Michael T. Brown, M.D., F.A.C.S. P. Kurt Bamberger, M.D., F.A.C.S. Amber D. Brown, PA-C (610) fax (610) BEFORE YOUR SURGERY

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1 BEFORE YOUR SURGERY Prior to your surgery, you will have a PRE-ADMISSION TESTING APPOINTMENT (PAT). Some PAT appointments require you to go to the hospital for an in-person appointment; the other option is a telephone PAT appointment. You will be told at the time of surgery scheduling what to expect depending on what type of surgery you are having and where it is taking place. PAT for surgery at the Reading Hospital It can either be a telephone appointment or you will be asked to schedule an in-person appointment. For Telephone Appointments You will receive a call from the Pre-Admissions Testing office to review your insurance information and benefits and set up a time for your Pre-Admissions telephone appointment. If you do not hear from them within 7 DAYS PRIOR TO YOUR SURGERY DATE, please call them directly to schedule your appointment. o Monday Friday 8 am 7 pm o Sunday 3:30 pm 7 pm For In-Person Appointments You will receive a call from the Pre-Admissions Testing office to review your insurance information and benefits and set up a time for your Pre-Admissions appointment. If you do not hear from them within 7 DAYS PRIOR TO YOUR SURGERY DATE, please call them directly to schedule your appointment. o Monday Friday 8 am 7 pm o Sunday 3:30 pm 7 pm Pre-Admission Testing (PAT) is at the Reading Healthplex at 423 S. 7th Avenue, West Reading, PA Valet parking is available. There are no dietary restrictions before this appointment. PAT for Surgery at The Reading Hopsital SurgiCenter at Spring Ridge The SurgiCenter PAT appointments are telephone appointments only. You will receive two calls from The SurgiCenter one to review your insurance information and benefits and one to conduct the PAT appointment on the telephone. If you are not available when you receive these calls, it is NECESSARY for you to return the calls. o Benefits Review o PAT Appointment Failure to do so will delay your surgery.

2 THE TIME OF YOUR SURGERY If your surgery is scheduled at The Reading Hospital, you will be called by the facility the day before your surgery with your ARRIVAL time.. If you do not hear from them, please call: o For Surgery o For Stereotactic Biopsy If your surgery is schedule at The SurgiCenter at Spring Ridge, you will receive a call from them 3 days prior to your surgery day with your ARRIVAL time. If you do not hear from them, please call: o WHERE TO GO FOR YOUR SURGERY o Surgery at the Reading Hospital Healthplex is located at 423 S. 7th Avenue, West Reading, PA Valet parking is available. (This is the same place that you went for Pre-Admission Testing) o If your surgery is at Reading Hospital SurgiCenter at Spring Ridge, you will report to 2603 Keiser Boulevard/Wyomissing, PA 19610

3 DAY OF YOUR SURGERY Medication restrictions were discussed by your doctor, the surgery scheduler and the doctors at Pre-Admission Testing. Please follow that specific information. If you have questions you can call our office at ext. 12. No Aspirin, Alieve, Advil, ibuprofen, Fish Oil, Vitamin E for 7 days prior to your surgery. Do not EAT or DRINK or SMOKE after midnight prior to your surgery unless otherwise instructed at the time of surgery scheduling. Sips of water are okay up to TWO HOURS PRIOR to surgery. Stop smoking as soon as possible before your surgery, even if you just stop days before the surgery. If you do not quit, refrain from smoking after midnight or on the day of your surgery. Remember to do the Skin Prep if you were instructed to do so at the time of your surgery scheduling. Wear comfortable clothing, leave ALL valuables at home and bring only essential items such as glasses, dentures, hearing aids, canes, etc. Please do not wear perfume/cologne, makeup, nail polish, or jewelry (including rings and watches). Bring a DRIVER! You will not be permitted to drive or take a taxi cab by yourself after your surgery. If you have questions about your surgery, please call our Surgery Scheduler at ext. 12.

4 AFTER YOUR SURGERY These basic after-care instructions should be employed in concert with any specific information your surgeon has given you. Please contact our office or your surgeon if you have any questions: Pain Management: Pain medication may be prescribed as needed. The goal of pain medication is to allow you to be comfortable during your recovery and participate in activities that will help you recover. Please report any new, increasing, or unrelieved pain to your doctor. Caring for your incision: It is important to follow your doctor s instructions about caring for your surgical site or incision area. Watch for any separation, bleeding, or signs of infection which include: o Redness o Pain o Swelling o Drainage of fluid or pus o Heat at incision site o Fever (which is usually a temperature of 101 ºF or higher) If you notice any of these problems, call our office right away at Wash your hands before and after touching your incision(s). Hand washing is the best way to prevent infection. It is normal to have some numbness around the incision for some time after surgery. This may subside as the incision heals. If you have been sent home with staples in your incision, you may shower with staples in place, unless your doctor told you otherwise. If you have been sent home with sterile tape over your incision, you may shower, but be gentle around the tape. Use regular soap and water. Wash your incision gently, and then pat the incision dry. Check with your doctor about applying creams or lotions to your incisions. Apply these only after the tape has fallen off or has been removed. Avoid exposing your incision to the sun. This can cause the incision to become red. Scars turn white over time without exposure to the sun. Constipation: Anesthesia, pain medications and not drinking enough can possibly cause constipation after surgery. Here s what you can do: Drink more liquids, especially fruit juices like apple or prune juice Increase activity as advised by your surgeon

5 Take over the counter stool softeners (like Colace) or MiraLax or Milk of Magnesia (start with half of the normal adult dose initially) Use as little prescription pain medicine as tolerated Activity: Your doctor will tell you specific activity instructions for your type of surgery. Please follow the discharge instructions given by your surgeon. As you continue with your recovery, follow the specific activity instructions given by your doctor. Different surgeries require different limitations on activity. Generally, you should not lift objects heavier than 10 pounds for 6 to 8 weeks. Lifting heavy objects too soon may weaken your incision. Do not expect your energy level to immediately return to normal. Your body needs more energy to heal, and this may cause you to feel weak or need to take naps. Diet: Please follow any specific dietary instructions given by your surgeon. Eat small amounts until your activity level has returned. Bland food is better. Avoid greasy, fatty, spicy foods until you feel that your system can tolerate them. Driving: YOU MAY NOT DRIVE IF YOU ARE TAKING prescription pain medication. You should have received follow up instructions when your were discharged after your surgery. If you are unsure of those instructions, please call our office at As a general rule, you should NOT drive until you feel that your reaction time is back to normal and you feel well enough to operate the vehicle safely. Follow up appointment: Call our office at to schedule a follow up appointment as instructed in your discharge summary. Some patients set up their post-op appointment at the time of surgery scheduling. If you have more questions: See our FAQ section ( Please call our office to discuss any questions or concerns with our nurse or your surgeon.