You probably have Questions
Every surgeon is created differently. Any surgery is a specialty area of medicine requiring exceptional skill. The Advanced Surgery Center consists of a small group of surgeons that share two common factors: their vast surgical experience and their skill. All of our surgeons are approaching, or have surpassed conducting over 10,000 surgeries. Combined, our surgeons have performed over 40,000 surgeries and have 60 years of experience. Secondly, the Advanced Surgery Center surgeons only perform surgery using the minimally invasive surgical approach. Both skill and experience are critical to a successful surgery and a positive outcome.
General Questions About Surgery
If it is determined that surgery is your best option, we will schedule your surgery either over the phone or upon an office consultation. At that time, we will work with you to obtain preauthorization from your insurance company. This may take several days to accomplish.
On the morning of surgery, your family member or friend will be able to stay with you until you are ready to be transported to the operating room. At this point, they will be escorted to a family waiting area where they will wait while you have your surgery.
When your surgery is complete, a member of the surgical team will contact your family member or friend. At this point, they will be able to speak with your surgeon to discuss your procedure.
Once you are awake and stable from an anesthesia and surgery standpoint, you will be transferred to one of our private recovery rooms. Here you will be reunited with your family member or friend to complete the recovery process prior to being released from the suites.
To reduce your risk of infection, antibiotics may need to be administered prior to any invasive test, procedure or surgery. The physician or surgeon performing the test, procedure, or surgery should prescribe antibiotics if indicated.
ASCs (Ambulatory Surgery Centers), including Advanced Surgery Center of Fort Myers are known for their efficiency of care, quality outcomes and low cost of care in comparison to their hospital competition. Ambulatory surgery is our specialty and thus, we have established a reputation for excellence in what we do. We aim to “exceed the expectations” of you our customer. We and our Surgery Partners affiliates have succeeded in that goal of over 90% of our customers before you, we have confidence we will do that for you.
General Questions After Surgery
After surgery, you will be transported to the recovery room. Your time in the recovery room will depend upon your rate of recovery from the effects of the anesthesia. Following joint replacement, your recovery room stay is typically four hours.
Nurses will check your vital signs – blood pressure, respiratory rate, and heart rate – and monitor your progress. They will also start your ice therapy.
Pain medications will be provided through your IV as needed. Our goal is to use preoperative medications and special medication injections during the surgery that will reduce your pain and therefore the need for postoperative narcotic medications. Nurses will check your bandages, check drainage from your surgical site, and encourage you to cough and take deep breaths.
They will also apply leg compression devices to help with circulation. You will be able to take this home with you. A self- addressed box will be provided to return the compression unit to the manufacturer.
Once you are awake and ready for your first walk, your family member or “coach” will be able to join you and assist our team with your recovery.
Exercise and maintaining an active lifestyle are important parts of health. Most patients with artificial joints are able to enjoy many activities, though some should be avoided. In general, high impact exercises, like running, jumping, heavy weight lifting, or contact sports, are not recommended. Participating in these activities, or activities like them, may damage your joint or cause it to wear down much more quickly. Low impact activities like swimming, walking, gardening, and golf are encouraged. You may kneel on your new knee without damaging it; however, it will likely feel uncomfortable.
Yes, at least for the first 24-48 hours after you return to your home. It is always considered best to have someone there helping you.
If you have traveled to Advanced Surgery Center to have your procedure performed, you will be instructed to contact your surgeon at three weeks and six weeks after your procedure with an update. This can be done via telephone call or by email.
If you live locally you will see the physician assistant for a follow up appointment six weeks after surgery. Joint replacements are monitored at six weeks, one year, two years, five years, and every five years after.