Initial Appointment
When Scheduling Your Appointment
After an appointment to an OSF Medical Group - General Surgery office has been made, it is important to fill out the appropriate forms prior to your scheduled appointment.It is essential to answer all information as completely and accurately as possible- the safety of an operation starts with a complete medical history.
Make sure to include all medications that you have been taking as well as the dose and frequency of these drugs. In addition to current medications, please mention any you have recently taken (even if you are no longer taking them). This list should include prescription drugs, over the counter (OTC) medications, herbal supplements and if applicable, any illegal substances.
We urge you to bring your medications to our office for review. This is necessary to avoid reactions that could occur when anesthesia is being administered or during surgery. It is important that you list all allergies and reactions to medication.
Check to see if your insurance company or HMO requires pre-certification before you are seen by a surgeon.If you fail to do this, you may have charges that an insurance company or HMO does not pay. You can contact your third party carrier by calling the number on the back of the coverage card or through your insurance agent. If you have medical insurance through your job, your Human Resources personnel should be able to give you a number to contact.
Sometimes it is necessary to have pre-certification if you require surgery or additional tests. Again, it is your responsibility to make sure that your carrier has been notified. Please feel free to check with our front office for any questions you may have regarding this process.
Surgical Evaluation
At the time of your appointment, you will:
- Undergo a review of your medical history
- Have a physical examination
- Discuss treatment options and alternatives
If surgery is indicated, you will:
- Select a day to have surgery
- Be given instructions in preparing for surgery
Sometimes it is necessary to see a medical consultant prior to scheduling surgery. This might be important to assess your risk and provide specialized medical care. If a consultation is required, it is most often scheduled before you leave the surgical office.
You may have questions, concerns, and even fears about surgery. Your apprehension may be about your prognosis, anesthesia, pain, your ability to take care of yourself, or financial issues among others.Do not be afraid to write down a list of your concerns to discuss at the surgical evaluation.
We welcome you to bring along a relative or trusted friend who may ask questions that you may not have considered or who can help jog your memory after an appointment.
Office Procedures
为了您的方便,一些基本的办公程序are often performed at the time of the initial evaluation.
If you have concerns about your ability to drive following a medical procedure, please make arrangements in advance to have a responsible party available to take you home.