Your surgeon will provide information about your specific operation, what to expect, how to prepare, and any care you will need after the surgery.
Conditions Treated
Lancaster General Health offers outpatient surgeries in several areas:
- General surgery to diagnose or treat conditions a variety of conditions including: breast surgery, cyst/lesion removal, gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy), hemorrhoid removal, hernia repair (abdomen, groin, esophagus), laparoscopy, including for appendix removal and more.
- Gynecological surgery to diagnose or treat conditions of the female reproductive track, including bladder sling, dilation and curettage (D&C), endometrial ablation, hysterectomy, laparoscopy, including for tubal ligation.
- Ophthalmology including cataract extractions, corneal transplants, and eyelid lump (cahlazion) removals.
- Podiatric surgery including, bunionectomies, hammer toe repairs, achilles tendon repairs, plantar fasciitis surgery, and tarsal tunnel surgery.
- Plastic (cosmetic) surgery for procedures that require general anesthesia including abdominoplasty, blepharoplasty (eye lifts), breast augmentation, breast reconstruction following cancer treatment, breast reductions, carpal tunnel release, cyst/lesion/tumor removal, liposuction, ptosis (eyelid) repairs, reconstructive surgery after cancers, including post-operative Mohs procedures, rhinedectomy (facelift), rhinoplasty (nose restructuring), and trigger finger release
- Urological surgery to address problems of the urinary tract and male reproductive system, circumcision, cystoscopy to examine the inside of the bladder and urethra, incontinence treatment, kidney stone removal, prostate biopsy, prostate resection
- Vascular surgery to treat problems with veins and arteries, often using minimally invasive endovascular techniques, blockage removal, graft insertion and stent insertion
What to Expect
You will meet with your surgeon before the day of your operation. The surgeon will explain the procedure, the type of anesthesia you will receive, and any special instructions or additional tests you might need.
How to Prepare
Follow the instructions your surgeon provided. Unless told otherwise otherwise, do not eat or drink anything after midnight before the surgery, and remove any nail polish. Make transportation arrangements. In most cases, you will not be able to drive yourself home following surgery.
The Day of Surgery
After you arrive and check in at the surgery location, you will change into a hospital gown and store your clothing and personal items in a locker. A nurse will check your heart rate, blood pressure and other vital signs. If you will be under anesthesia, an anesthesiologist will also speak with you, as will your surgeon.
In the operating room (OR), the team will prepare you for surgery. They may insert an intravenous (IV) line for the anesthesia. Depending on the procedure, a nurse will cleanse and sometimes shave the skin at the surgical site. You may be given a local anesthetic to numb the site, or general anesthesia so you sleep through the procedure. The team will monitor your vital signs throughout the surgery.
Post-surgical Care
Following your surgery, our team continues to monitor you for an hour or more. You can usually go home when you are alert, able to walk, and your vital signs are stable. Your surgeon and nurse will provide instructions on follow-up care and any prescriptions you may need. For your convenience, you can fill these prescriptions at the Convenience Pharmacy at Lancaster General Health or the LifeCare Pharmacy at the Suburban Pavilion.