Have questions?

Phone: 205-345-5500
Fax: 205-345-5867

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Should I take my usual daily medication?
We generally request that you take your medication before leaving home. Diabetic medications will be individualized. We will usually hold diabetic medicines and manage your sugar at the Center. You should be contacted before your surgery leaving no doubts in your mind as to which medications you should take. Please bring all your medications with you.

People using inhalers must bring them to the Center on the day of surgery.

Some medications will be stopped for the surgery, particularly diabetes medication and blood thinners. You should bring these medications with you the day of surgery. Please call us with any questions you may have.

May I continue my herbal medications?
Herbal medications may have harmful effects on the surgery. Many of these remedies may effect your clotting mechanism and interfere with the anesthetic agents. (The list of drugs and their side effects are too great for this site.) We generally request that you stop these medications two weeks before surgery. Please remember to mention these remedies when being asked about medication.

Who may accompany me?
You are welcome to have friends and family with you.  We require only one responsible adult to take you home and stay with you for 24 hours.   We strongly encourage someone stay at the Center during your surgery and be available to receive your surgeon’s post-op report.   We are sometimes limited with space and at the same time we support your wishes for support from your family and friends.  We will do our best to accommodate all of your visitors.

When a patient is a child often two parents and/or guardians will accompany him or her to the Center. We will do our best to accommodate everyone, however, visiting by friends or family may be limited due to space constraints.  We will do our best to accommodate your visitors and ask that parents help us manage the family and/or friends.

If possible, please refrain from bringing young children to the Center as guests.

Will I receive sedation before going into the operating room?

We will individualize each patient’s care.