CentraCare - Willmar Surgery Center
Patient Information

Preparing for Your Surgery/Procedure

A nurse will call you two days before your surgery/procedure to review your medical history, discuss special instructions you need to follow, and answer any questions you may have.

Contact your doctor of the Surgery Center if you have a fever, cough, cold, vomiting or diarrhea. We may need to reschedule your surgery/procedure. If you think you may be pregnant, please notify your surgeon. Some anesthesia medications may be harmful to a developing fetus.

Surgery / Procedure Checklist:

  1. A responsible adult needs to drive you home. We would like them to stay in the surgery center during your procedure. You will not be able to drive a vehicle the day of your procedure because of the anesthesia medicines. Do not plan on using public transportation.
  2. A responsible adult must stay with you for the rest of the day and through the night following the procedure.
  3. If you have small children, make childcare arrangements so you can rest when you get home.
  4. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight to prevent complications from the anesthesia. If you eat or drink, your procedure may be cancelled. Young children may be given special instructions.
  5. Do not take any medications after midnight unless instructed by the surgery center staff. If you are told to take a medication the morning of your procedure, it is very important that you take it. Certain medications protect your heart during your procedure.
  6. Bring all prescription and over the counter medications (or a list of those medications with dosages) to your appointment. If you use an inhaler, bring it with you.
  7. Shower or bathe the morning of the procedure to lower the chance of infection. You may use hibiclens. Do not put on lotion or makeup.
  8. Leave valuables at home (including jewelry, tongue rings, body jewelry, and cash). We cannot be responsible for damaged or lost property.
  9. Dress in loose fitting, comfortable clothes and flat shoes. Slip on styles are best.
  10. Check your blood sugar in the morning if you are diabetic.
  11. If you take blood thinner like Coumadin, have an INR drawn as directed.
  12. Pain Management patients should not take Ginko or Ginseng for 1 week before your injection.
  13. Bring your insurance, Medicare or Medical Assistance cards.
  14. Bring your living will if it pertains to this appointment.
  15. Do not smoke after midnight the night before your procedure.
  16. If you wear contact lenses, you may be asked to remove them before surgery, so please bring your glasses and case.
  17. If you have sleep apnea and use a CPAP, please bring your machine with you to the surgery center.

Additional Information

You need to Know When you arrive, the receptionist will welcome you and review all admission and insurance forms with you. Accurate insurance information is necessary to bill your procedure correctly. After checking in, you will be taken to a private, comfortable room where a nurse will ask you about your health history. The anesthesiologist will talk to you about anesthesia and answer any of your questions. Your family or escort will be able to stay with you until you go to surgery. During surgery, your family or escort will stay in the waiting area and rejoin you in the discharge waiting area after you recover from the anesthesia.

Special Care for Children
CentraCare - Willmar Surgery Center meets the needs of children with a friendly, relaxed, comfortable environment. To make your child feel more at home, bring along a favorite toy or blanket. We have special pajamas and slippers for children. We encourage you to talk to your child about the surgery to help them be less fearful.

You will stay with your child in the admission room until they go to the surgery room. You’ll be together again as soon as possible after the initial recovery period. We recommend two adults be with your child on the way home; one adult to drive, and one adult to care for your child.

Special Attention for Dependent Adults
We understand that loved ones who depend on others for daily living, need special attention.

  • The legal guardian needs to sign the consent for surgery on or before the day of surgery.
  • As with other patients, the dependent adult needs a parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult to stay at CentraCare - Willmar Surgery Center during the procedure and for the next 24 hours.

Advance Directives

CentraCare - Willmar Surgery Center respects the right for patients to choose, however, all advance directives will be suspended for the duration of time at CentraCare - Willmar Surgery Center. Though it is the expectation that patients will not be incapacitated due to the non-emergent nature of the procedures completed at this facility, life preserving measures will be implemented, at which time the patient would then be transferred to CentraCare - Rice Memorial Hospital for a higher level of care as necessary.

Insurance & Billing Information

  • Before your surgery/procedure, you must get prior authorization from your insurance company. Surgery not covered by insurance must be pre-paid 10 days before surgery with cash, credit card or money order.
  • Patients who do not have insurance will be notified if a payment is required on the day of surgery. A payment plan is available if needed.