Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer Notice

The information contained in the patient education section of Northwest Houston Surgical Associates Assoc. Web site does not constitute medical advice. This information is published as a communications vehicle: to inform and to educate the community about specific surgical procedures. It is not intended to take the place of the opinion of a qualified surgeon who is familiar with your situation. It is important to remember that each individual is different, and the reasons and outcomes of any operation depend upon the patient’s individual condition.

We appreciate the trust that you have placed in our practice by asking us to perform your surgery. We will do our absolute best to make the experience a positive one.

This is an outline of our billing and collection process. For further details, please call out surgery scheduling at 713-426-2400 Ext #3 for information about hospital charges, please contact the hospital billing office.

As surgical specialists, we charge a consultation fee for an office visit or inpatient evaluation. This represents our medical evaluation, review of diagnostic tests, and decision-making. For each procedure or operation that is performed the surgeon charges a separate fee. Many times, the surgery requires an assistant. If our staff is the assistant, you will be billed an assistant fee from our office as well. Routine follow-up after most operations in included in the surgical fee.

Even if you have insurance, you, the patient, are ultimately responsible for the bill. However, to simplify the process for you, we will submit charges to your insurance company directly.

Our fees are generally set at a contracted rate that varies by insurance plan. To get this rate, the surgeon must be a preferred provider in your plan. You are responsible for verifying this. You should also call the insurance company and inform them of the procedure you are having and make sure you are covered.

Prior to surgery, we will contact your Insurer to obtain pre-certification and verify your benefits. This process does not guarantee payment from the insurance company. We will also estimate your out of pocket expenses based on your deductible and coverage, and ask that you pay this before the procedure.

We will send you a statement after your procedure, informing you of our charges. At this time, we will send you a statement indicating the balance that you owe, if any.

If no attempt to pay has been made within 90 days, the account will automatically be turned over to a collection agency and will adversely affect your credit report. If you have a special circumstance, you may contact our office to make arrangement and avoid being placed in collections.

What is Minimally Invasive (or Laparoscopic) Surgery?

The term minimally invasive surgery is used to describe abdominal surgery performed without making a large incision though the skin and muscle to open the abdomen. Instead, a scope is inserted though a trochar inserted into the abdomen though a 1/2 inch incision. The abdomen is insufflated with CO2 gas to distend it like a tent, allowing visualization of the abdominal organs.

Long hand-held instrument are inserted through smaller trochars and used to perform the surgery, while the surgeon views the inside of the abdomen on a TV screen. Specialized tools such as scissor, graspers, ultrasonic dissectors and endoscopic staplers facilitate the surgeon's ability to perform complex intraabdominal surgery using advanced laparoscopic techniques.

For more details, see the Minimally Invasive Surgery page.

• Blood tests such as complete blood count, electrolytes, liver function tests, and PT, PTT may be necessary, depending on your age and medications.
• an EKG within six month of surgery is necessary if you are older than 50.
• If you have an abnormal EKG or history of heart disease, you may need a stress test of echocardiogram. Your surgeon will discuss with you.
• A chest X-ray may be necessary if you have a history of lung disease or smoking.

What are the general instructions I should follow before my surgery?

• You will need to stop taking any medication that will thin the blood, such as Plavix, Ecotrin, Ticlid, Persantine, etc. This includes Aspirin, Motrin, Ibuprofen, or any other anti0inflammatory medications except Tylenol. This also includes St. John's Wort, Ginko, and other herbal medications. you should stop these medications 10 days prior to surgery.
• If you take the blood thinner Coumadin, special arrangements will be made. You will stop this 3 or 4 days prior to surgery.
• If you are having colon surgery, you will need to cleanse your bowels starting the day before. We will give you separate instructions for this.
• You should take NO FOOD or LIQUIDS by mouth after midnight the night before surgery, if you are to receive any anesthesia other than local.
• You may take your high blood pressure medication with a sip of water the morning of surgery. If you are a diabetic, please call your surgeon to find out how much insulin or medication to take the day of surgery.
• You should expect a call from the Hospital the day before surgery to confirm the time of the operation, as the schedule will occasionally change.

How can I contact my surgeon with questions after surgery?

If you have any questions after discharge or if you think there is a problem, call our office number. During the day, we will take your call and contact a doctor, who will call you back. Our number is (713) 426-2400.

What follow up appointments are necessary?

Patients generally come in for one r two follow up visits. The first one is 7-10 days after the surgery unless otherwise specified.