On your first clinic visit, Dr. Pigott will meet with you and your family. He will discuss in detail the results of your tests, options for treatment, and surgery. If you and Dr. Pigott decide on surgery, you and he will select an appropriate date for your operation.

A few days before your surgery, you will have an appointment to meet with Dr. Pigott. Family members are encouraged to come with you. At this time, Dr. Pigott will talk with you about your operation, let you know what to expect, answer all of your questions, and discuss all aspects of your care. On this day you will also visit the Pre-Admit Testing area (3rd floor Tulane Hospital) for lab work, x-rays if necessary, and a visit with an anesthesiologist. Plan to spend half a day at Tulane.

On the morning of your operation, you may take some of your medicines with a sip of water. Dr. Pigott will tell you which medicines to take. Otherwise, do not eat or drink anything after midnight before your surgery. Dr. Pigott will see you and your family before your operation. Your family will be notified in the Surgery Waiting Room (3rd floor Tulane Hospital) when he begins your operation. Your family will also be notified when the major portion of your operation has been completed. Dr. Pigott will speak with your family immediately after your surgery.
After your surgery, you will be taken to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU - 3rd floor Tulane Hospital). Your family will be able to visit you after the nurses have settled you in your room and you are stable. In the immediate post-operative period, you can expect to have several tubes and lines. These are used to monitor your progress and deliver medicines. Almost all of these devices will be removed in less than 48 hours.

Don't be surprised - many of our patients are sitting in a chair the evening after their operation!

You can help your progress after surgery:

Take deep breaths
Cough as instructed
Walk with help
Take your prescribed pain medicines

You will usually spend two nights in the SICU. You will then be moved to a hospital room on the 5th floor. You can expect to be ready for discharge three to five days after surgery.

When you are ready to go home, Dr. Pigott will sit down with you and your family. He will review the medicines you will take at home, recommend an appropriate activity level for you, and answer any questions. An appointment will be made for you to see Dr. Pigott in about one week after discharge. Before you leave, you will be given a card with several telephone numbers where Dr. Pigott can be reached for any questions or problems.