Weill Medical College of Cornell University

• Home
• About Your Appointment
• Directions to Our Office
• For Visitors
• Surgical Information
• Your Hospital Stay
• Billing
• Interpreter Services
• Blood and Organ Donation
• Ethics Committee

Surgical Information

Surgery will normally be scheduled during or soon after a visit with your surgeon. Your primary physician or cardiologist may be asked to clear you for the procedure and other consults may be ordered for you prior to surgery.

The office will help schedule you for the necessary laboratory and other tests (blood work, a urine specimen, an electrocardiogram (EKG), and a chest x-ray) prescribed by your doctors. You may be given prescriptions to do this at your primary doctor's office, however it is preferred if you complete the testing at the hospital in the pre-admission testing area on the 3rd floor. You may eat before all of these tests.

You will be given pre-operative instructions. You should ask to speak with a Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, or Physician Assistant before surgery to make sure you understand the instructions and that your test results are normal.

When you schedule your surgery, you should be given an instruction sheet about what to expect after surgery. This instruction sheet will be explained to you by a Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, or Physician Assistant.

If you develop any new symptoms or illnesses after scheduling your surgery but before your surgery date make sure you speak with a Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, or Physician Assistant before surgery.

A surgical coordinator will check with your insurance company regarding fees and necessary pre-authorizations. You should be notified of this information before your surgery.

Please be sure to ask any member of your healthcare team if you have further questions about your upcoming surgery.