Access Placement: Questions to Ask Your Surgeon

Meeting your surgeon for the first time can raise many questions. Use this list to guide your visit and write down any other questions you may have. Consider bringing a family member or friend for support and to help ask questions as well.

Understanding the procedure

• How long is the procedure?
• Where on my body will my access be placed?
• Will I be asleep? Does this procedure require general anesthesia?
• Will I have stitches or a wound that I need to take care of?
• What are the most common risks of access placement?
• If I have serious heart, lung, or bleeding problems, do I need to see any specialists before the procedure?
• Are there any tests that I need to do before the procedure?

Preparing for placement

• Can I take blood thinners (e.g., Aspirin, Coumadin®, Warfarin, Plavix®, Clopidogrel) before the procedure?
• Should I take my regular medications the morning of the procedure?
• Can I eat or drink the night before the procedure?

Recovery and caring for your access

• Will I go home after the procedure or stay overnight at the hospital?
• What is typical healing like after the procedure (for example pain, wound, scar)?
• What should I do to treat pain after the procedure?
• When can I take a shower or a bath after the procedure?
• Will I have any exercise restrictions after the procedure?
• Should I remove the bandage myself, or wait for a clinic visit?

We are here to help

We are here to support you along the way. Talk to your care team if you have any questions about your visit with the surgeon.

This serves only as a guide. Talk with your healthcare provider for more information based on your health needs.