Frequently Asked Questions

Hours of Operation

What are your ‘hours of operation’?

In order to accommodate our patients, the WSC makes time available at a variety of hours. We are open Monday-Friday and our aim is schedule a consultation and/or surgery at a time that is convenient for you.
 

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Consultation

Where does the consultation take place?

The consultation will usually take place at our Facility. However, to expedite the process or if geographically more convenient for the patient, we may arrange for the consultation to take place in the office of the particular surgeon you have requested.

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Do you have charge for consultations?

A fee of $75 is charged for each consultation. Please contact us to arrange an appointment with the appropriate physician or surgeon, at a time that is convenient to you. If you have decided to proceed with surgery, you may need to be seen by an anesthesiologist preoperatively to determine your medical fitness for an anesthetic.

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How long is the consultation?

Although variable in duration, a consultation generally lasts approximately 45 minutes.

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How do you choose which surgeon I see in consultation?

It all depends on the general type of surgery you are requesting. We will place you with the surgeon that specializes in that particular procedure.

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How do I know I can trust this surgeon?

The surgeons at our facility are all Board Certified with privileges to major Winnipeg hospitals. All of our surgeons have been approved by the College of Physicians and Surgeons to perform surgery at the WSC. If you need any further information on a particular surgeon, beyond what is available on our website, you are welcome to contact the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba.

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After the consultation, how long do I have to wait for my surgery?

Depending on the degree of medical ‘work-up’ required prior to your surgery, you will usually have your surgery scheduled between 1 to 4 weeks after your consultation. For traveling clients we may be able to arrange a consult and surgery in one trip. Some restrictions may apply.
 

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Pediatric Dentistry

Why would a child need sedation or general anesthesia just to have teeth fixed?

When a child (or a person of any age with a disability) needs extensive dental treatment, general anesthesia may be recommended to make delivery of that required treatment possible in a safe and comfortable manner.

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Is General Anesthesia safe?

For most parents, the thought of their child undergoing general anesthesia is by far the most frightening part of any planned surgery. Modern anesthesia is extremely safe. Millions of people have general anesthesia every year without any difficulty. The actual risk of a fatal event under anesthesia (for an otherwise healthy child) is about 1 in 300,000. To put that in perspective, the risk of a fatal automobile accident while riding in a car (in the United States, over a one year period) is about 1 in 6500.

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Who will give my child anesthesia?

Your child's anesthetic will be given by a fully trained and experienced board-certified anesthesiologist. You will meet this doctor just before the surgery.
 

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Can I be there when my child goes to sleep?

O
ur main concern is, of course, the safety of your child. While the protocol at the Western Surgery Centre allows one parent to come into the room at the beginning of the case (once the child is ‘asleep’, you are instructed to leave the room as quickly as possible), you may want to consider not being in the room at all. Seeing a parent having a strong emotional reaction is not reassuring to the child, and may actually be worse than having to go through the procedure alone. And it goes without saying that having a parent faint is not only frightening to the child, but also would result in the need to direct medical attention away from the patient! We want to pay 100% attention to your child.

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Can I stay during the procedure?

Parents are not allowed in the operating room during the surgery itself, even if they are physicians.

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Can I be there when my child wakes up?


After surgery, children are slowly emerging from a very deep sleep and usually don't remember much until later on in the recovery period. Regardless, at the WSC we do all we can to make sure that you are separated from your child for the shortest amount of time possible.

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Pre-operative Information

Where does the surgery take place?

Surgery takes place at our Facility, where we have 4 state-of-the-art operating rooms and a large post-operative recovery unit.

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Do I need to have blood work done, or any other tests?

All patients must be seen by their family physician prior to surgery for a general medical assessment. For patients that are 40 or older or patients with problems relating to high blood pressure we require an ECG test as well as haemoglobin and other blood work. Blood work is required with any surgery taking 3 hours or more. Other tests might be required depending on the physical history of the patient.

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What are the rules on eating and smoking before surgery?

Detailed preoperative instructions will be provided prior to the date of your surgery. Most surgical procedures require you refrain from eating past midnight but you may have clear fluids (‘clear’ = water, apple or cranberry juice (no orange juice), black coffee or tea (with no cream, creamer or milk)) up to 2 hours prior to surgery.

Preferably, the longer you abstain from smoking, the better your surgical outcome will be. Smoking has implications for the anesthetic and adversely influences the healing process after surgery. Ideally, you should refrain from smoking as long as you can. However, at the very least, you should not smoke the day of your surgery.

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Do I continue my regular medications prior to surgery and what medications must I stop taking?

Be sure to check with your surgeon. Most medications are safe but some should not be taken.
 

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Do I need to bring anything?

Depending on the surgery you may be required to bring crutches or a cane to assist you. Please be sure to leave all valuables at home

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Post-operative Information

Can I go home on my own?

Absolutely not! Every patient MUST be accompanied by a responsible adult who may either drive you home or accompany you home in a taxi. Public transportation is not an option. Your surgery will be cancelled if you cannot guarantee an escort to drive you home post-surgery.

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I am from out-of-town. Where should stay overnight in Winnipeg?

At Western Surgery, we attempt to make visits for out-of-town patients as comfortable as possible. We are honoured that you would travel a great distance to be with us. Sometimes our surgeons ask that you stay in the city overnight following your surgery. This allows the surgeon to check on your condition and deal with any issues before the journey home. While there are many hotels in Winnipeg, patients from the Western Surgery Centre generally stay at the Four Points Sheraton Winnipeg South, conveniently located near our surgical facility. This brand new property features 76 comfortable guest rooms, a fully-equipped Business Centre, free Wireless High Speed Internet Access, and handy services like same day valet laundry service.

Four Points by Sheraton
2935 Pembina Highway Winnipeg, MB R3T 2H5
(204) 275-7711
 

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If the need arises and I need further overnight monitoring, who is responsible for the cost of the transfer (via ambulance or non-urgent medi-van) to hospital?

The Western Surgery Centre will absorb the cost of transport to hospital if required.
 

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Payment and Financing Options

When do I pay for elective surgery?

We require a 25% down payment, and the full balance 2 weeks prior to surgery.

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How do I pay?

A variety of payment options are available to our patients. We accept CASH, DEBIT, VISA, MASTERCARD, and bank draft/certified cheque payable to the Western Surgery Centre. We do not accept personal cheques.
 

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Are financing options available?

The Western Surgery Centre accepts payment from two financing companies: MEDICARD and CREDIT MEDICAL . These are independent financing companies and they are not affiliated with the WSC in any way.

CREDIT MEDICAL - Patients can apply online (www.creditmedical.com) or fill out an application through the Western Surgery Centre and fax it to 1-800-274-1471. Patient's have the option of borrowing the full or partial amount for their cosmetic or elective surgery. To speak to a representative, patients should call their toll free number: 1-800-270-9290.

MEDICARD - Patients can complete the application online (www.medicard.com) or fill out an application (available at the Western Surgery Centre) and fax it to 1-888-689-9862. To speak to a representative, patients should call their toll free number: 1-888-689-9876
 

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