Committed to Comprehensive Care
We understand that surgery isn’t just one day, but rather a journey. It begins with deciding to have a procedure and continues through pre-op, the surgery itself, and recovery. The ThedaCare surgery optimization team is here for you every step of the way.
The ThedaCare Surgery Optimization & Coordination Center can work with you to ensure you have the best possible outcome. The goal is to help you experience a faster, more seamless recovery that allows you to get back to living your unique, best life.
Learn what to expect when you work with the ThedaCare Surgery Optimization & Coordination Center:
Benefits of Optimization
Optimization helps people in many ways. These include:
- Improved surgery readiness
- Better surgical outcomes
- Enhanced coordination of care
- Reduced length of hospital stays
- Decreased risk of post-operative complications
Hear from the Expert
Listen to Samantha Burmeister, Manager of Perioperative Services, share about the comprehensive support we provide to our patients.
Hear from Samantha Burmeister
Before Your Surgery
It’s normal to have many questions. Bring a written list to your appointment so you don’t forget any details. Along the way, ask for assistance any time you need it. Your care team is here to guide you.
You’re welcome to bring a loved one or friend to your appointment to assist you. Sometimes they can help you remember, understand, or follow up on important details.
Here are questions to consider asking your surgeon:
- Why do I need this procedure, and what are its benefits?
- What are the alternatives to surgery?
- What if I decide not to have the surgery?
- Is this an inpatient or outpatient surgery?
- How long will the procedure take?
- What are the risks and possible complications from the surgery?
- What type of anesthesia will I receive, and who will provide it?
- How should I prepare for my surgery?
- When can I go home?
- What medical supplies, equipment, and assistance will I need when I go home?
- What can I expect during recovery?
- What restrictions and precautions do I need to follow?
- When can I return to work or other normal activities?
You’ll begin in the ThedaCare Surgery Optimization & Coordination Center program with a referral from your surgeon. Our team will then call you to schedule an appointment with an optimization provider. You’ll work with the optimization provider and a registered nurse to help ensure the best possible care and outcome. At this appointment, you’ll receive all of your preoperative education for surgery. We offer surgery optimization appointments at several locations:
- ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah
- ThedaCare Medical Center-Berlin
- ThedaCare Medical Center-New London
- ThedaCare Medical Center-Orthopedic, Spine and Pain
- ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano
- ThedaCare Medical Center-Waupaca
Depending on your needs, you may work with a care navigator as well as a registered nurse care manager. Your optimization team will assist you in preparing for surgery and help ensure a smooth recovery after your procedure.
In addition to scheduling and attending your optimization appointment and any necessary pre-procedure physical exams, you’ll need to complete a few steps using MyThedaCare. You’ll either need to sign up for an account or log in to your existing account. There, you’ll receive pre-op questionnaires and instructions. Please complete all pre-surgery questionnaires within two days of scheduling your surgery.
Prior to your procedure, you’ll also receive some phone calls to help prepare you for surgery.
A week before your surgery, the team will connect again to review education. This includes logistics, medication instructions, and ensuring nothing has changed in your health history.
You’ll also receive an automated phone call from ThedaCare two days before your procedure. This will provide your arrival time. You’ll need to confirm your arrival time by following the voice prompts during the automated call. If you miss the call, please dial (920) 454-6290 to confirm.
Day of Surgery
Follow these guidelines:
- Follow your care team’s instructions for eating and drinking.
- You can brush your teeth the morning of your surgery, but don’t swallow any toothpaste.
- Do not take prescription or over-the-counter medication without your provider’s instruction.
- Tell your doctor about any medical problems, symptoms, or concerns.
- Shower within 24 hours before your surgery with either Dial or special soap that your provider gives you.
- After you shower, use freshly laundered towels, clothes, and linens.
- Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing.
- Don’t wear jewelry, nail polish, makeup, or perfume.
- If you feel cold, ask for warm blankets. Keeping warm lowers your chance of post-surgery infection.
- The day of surgery and during your stay, prevent infection by washing your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub. Be sure all visitors and care providers wash their hands as they enter and leave your room.
- Insurance documents with your name and policy number
- A driver’s license or other official photo ID
- Appropriate medical records, including information about allergies or other conditions
- A list of any questions you have
- An acceptable form of payment, if your policy requires a copay
- Personal care items
- Reading materials, electronic devices, puzzles, or hobbies that help you relax
- Eyeglasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, and dentures, including storage cases
- Names and phone numbers to contact in case of an emergency
- A list of prescription and over-the-counter medication, herbs, or supplements you take, including doses and schedules; ask your doctor before taking or bringing medications to the hospital
After Your Surgery
Expect some pain, soreness, or swelling around your surgery site. Your health care team will provide therapies to manage any discomfort. They’ll tell you about wound care and the healing process.
Risks come with any surgical procedure. These can include infection, excessive bleeding, reaction to anesthesia, or other complications. Tell your doctor and nurses about levels of pain or other symptoms, such as nausea.
Your care team will advise you what to do during your recovery period. Understanding and following all directions is key to your successful recovery.
Depending on the type of anesthesia you have received and your condition, a nurse may take you to a recovery care unit or directly to a private inpatient room. Your family will be able to join you once you are settled and ready for visitors. Follow these precautions:
- Wash your hands well. Use soap and water or alcohol-based hand cleaners. Be sure your visitors and care providers wash their hands when entering and leaving your room.
- Stay warm. It can lower your chance of infection after surgery. Let a nurse know if you feel cold, and you’ll receive warm blankets.
- Ask which medications you will be receiving before, during, and after surgery.
- Make sure you understand how to care for your wound. Ask questions before you go home.
- Health conditions such as diabetes or prediabetes raise your risk of infection after surgery. Work with your doctor and care team to ensure your successful, healthy recovery.
- Don’t take medications without your doctor’s consent. Keep your doctors and nurses informed about any prescription or over-the-counter medications you take, including herbs and supplements.
- When you leave the hospital, a care team member will escort you. If you are going home the day of surgery, plan to have a family member, friend, or care provider available to transport you home.
- Follow all of your care team’s instructions.
- Keep your bandages clean and dry.
- Keep pets away from your wound.
- Refrain from picking at, squeezing, itching, or rubbing your wound.
- Wash your hands with soap and water before caring for your wound.
- After you shower, use freshly laundered towels, clothes, and linens.
- Your doctor may prescribe post-surgery therapies and rehabilitation. We encourage you to take an active role in your care for better long-term results.
- Working with your care team, you can prevent infections that can develop in or around a wound. An infected wound can lead to other problems. It can require antibiotics, a longer or additional hospital stay, and extra nursing care at home. Serious infections may require additional surgery.
- Ask your doctor and nurse about other steps to prevent problems.
Your ThedaCare team will show you how to prevent infection and provide personalized post-surgery instructions to help protect your wounds and promote healing.
