When Choosing a Surgeon
Whether you are referred to a physician for surgical care, or you make the choice yourself, don't take your surgeon's qualifications for granted. Make sure your procedure is being performed by a competent physician whose specialty is surgery. It could be the most important decision you make. Some qualifications we suggest you look for include:

Board Certification
A good sign of a surgeon's competence is certification by a surgical board that is approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties. When you choose a surgeon who is board certified in a surgical specialty, you are assured that he or she has completed years of residency training in his specialty and has demonstrated his knowledge and competence by successfully completing a rigorous examination.

Fellowship in the American College of Surgeons
The letters F.A.C.S. (Fellow of the American College of Surgeons) after a surgeon's name are an indication to the patient that the surgeon has passed through an evaluation of both professional competence and ethical fitness. Fellows are board certified surgeons. A Fellow has committed himself or herself unequivocally to place the welfare of his patients above any other consideration; to avoid division of fees with other physicians; to make his fees commensurate with the services he renders; and to refrain from performing unjustified operations. In instances where a Fellow has been found to violate these principals, he or she has been subjected to disciplinary action and even has been expelled from the Fellowship.

YOUR PROVIDER OF CHOICE
Surgery patients who choose Massac Memorial Hospital experience exceptional, compassionate care with an emphasis on family involvement in the recovery phase. Our surgical suites are fully equipped to handle a variety of surgical needs. 
When in need of surgery, you want quality care and a convenient location. You also want to get back to your normal routine as quickly as possible. That's why Massac Memorial Hospital is the right choice for you.  Compassionate and Advanced Care, Close to Home!

Preoperative instructions
You will be contacted the day before your procedure informing you of arrival time. Please report at the admissions desk located in the main lobby of the
hospital. You will be asked to present your medical insurance card and photo identification. 

RESTRICTIONS:

• Avoid alcohol 24 hours prior to your surgery.
• Avoid tobacco after midnight prior to surgery.
• Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery.
• Minor children must be accompanied by a legal guardian.

If you are on blood thinners such as Coumadin, Plavix, or aspirin, be sure to ask your physician when you should stop taking them. Avoid aspirin, Vitamin E, Ibuprofen, Aleve, and all herbal medication one (1) week prior to surgery. Tylenol products are okay to take.

Bring all your prescription medications, including inhalers, and/or any over-the-counter medications including herbals or vitamins that you take.

FOR YOUR SAFETY:
• No makeup
• Remove nail polish and artificial nails from at least one finger of each hand as oxygen is measured by
   placing a sensor on your fingertip.
• Do not bring valuables – all jewelry and body piercing MUST be removed before surgery.
• Dress simply in loose-fitting clothes (sweat suits are ideal).
• Shower or bathe before coming to the hospital.
• Bring c-pap machine if you have one.

AFTER YOUR SURGERY:
• No driving, operating heavy machinery, heavy physical activity, or decision making for 24 hours after receiving
  anesthesia or sedation. Make arrangements for a responsible adult to take you home.
• A post-operative follow-up appointment will be made for you before you leave the hospital, if ordered.
• You will be given a post-operative instruction sheet upon discharge from the hospital.

Cessinee Thornton, RN Click here to send email Surgery and Outpatient Services Manager Cessinee Thornton is the Manager of the Surgery Department at Massac Memorial Hospital. She has been a valued member of the Massac team since 1997. Cessinee enjoys working in a small hospital were the patients can have personalized care and the staff is like family. She is eager to see Massac Memorial Hospital grow and hopes to be here for many years to come.

Randy Wientjes, MA Randy has been sole provider of Anesthesia at MMH. He has provided dedicated leadership in Surgery/Anesthesia services for over 20 years. Medical School: Mount Marty College, Yankton, SD Year Graduated: 1986 Physician Licensure: Illinois, Kentucky, South Dakota