Retinal Surgery: What You Need to Know
If your care plan includes retinal surgery, it’s completely normal to have questions. This page is designed to walk you through what to expect before, during, and after your procedure, so you feel informed and prepared every step of the way. Our experienced team is here to guide you, answer your questions, and provide personalized support based on your specific condition. From pre-operative preparation to post-surgical recovery, our goal is to make your experience as smooth, comfortable, and successful as possible.
Meet Our Team
Our surgical team is made up of experienced retina specialists, and dedicated support staff who work together to provide the highest level of care. Each member plays an important role in ensuring your procedure is safe, seamless, and personalized to your needs. From your first consultation through recovery, you can feel confident knowing you’re in the hands of a team committed to your comfort, safety, and successful outcome.
Surgery Coordinators
- Lakin Sanders - Surgery Supervisor
- Angie Tubbs
- Jasmine McNair
- Shay Watts
Surgery Department Information
Phone Number: (615) 983-6019
Fax: (615) 515-5555
Pre-Surgical Preparation
What to know before your procedure
- Before surgery your surgical coordinator may send a clearance request to your primary care or urgent care physician to ensure you are physically healthy enough to undergo anesthesia and the procedure.
- Ask your doctor whether you need to stop taking any medicines before the procedure.
- Avoid eating anything after the midnight before surgery.
- Pre-procedure, your surgeon may dilate your eye for a pre-exam or complete a quick ultrasound of your eye to clearly view your retina.
Our surgery centers will typically call you 3–7 days prior to your procedure to review all pre-op instructions, including arrival time, insurance, payment plans, medical history, and more.
FAQ's
The anesthesia group will reach out 1 week prior to surgery to review medications and medical history.
Our surgery billing team will reach out to go over any cost that you may be responsible for, as well as the surgical facility.
Something comfortable, you'll be asked to change into a hospital gown and please remove all jewelry prior to surgery.
Do NOT fly in an airplane or travel at high altitudes until the gas bubble is gone if one was placed in your eye. A rapid increase in altitude can cause a dangerous rise in eye pressure.
If you need to bend, stoop, or lift please do so slowly. Do not strain (red face). Do not lift more than 10-15 lbs. No strenuous activities including any full contact sports or recreational activities, try to limit yourself to light exercise only. Heavy reading during the first week after surgery is also advised against as it can put too much stress on the eye. At the 1-week post-operative appointment these restrictions will be reassessed.
Most retina surgeries are outpatient procedures, allowing patients to return home within a few hours of arrival. Depending on the procedure, local or general anesthesia is used to keep the eye comfortable while the patient rests on a surgical bed. Our experienced surgeons are highly skilled in these procedures and focus on both patient comfort and achieving the best possible surgical outcome.
