Southpoint Surgery Center

Patient Surgical Information

At Southpoint Surgery Center, we want you to feel prepared for your surgery. Below, you’ll find general pre- and post-operative instructions. Please take a few minutes to review them before your appointment, and contact us if you have any questions.

GENERAL PRE-OP INSTRUCTIONS

These instructions are the same for every patient and surgery. You will receive a call or text before your surgery with the following instructions. Please review them before your call. We will attempt to leave you a voicemail if applicable. Please listen to the voicemail before calling the surgery center.

Bring your government-issued photo ID and insurance card (if applicable).

You must have a responsible adult, 18 years or older, who is known to you and will stay at the facility until you are discharged by medical staff. You cannot be dropped off and picked up, and you cannot ride home with a stranger (including Uber or other taxi services). Please read the “Day of Surgery Caregiver Information” page.
Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery, regardless of what time your surgery is scheduled for. This includes gum, candy, ice chips, black coffee, etc. No exceptions. For severe dry mouth, water may be swished in your mouth, but do not swallow any.
If you take a blood sugar medication, you can take it the night before, but only take half the usual dose. If you are on an insulin pump, leave it on and let the nurse know in pre-op.
If you take a blood pressure medication or medication for acid reflux, you can do so the morning of surgery, but only with a very small sip of water. If needed, Parkinson’s, seizure, pain, and anxiety meds are ok, but only with a small sip of water. We are not asking that you skip other medications, but please do not take them before surgery. If you have questions about your general medications, please contact your PCP or text us at 904-854-5448. Please contact your surgeon’s office for all questions regarding medications or drops prescribed by your surgeon.
If your surgeon or the doctor who prescribed your medication gives you different instructions about your medications specific to your surgery, follow those instructions.
Please leave all valuables (jewelry, phone, wallet, etc.) at home or with your “caregiver” in the waiting room. SPSC is not responsible for lost or stolen items. If your jewelry is non-removable, you will be required to sign a waiver in pre-op.
Do not wear fragrances, makeup, creams, or lotions on the day of surgery. Deodorant is fine.
Please review the “Answers to Common Questions/What to Expect” document before surgery.
You will receive a text (or call) 1-2 days before surgery (sometimes in the evening) that will give you your arrival time for surgery. Please confirm receipt of the message. If you do not receive this text by the morning of the day before surgery, please call or text 904-854-4854.

GENERAL POST-OP INSTRUCTIONS

These are generic instructions provided to every patient for every type of surgery. You will receive more specific instructions from your surgeon’s office or during your visit on the day of surgery.

  • It is normal for your eye to feel “scratchy” for the first few days after eye surgery.
  • Do not rub your eye.
  • Avoid lying on the operative side for seven (7) days.
  • Avoid unnecessary heavy lifting (over 15 pounds), bending past your waist, or straining for seven (7) days.
  • Tylenol or Aspirin may be taken as needed for discomfort. 
  • Wear the shield, patch, or dressing as instructed by the surgeon or PACU staff. 

DROP INSTRUCTIONS/EYE CARE

  • Start your eye drops as instructed by your surgeon and take them to your one-day post-op appointment.
  • Wash your hands before administering drops and between each drop. 
  • Be careful not to splash water in the operative eye.

MEDICATIONS

  • Continue taking your home medications unless instructed otherwise by your doctor. (If you take blood thinners and have stopped taking them for your procedure, please contact your primary care doctor to ask when you should resume them.)

PAIN/SIGNS OF INFECTION

  • Notify your surgeon promptly for any of the following:  moderate to severe pain that is not controlled by prescribed or recommended medication; painful, red, or swollen IV site; fever of 101 or greater; swelling, or discharge from your operative site; nausea or vomiting that continues for more than 6 hours or bleeding that doesn’t stop.
  • day post-op appointment.
  • Wash your hands before administering drops and between each drop. 
  • Be careful not to splash water in the operative eye.

RECOVERY

  • All patients will need assistance for 24 hours after anesthesia. 
  • Do not drive a motor vehicle or operate machinery for 24 hours after discharge or while taking narcotic pain medication.
  • Avoid alcohol for the remainder of the day.
  • Smoking is discouraged as it will delay healing.
  • Advance your diet as tolerated. 
  • Be sure to keep the surgical site clean and dry. 

IF YOU EXPERIENCE ANY EMERGENCY CONDITIONS, CALL 911 OR GO TO THE NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM. Please follow up with your surgeon as scheduled or instructed.