FAQs

Please notify the physician and OSC at 870-935-8500 as early as possible if you cannot make your scheduled appointment. Early notification can help us better accommodate you and other patients.

Please wear comfortable clothing. Cotton underwear, button-down shirts or blouses are best. Wear comfortable shoes. Leave all jewelry at home, including body-piercing jewelry. Children may wear pajamas, but please refrain from placing them in footed pajamas.

You refrain from eating and/or drinking prior to your procedure in order to prevent the risks of aspirating gastric contents during your procedure. This complication is very serious and you need to strictly abide by our recommendations. This has nothing to do with nausea and vomiting after your procedure as some think.

We have very clear policies as to specific times before your procedure when you must refrain from eating and/or drinking. These are all based on safety standards. Please note that the standards have been revised recently. We believe that the fasting time should be as short as possible before your procedure. You will not improve your safety by not eating or drinking longer than necessary.

Your physician will inform you if any of your medications should be stopped prior to your procedure. Please call your physician with any questions you may have regarding your medications. People using inhalers must bring them to the Center on the day of the procedure.

Many herbal medications may affect your clotting mechanism and interfere with the anesthetic agents. (The list of drugs and their side effects are too great for this site.) Please ask your physician when you should stop these medications. Please remember to mention these remedies when being asked about medication.

You are welcome to bring one person with you to the Center. That person will be allowed to be with you before your procedure and may sit with you after the procedure if you so choose. The person accompanying you, driving you home, and remaining with you overnight must be a responsible adult 18 years or older.

When a patient is a child often two parents and/or guardians will accompany him or her to the Center. Both parents will be allowed to stay with the child before the procedure and in the recovery area, but please refrain from bringing additional guests.

Please refrain from bringing young children to the Center as guests.

We will individualize each patient’s care. Typically we do not provide sedation prior to transfer to the GI procedure room, however, surgery patients will be interviewed by the anesthesiologist in pre op and generally receive a dose of sedation before being transferred to the operating room.

Yes. We call each patient before the procedure date to confirm the appointment time, obtain a brief health history, and hopefully answer any of your questions.

Yes. You can comfortably take a shower, bathe, brush your teeth, etc. We recommend you refrain from applying body lotions as this may hinder our ability to apply the cardiac monitors.

If you are not feeling well, please contact your physician immediately.

This will not affect your procedure.

It is very important for us to be aware of this possibility. If there is any doubt please contact us immediately.

Any patient receiving sedation should not drive until the next day. A patient receiving sedation for a procedure needs a ride home.

All patients are required to have a ride home and will be received by a responsible adult when they arrive home. The person accompanying you, driving you home and remaining with you overnight must be a responsible adult 18 years or older. Patients will not be allowed to drive, walk or take public transportation after sedation. Please make the appropriate arrangements.

We will make every effort to accommodate any special need you may have. We strongly encourage you to call the Center in advance so that we can properly prepare to make you comfortable. Do not hesitate to call and suggest anything that may make your day easier.

Yes. Please bring any walkers, assistive devices, hearing aids, etc.

Bring insurance identification cards, driver’s license, co-payments
Make sure you have a ride home and someone to care for you at home
Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing
Leave all jewelry and valuables at home

For safety purposes it is highly recommended that nail polish, artificial nails, false lashes and permanent jewelry be removed prior to your surgical procedure.