refreshments. Do not worry if you still feel sleepy when you are discharged.

Prior to discharge from the center, a nurse will explain your discharge instructions to you and your caregiver. Following these instructions is important for a safe and expeditious recovery.

Following Your Procedure

• You must be accompanied and driven home by an adult.
• Please plan to have someone with you for at least 24 hours after your procedure.
• Take all medications as directed.
• Utilize your pharmacist for further information about prescriptions.
• If you are taking an antibiotic, finish the entire prescription as directed by your physician.
• Resume your home medications as instructed by your physician.
• Most pain medications are better tolerated with food.

Someone from Outpatient Services East usually calls you within 24 to 72 hours of your procedure. If you have any questions or concerns before they call please call y If you have any questions or concerns please call your physician. Also, remember to make an appointment for a follow-up visit with your physician.

Feel free to call Outpatient Services East if you have any questions about what to expect on the day of your procedure.

205-838-3888

www.osesurg.com

The post Day of Procedure appeared first on OSE Surgery Center.

With the new advances in technology, anesthesia methods, and how pain is managed, many surgeries are now able to be done as outpatient. Over the past three decades outpatient surgery has become a popular choice for many patients. The staff at Outpatient Services East is abreast of these advances and is there to give you the best possible care.

The type of surgical procedure, anesthesia, and the patient’s medical history will determine how long they will stay at the outpatient facility. Your stay may be a few hours up to twenty three hours. You will be monitored and may need to demonstrate a few simple tasks before you are allowed to go home. You may be asked to drink some fluids and eat some food without getting sick to your stomach. In some cases, it will be important that you are able to pass urine as well.

You will be required to bring a responsible adult with you the day of your surgery. As you will be given anesthesia you will not be able to drive for 24 hours. It is a good plan to have someone with you that can stay with you for at least 24 hours. He/she will need to stay during your surgery and be there for the doctor to the results with as you may not be fully awake for a few hours.

Space is limited so we ask that you have no more than two people with you. We ask that no children be brought with you and that no one comes with you who may be sick. There is no place for food to be prepared at Outpatient Services East but vending machines are available if your caregiver and visitor need food or drink.

Below is a list of some of the services you can receive at Outpatient Services East:

• GENERAL SURGERY
Stereotactic Breast Biopsy, removal of cysts, lesions, hernia repairs, gall bladder removal, biopsies, hemorrhoid surgery, to name a few.

• GYNECOLOGY
D&C, Hysteroscopy, Laparoscopy, Laser Laparoscopy, Vaginal Hysterectomy,  Tubal Ligations, endometrial ablations and other diagnostic and surgical procedures.

• ORTHOPEDICS
Arthroscopy, Ligament Repair, Carpal Tunnel Release, Hand Surgery, Bone Biopsies, treatment of fractures, Shoulder Surgery, Bunionectomy, Hammertoe correction are some of the most common surgeries.

• PLASTIC SURGERY
Breast Augmentation and Reconstruction, Face Lifts, Skin grafts, lesion removals, Blepharoplasty and scar revisions to name a few.

• EAR, NOSE AND THROAT SURGERY
Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy, Ear tube insertions, Tympanoplasty, Laryngoscope, Septoplasty, Endoscopic Sinus Surgery, LAUP (snoring procedure) and others.

• I ENDOSCOPIC PROCEDURES
Upper Endoscopy, Colonoscopy, Dilatations,  Ablation of Hemorrhoids and Biopsies.

• EYE SURGERY
Cataract removal, Laser surgery, Eye muscle surgery, Blepharoplasty, and removal of foreign bodies from the eye are procedures commonly performed by Ophthalmologists.

• UROLOGIC SURGERY
Cystoscopy, biopsies, Vasectomy, Hydrocele repairs, Circumcision, and Stone retrieval are a few.

• DENTISTRY
Oral and maxillofacial surgery.

• NEUROLOGIC SURGERY
Nerve surgery of the hand and arm.

• PAIN MANAGEMENT
Injections to help people with chronic pain.

We would like you to consider us for your same day surgery needs. You can view us at www.osesurg.com or call 205-838-3888 for more information.

The post Outpatient Services East appeared first on OSE Surgery Center.