Seeing a doctor or surgeon for a medical problem can be a stressful and intimidating experience. Many surgical offices have an impersonal atmosphere that makes you feel uncomfortable as soon as you walk through the door. We’re working hard to change that.
As soon as you walk through the doors of our office, you will immediately feel the difference. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, as the staff will immediately greet you and make you feel at home. If you need help filling out your paperwork, they’ll be glad to help. Once the paperwork is completed, you can enjoy some refreshments in our café or relax by watching the fish in our 1200-gallon aquarium.
You will then consult with our staff, including nurse practitioner David Bond APNP, CNRN and Dr. Wascher.They will listen to your concerns and inquire about your medical history. This will be followed by a physical exam and a review of any available imaging studies.
After examining you and evaluating your health issues, we will discuss potential treatment options, bothsurgical and nonsurgical. Together with your input, we will devise a treatment plan. We will inform you of the options available so you can make an informed decision.
Some conditions can be treated without surgery. If nonsurgical treatment is an option, we can providesame-day treatment for you in our office. We have a team of ancillary support staff, including a chiropractor, spine therapists, and physiatrists on hand and ready to serve you. We can also perform diagnostic testing on-site, all with the intent of providing you with comprehensive care that meets your specific needs.
If surgery is the best option, a patient care coordinator will assist you in scheduling your surgery and lab work. The patient care coordinator will also equip you with resources to make preparing for your surgery as easy as possible. We place an emphasis on education, using videos, models, and take-home materials to help explain your procedure. Of course, we are always eager to answer any questions or concerns you might have about your surgery.
On the day of your surgery, you will be required to arrive at the hospital a few hours beforehand. A nurse will greet you and help you prepare. The nurse will stay with you on your journey to the operating suite, while your family will be escorted to the waiting room. Once there, David Bond (our nurse practitioner) and Dr. Wascher will meet with you to answer any questions before you receive the anesthesia.
Once the surgery is over—and with your permission—Dr. Wascher will discuss your condition with your family.
When you wake up from your surgery, you will need to stay in the recovery room to be monitored for a period of time. Dr. Wascher will stop by to check in on you, discuss the surgery, and make sure you’re comfortable.
Following your surgery, we will help you out of bed and encourage you to start walking as soon as you are able. You can expect to be on a liquid diet immediately after the surgery, but you will be switched to a general diet as soon as possible.
When the time comes for you to go home, we will make sure you have written instructions to follow to ensure a fast recovery. Once you’ve returned home, Dr. Wascher will check in on you to see how you’re doing and to answer any questions.
Follow-up appointments for you in our office will be scheduled at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks after your surgery. If you live out-of-town, it may be possible for the appointment to be performed online or over the phone.
An ideal medical experience includes an excellent outcome as well as proper education and outstanding service by your health care provider – you deserve nothing less, especially when it comes to serious neurosurgical problems.
If a doctor or surgeon has recommended that you undergo cervical spine surgery, it is a good idea to get a second opinion.
