Patient Instructions

Before Surgery

Failure to follow these instructions will result in cancellation of your surgery.

It is very important that you speak with someone from Capital Region Ambulatory Surgery Center prior to the date of your surgery.
Except for medications as instructed, nothing to eat or drink after midnight prior to your surgery. Failure to adhere may result in cancellation.
A responsible adult must drive you home and stay with you after your procedure.
Please remove all jewelry, nail polish, and contact lenses.
Please wear comfortable clothing the day of the procedure.
Please call our facility one day before your surgery date to schedule the time you should arrive. If no one has contacted you seven days prior to your scheduled surgery or if you have any questions, please call (518) 438-7638 and ask for the pre-admission testing nurse.
Your surgeon and the anesthesiologist will meet with you prior to your procedure.
Stop using: Ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, Asprin, and all herbal supplements, including diet pills (except chondroitin and glucosamine) seven days prior to your surgery.
If you are a diabetic, please call (518) 438-7638 and ask for the pre-admission testing nurse for further instructions.

Day of Surgery

Who will provide my anesthesia?

Anesthesia services at the Capital Region Ambulatory Surgery Center are provided by the Anesthesia Group of Albany. You will have a board-certified anesthesiologist and certified nurse anesthetist caring for you throughout your stay at the Capital Region Ambulatory Surgery Center.

Anesthesia Group of Albany, P.C., Information

What type of anesthesia might I receive?

The anesthetic plan that will be discussed with you prior to your surgery is tailored so that you will be able to go home soon after your operation is completed. Special anesthetic agents and anesthetic techniques are used to provide a swift recovery from the effects of anesthesia. Most patients are able to leave the surgery center within two hours of their surgery. The types of anesthetic you receive will be specifically designed for your particular needs and medical indications. There are four main types of anesthesia:

General Anesthesia - during this type of anesthesia, the patient is not conscious and has complete loss of sensation.
Monitored Anesthesia Care - during this type of anesthesia care, the patient receives sedation and medication to elevate the pain threshold. The surgeon will inject a local anesthetic to provide the loss of sensation necessary for the surgery. Close monitoring of your vital signs, cardiogram, and other parameters will be performed by your anesthesia caregiver.
Regional Anesthesia - involves the use of a local anesthetic to provide anesthesia to a large region of the body. This type of anesthesia includes spinal anesthesia, epidural anesthesia, and upper and lower extremity blocks, provided.
Local Anesthesia - can provide anesthesia to smaller areas of the body. This is most commonly injected by the surgeon, and it may not be necessary to have an anesthesia caregiver present.

Day After Surgery

What happens when the operation is over?

You will rest in our recovery room under the care of specially trained nurses. Your anesthesiologist will monitor your condition. You may be sleepy or dizzy after your surgery. You must have a responsible adult with you to drive you home. Nurses and physicians will answer your questions and give you instructions. You will receive a written copy of these instructions. Please follow them carefully. Be prepared to go home and finish your recovery time there. Have someone plan to stay at home with you through the night. Do not make any important decisions, drive, or operate machinery for 24 hours after your surgery.

What type of side effects can I expect?

Patients often experience minor aftereffects following anesthesia, such as drowsiness, muscle aches, a sore throat, headaches, and dizziness. Nausea may also be present, but vomiting is less common. These side effects decline rapidly in the hours following surgery, but may take several days before they are gone completely. The majority of patients do not feel up to their typical activities the next day, usually due to tiredness or surgical discomfort. Plan to take it easy for a few days until you feel back to normal. Know that a period of recovery at home is common and is to be expected. Contact your surgeon if you have questions about what you can and cannot do, when you can return to work, and how active you can be.

About Your Bill

Will my insurance cover surgery in an outpatient setting?

The Capital Region Ambulatory Surgery Center charges a facility fee. This includes charges for the operation room, recovery room, and other services during your stay. This does not include fees charged by your surgeon, anesthesiologist, pathologist, radiologist, or miscellaneous charged items that would be billed separately, if applicable. Contact your insurance company in advance if you have any questions regarding coverage.

Will I receive a bill after my surgery?

Based on your insurance coverage, a bill may be generated for the facility fee. This fee includes charges for the operation room, recovery room, and other services during your stay. It does not include fees charged by your surgeon, anesthesiologist, pathologist, radiologist, or other miscellaneous charged items. Please contact the surgery center's billing office staff at (518) 438-7638 if you should have any questions regarding a bill that you received from the Capital Region Ambulatory Surgery Center.

Who do I contact if I have questions about my coverage?

Your insurance company is your first point of contact to answer any questions you may have about your coverage. If you still have questions, the Capital Region Ambulatory Surgery Center employs an experienced business office staff that will be happy to provide you with as much information as possible. Please contact the Capital Region Ambulatory Surgery Center office at (518) 438-7638.

Billing, Questions and Information:

You can pay your bill by calling our surgery center office at (518) 438-7638.* Alternatively, you can pay your bill by clicking here to access our secured payment portal.

*When calling our business office, please have all of your information ready for our helpful business staff.

Our surgery center office is open 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday.
Surgery Center Office Phone: (518) 438-7638
For all other inquiries, please call (518) 489-2666.