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BASICS OF SCHEDULING A PROCEDURE
As most surgeries are scheduled at least two weeks (if not, more typically, several months) in the future, you will be asked for your ideal week of surgery and we will make every effort to meet your scheduling needs. Our staff will contact you to verify the date and time of your surgery and pre-op appointment. This may take up to 2 to 3 business days. At this time, a 20% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your surgery date. The remaining 80% of payment is required 2 weeks before the surgery date. Also, a 3% administrative fee will be levied if you change your scheduled date less than 2 weeks prior to the surgery day, unless you have a documented personal emergency.
Even prior to your pre-op appointment, it is always a good idea to be evaluated by your personal doctor to make sure you are healthy and able to undergo a surgical procedure. A surgical clearance is required if you are over 50 years old, have any medical problems, or have a family history of cardiac problems or anesthesia problems. If this is indicated, Dr. Lam will fax a letter to your physician with the tests that are necessary before your surgery. Typically an EKG is always included in this request.
If you have any known heart conditions or a strong family history of heart problems, he may require a cardiologist or specialist to evaluate you with a formal Stress Test. Should you not have a personal physician, simply let our staff know to help refer you to one of Dr. Lam's colleagues that will schedule a new patient appointment quickly to meet your needs. The care received from this physician will require payment be made directly to this physician. It is not included in the quote from Dr. Lam.
Planning ahead for this clearance can truly help you ensure that your desired surgery date is not unduly delayed.
Besides scheduling the actual procedure, you will be scheduling what is known as your preoperative session that precedes your procedure.
THE PREOPERATIVE SESSION
During your pre-op appointment, you will meet with Dr. Lam and his preoperative nurse, Donna, to complete the necessary steps prior to the date of your procedure. Most preoperative sessions are performed on Tuesdays. During this session, you will meet the following objectives:
1. Review all of the instructions that are pertinent to your procedure (preoperative instructions, postoperative care, etc.) Read over and sign all of the consent forms.
2. Review the objectives for the procedure again with Dr. Lam.
3. Take your standardized preoperative photographs.
4. Complete a detailed health history and physical examination.
5. Receive all of the prescriptions that you need for the procedure.
6. Confirm that you have undergone necessary medical clearance before your procedure.
7. Confirm your scheduled date, your transportation for that date, any accommodations, and after care that you should require along with postoperative dates for follow-up care.
For our out-of-town patients, our nurse Donna typically will speak with you by phone to review your health history, medical clearance information, prescriptions, and anything else you need to know (and we need to know) before your procedure. You will then arrive the day before your surgery to sign all of your consents and to have a final review of your paperwork before your procedure. In addition, you will meet with Dr. Lam to perform a mini in-person consultation and to take all of your preoperative photographs necessary before your procedure.
If you are from out of town, all the information that you require to fly in for your visit can be found in our Hospitality Kit. If you have scheduled your procedure and are ready to plan your travel, proceed to Step 3: Hospitality Kit for more information. If you are from Dallas or farther away, you may still want to visit our Hospitality Kit since we can provide concierge service, transportation, hotel information (if you so desire), among other services that may make it easier for you around the time of your procedure.
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