Centra Health offers outpatient surgery at both Lynchburg General Hospital and Virginia Baptist Hospital. These surgical units were established for patients whose surgery may be safely done without the inconvenience or expense of an overnight stay.
However, if for any reason your doctor feels that you should remain overnight, you will be moved to the appropriate unit and receive the benefit of professional nursing care, yet retain your same-day surgery status provided you are discharged within 23 hours. However, if you remain hospitalized past midnight, your insurance company may require that your stay be classified as an inpatient visit and subject to a deductible. We strongly recommend that you contact your insurance company regarding the specifics of your policy.

Where to go
There is an Outpatient Surgery Center in both Lynchburg General Hospital and Virginia Baptist Hospital. Your family can wait in the lobby (with snack bar facilities) during surgery.

What to do prior to surgery
Pre-surgical testing: Whether your surgery is at Lynchburg General Hospital or Virginia Baptist Hospital, you should report to the admissions/registration department at that hospital.

Day of surgery:
Your physician will give you instruction on how long you need to fast before your surgery. Generally, you should not eat or drink anything after 12 midnight the night before surgery. This includes water, candy, gum, coffee, etc. If you eat or drink, your surgery will be postponed. We recommend that you do not drink any alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours prior to surgery.

Notify your doctor if you develop a cold, sore throat, cough, fever or any other illness prior to surgery.

Male patients should shave in their normal fashion on the day of surgery.
Patients should remove all nail polish, make-up, jewelry, rings, wigs, false eyelashes and contact lenses.

It is necessary for a family member or friend to drive you home and stay with you for 24 hours after surgery.

All patients under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult for both pre-surgical testing and surgery.

What to expect
Pre-surgery testing: You will be given pre-admission tests and an anesthesia evaluation.

Day of surgery: If you have completed your paperwork before your day of surgery, you may report to Surgicare. If your paper work is not complete, you will need to go to admissions/registration. A hospital official will complete your admission and then escort you to a private surgery preparation room. A nurse will prepare you for surgery and an anesthesiologist will visit with you. Children under 14 may have both parents in the preparation room until time for surgery. At the scheduled time, you will be transported to the operating suite for your procedure.

Financial Arrangements
You should discuss outpatient surgery with your employer or private insurance carrier to determine your insurance coverage. All charges not covered by insurance are your responsibility to pay at the time you leave the hospital. We accept personal checks, many types of insurance, and VISA, Mastercard and Discover.

Physician Billing
Your hospital bill includes all hospital charges only. Physicians' professional services are billed separately. You will receive separate bills from the surgeon, anesthesiologist, pathologist (if tissue samples are examined) and radiologist (if X-rays are taken).

What Preparations Are Required of Me Prior to Surgery?

• Please do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery. This includes chewing gum and taking sips of water.
• You may brush your teeth, but do not swallow the water. If you are taking daily prescription medication, consult with your doctor for instruction on how you are to take the medication before surgery.
• It can be dangerous to be put to sleep or sedated when you have food or liquid in your stomach; therefore, if you do eat or drink after midnight (other than directed by your physician), your surgery may be cancelled.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing and low-heeled shoes. Remove false eyelashes, wigs and contact lenses; however, patients who wear a continuous-wear contact lens on an eye that is not to be operated on may wear this lens to surgery.
• Male patients who normally shave daily are to shave as usual.
• All patients should bathe either the night before or the morning of surgery.
• Do not wear any facial make-up if surgery is being performed in the facial area. You may wear a light foundation only (no mascara or eye make-up) if surgery is not in the facial area.
• Do not wear cologne or perfume.
• It is recommended that you do not drink alcoholic beverages or smoke for 24 hours before and 24 hours after surgery. Alcohol may increase the depth of your anesthesia or the effect of the medicines you may be given.
• Please follow your surgeon's specific instructions regarding removal of nail polish and/or acrylic nails.

What Should I Bring With Me To the Hospital?

1. Driver's license (as identification) and all applicable insurance cards.
2. Eyeglasses. You will be asked to sign legal documents.
3. Pre-Anesthesia evaluation form completed.
4. Pre-Admission Information Sheet completed.
5. Any forms your doctor has asked you to bring with you on the day of surgery.
6. Do not bring any valuables (money other than for payment of your hospital bill, watch, jewelry, etc.) with you as we cannot be responsible for any valuables.
7. If the patient is a minor, the parent or legal guardian must accompany the patient to the hospital in order to sign legal documents. Surgery will be cancelled if the patient arrives unaccompanied by the parent or legal guardian.

May I Drive Home, Take a Taxi or Other Public Transportation?
No. You must make definite arrangements for a responsible adult to drive you home and remain with you for the rest of the day. Please make arrangements well in advance of surgery to avoid cancellation of your surgery. Please do not allow your ride to leave prior to being checked in the pre-operative area (If surgery is cancelled for any reason, you will need a ride home earlier.)

You should arrange for your transportation home to arrive one to two hours after the estimated time that surgery will be completed. Delays caused by late transportation could result in additional patient charges. In the event of a change in your time of discharge, please provide the nursing staff with a phone number where your ride can be reached.

Where Should I Park?
Free parking is available at both Lynchburg General and Virginia Baptist Hospitals. The driveway entry is well marked.

Are There Any Special Requirements for Pre-Admission Testing?
Your physician will provide you with instructions regarding your pre-admission testing, including where to go and what tests are to be done. Your physician's office also will contact the hospital and instruct them on which tests you need to receive.

Patients who are presently on medication for blood pressure or cardiac regulation should inform their surgeon as well as the nurse at the hospital prior to surgery.

Should I Refrain from Any Activity after Surgery?
Yes. Do not drive a car or operate any type of power equipment for 18 hours after surgery. Do enter into any legal or business proceedings 24 hours after leaving the hospital. Upon discharge, you will be given an instruction sheet by the recovery room nurse with more specific details.

May My Family and Friends Visit Me in My Room After Surgery?
Yes. Visitors help lift a patient's spirits and are welcomed in the hospital. We do ask that if children visit they be accompanied by an adult at all times, and that noise be kept to a minimum, out of respect for other patients who may be trying to sleep.

What Is Required of Me Regarding Payment of My Hospital Bill?
All bills are due in full upon discharge unless you have approved group insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross, or approved workers' compensation coverage. Many insurance companies are now requiring pre-certification and/or a second surgical opinion before agreeing to pay full benefits. It is the responsibility of the patient or insured parent or guardian to see that any such requirements have been met. If your yearly deductible has not been met, please be prepared to pay the amount remaining upon admission.

Persons with no insurance, automobile insurance, liability insurance or non-approved group insurance will be expected to pay in full upon discharge. All cosmetic surgery is payable either upon admission or discharge. Centra Health accepts personal checks, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and cash. For questions regarding your Lynchburg General Hospital, Virginia Baptist Hospital, or Centra Lab bill, please call Centra Health at (434) 947-3777.

Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information about outpatient surgery, please call (434) 947-4700.