For your health and safety we are very strict about the procedure process. Always review the following steps.

1. Eight Hours Before

Unless you request or are told otherwise your procedure will be done with IV sedation. Because of this you should not have anything to eat or drink 8 hours prior to your appointment time. If you eat or drink anything less than 8 hours before your appointment, you may be rescheduled. This is not punishment, but intended to keep you safe during the procedure. The procedure usually requires that you lay on your stomach, which can put pressure on a full stomach. The sedation can sometimes cause nauseousness, which when added to a full stomach can result in vomiting. At the same time the sedation can slow reflexes, so you may not be able to prevent your stomach contents from going into your lungs, which is dangerous and life threatening.

2. Medical History

If you have a complicated medical history it may be necessary for your primary physician or specialist to provide us with a clearance which states that your condition is stable, and that you are not a risk for complications.

3. Medications

Take all of your required regular medications with a sip of water except for the medications listed below. No coffee, juice, broth, or tea just a small sip of water (1-2 ounces) sufficient to swallow pills.

You must stop certain medications prior to your procedure.

7 DAYS
ANACID                                                                              
ASPIRIN                                                                                      
CLINORIL                                                                      
EQUAZINE                                                                       
EXCEDRIN                                                          
FELDENE                                                                                             
FIORINAL                                                                                                
FISH OIL                                                                                                
GARLIC
GINSENG 
HERBS THAT START WITH "G"
PERCODAN
SALSALATE
VITAMIN E

5 DAYS
INDOCIN
LODINE
RELAFEN
TORADOL
VOLTAREN

3 DAYS
ADVIL
ALEVE
ARTHROTEC
DAYPRO
DUEXIS
IBUPROFEN
KETOPROFEN
MOBIC
MOTRIN
NAPROSYN
NAPROXEN
NIACIN
PIROXICAM
TOLECTIN
VICOPROFEN

VARIES
AGGRENOX 
APIXABAN
BRILINTA
COUMADIN
EFFIENT
ELIQUIS
FONDAPARINUX
FRAGMIN
HEPARIN
LOVENOX SHOTS
PERSANTINE
PLAVIX
PLETAL
PRADAXA
TICLID
TRENTAL
XARELTO

4. What to Wear to Your Procedure

Always wear loose comfortable clothing for procedures. Sometimes the prep solution drips onto your clothing, so don’t wear anything that shouldn’t get stained. Don’t bring valuables or money with you unless you can leave it with your driver.

5. For Diabetics

If you are a diabetic and use insulin, take half of your normal dose in the morning and after your procedure take the other half of your required dose. If you are on oral medications for your blood sugar, take your medication as prescribed with a small sip of water. If you regularly check your blood sugar please check it prior to your arrival time at the clinic.

6. If you Take a Blood Thinner

All or any blood thinners, along with bridging if necessary, will be handled by your Primary Care Physician or your Cardiologist not by this clinic. Your Primary Care Physician or Cardiologist will determine the timing of when to stop and restart these medications.

7. Illness

If you recently have been placed on an antibiotic, are not feeling well, are symptomatic of the flu, virus, or an infection your procedure will be cancelled and rescheduled. If any of these conditions exist please notify the office prior to your scheduled appointment.

8.  Arrival Time

On the day of your procedure your arrival time will be approximately 30 minutes prior to your procedure. This allows us the time needed to process your paperwork, answer any questions you may have and prepare you for the procedure. If you arrive late- 15 minutes or more, there is a chance you may be rescheduled.

9. Pre-op and Recovery

An IV will be started prior to your procedure to allow for sedation and comfort during the procedure. Please notify the staff member if you have any limitations or restrictions where an IV can be started or blood pressure can be taken. At this time you will sign your consent for the procedure and your discharge instructions will be provided.

After your procedure you will go to the recovery area to be monitored and wake up from sedation. If necessary an antibiotic or corticosteriod will be prescribed.

10. You Must Have a Driver For All Procedures

All patients receiving sedation for procedures must have their driver present at check in and check out. If no driver is present, your procedure will need to be rescheduled. Patients requiring public transportation must have the name and phone number of the company.

---

11. Checking on your Progress

7-10 days after your procedure we will call you to find out how you are doing. If we end up leaving you a message, it is your responsibility to call the clinic back at extension 207. It is your responsibility to ensure we have the correct contact numbers. We can only make a certain amount of attempts to contact you. If you have not heard from us after 7-10 days, there may have been a problem contacting you, please call the clinic. When leaving a message please speak slow and clearly and tell us the following:

1. Your Name

2. The procedure performed

2. What percentage of pain control you feel you have – (0 to 100)

3. What you thought your pain was before the procedure- (0 to 10)

4. If there are any side effects