ASC Hours:
6:00AM to 4:00PM Monday-Thursday and 7:00AM to 4:00PM Friday
WHAT IS MY TIME FOR SURGERY?
We will not be able to give you your arrival time until the day before surgery. Even then, it can be subject to change if we add or cancel a surgery from the lineup. Surgery arrival times can be as early as 6:30 AM for the first patient of the day. The surgeons generally do the cataract surgeries first, followed by their specialty cases. We start with our local, Missoula patients and then branch our way out to the cities and towns farther away. This will give those patients additional time to arrive. If you have any scheduling preferences, please let us know and we will do our best to be accommodating. Please understand that surgery schedules are constantly changing, and we do our best to accommodate you.
*IMPORTANT: If you will not be at your home phone number the day before, or the day of surgery, please call and give us a number where you may be reached on that day.
SHOULD I BRING MY EYE DROPS WITH ME TO MY SURGERY?
Yes. Please bring all eye drops to your surgery with you. The nurses like you to have them after the surgery when they are helping you review your post-operative instructions. We then can make sure you have received the correct eye drops, and you fully understand the eye drop regimen.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO MY SURGERY?
Please wear loose, comfortable clothing. We prefer a short sleeve top that buttons up the front. Please do NOT wear t-shirts that are tight around the neck. Also, please do not wear pantyhose, makeup, perfume, cologne or aftershave. Wear low heel shoes. Please leave jewelry and other valuables at home. You will have your own locker, but the Surgery Center cannot be held liable for loss or damage of any personal property. Thank you.
I DON’T OWN A SHORT SLEEVE, BUTTON DOWN SHIRT- SHOULD I BUY ONE?
No. A polo shirt, a V-neck shirt, or a loose fitting t-shirt will be appropriate. The nurses need to be able to access your chest for EKG leads, your arm for a blood pressure cuff, and the IV site.
DO I NEED A DRIVER ON MY SURGERY DAY?
Yes. You will be under the influence of conscious sedation and should not drive, or make any critical or legal decisions for 24 hours. Your driver needs to be a responsible adult over the age of 18.
DOES MY DRIVER NEED TO STAY WHEN I AM IN SURGERY?
Yes. Please instruct your drive to stay the entire time you are at the surgery center. You will need a responsible adult over the age of 18 to receive and sign your discharge instructions.
WHAT KIND OF SEDATION WILL BE ADMINISTERED?
You will be under IV conscious sedation, which will make you feel comfortable and relaxed. We do not use general anesthetic.
CAN I EAT AND DRINK BEFORE SURGERY?
Eating and drinking instruction prior to surgery will be discussed with you the day before surgery. Please take any medication your surgeon has instructed you to take.
APPROXIMATE SURGERY/APPOINTMENT TIMES:
Cat/ASCAN/Cons: Three hours
Postop/Preop: One hour
Cataract Surgery: 1.5 —2 hours, from arrival time (One hour of preop, approximately half hour surgery)
YAG laser: 30 minutes (Laser itself takes only a few minutes)
SLT laser: 30 minutes (Laser itself takes only a few minutes)
I LIVE OUT OF TOWN AND AM PLANNING ON STAYING OVERNIGHT; DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS WHERE TO STAY?
Yes. We have a hotel list and there are a few that offer a discount for patients having surgery. (see attached)
DUE TO PATIENT CONFIDENTIALITY, WE CANNOT RELEASE ANY INFORMATION REGARDING YOUR SURGERY TO ANYONE WITHOUT YOUR PRIOR APPROVAL. PLEASE MAKE FAMILY AND FRIENDS AWARE OF THIS.