Local 338 Surgery Programs
Welcome Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW members. Local 338, the Mount Sinai Health System and MagnaCare are partnering to offer top-quality surgery programs that address common medical conditions, for you and your family.
Currently, we offer two programs at no cost to eligible Local 338 members and their dependents: joint replacement surgery and weight loss surgery. To inquire on how to get started, contact the Local 338’s Health & Welfare Fund at 516-294-1338 ext. 1776 or log in to your “My Local 338” account.
Joint Replacement Surgery
If you are experiencing joint pain and disability, you may be a candidate for joint replacement surgery. We know that hip and knee surgery can be stressful for patients and families. Our Mount Sinai team of doctors, nurses, therapists, and caregivers will work to minimize pain, shorten recovery time, and achieve the best possible long-term outcome.
Program benefits include:
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Access to our best orthopedic surgeons
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No co-pays, co-insurance or deductible for your surgery
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Personal Care Guide to navigate you from start to finish
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Free transportation to and from the hospital on your surgery day
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Free grocery delivery to your home to make your recovery easier
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A guarantee that you will not receive a surprise bill
Your Personal Care Team
You will be assigned a dedicated Mount Sinai Care Guide to support you throughout the pre-surgical, surgical and recovery process. Your care guide will meet with you at various points throughout your journey to answer questions, provide guidance and support recovery. Your care guide will continue to be available to you by phone or email for at least 30 days after surgery.
Your Patient Journey
Prior to surgery, you will meet with your orthopedic surgeon to discuss surgery and undergo a pre-operative physical exam. To make sure you are strong enough to tolerate surgery, you will undergo a series of tests. These will include an electrocardiogram, x-rays, and several blood tests.
Joint Class
Approximately two weeks prior to surgery, all patients are asked to participate in a patient education program called “Joint School.” In this session, you will:
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Learn more about your surgery, pain management, and recovery
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Meet with care team members and ask questions
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Undergo any necessary pre-surgical screening
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Receive materials about surgery and instructions on preparing your home for recovery
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Discuss your rehabilitation, home care, and equipment needs during your recovery at home
Friends and Family
We strongly encourage a friend or family member join you at joint school. Be sure to bring that person’s phone number with you to the hospital on the day of surgery. If your family has specific questions about the procedure, it is a good idea to write them down and bring them to the appointment with your orthopedic surgeon prior to your surgery.
Please arrange for a friend or family member to be available to assist you after you return home. If you think you might need more help than friends and family can provide, please contact a Local 338 Member Services representative at 516-294-1338 ext. 1776 for assistance.
Your Hospital Stay
On the day of surgery a car service can be made available to you free of charge via Lyft. When you arrive at the hospital, you will report to the registration desk. Joint replacement surgery usually takes several hours during which time you will receive either regional or general anesthesia.
After surgery, you will be closely monitored in the recovery room, also called the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). Patients usually remain in the recovery room for a few hours. Once you have recovered from the anesthesia, you will be transferred to your room. The team will develop a personalized activity program to suit your individual recovery needs.
Leaving the Hospital
You can expect to go home as early as the same day of surgery or the day after. Again, a car service cn be made available to you free of charge. Most patients go home to recover after surgery, but some need care at a Skilled Nursing Facility. Depending on your situation, home visits by a physical therapist, occupational therapist, or nurse may be needed.
Recovery at Home
Your care guide will reach out to you after you are discharged to make sure you have what you need and to answer any of your questions. Your care guide will assist in coordinating home services and arranging any follow-up appointments you may need with your doctors. Physical therapy is an important part of your recovery process. Physical therapy can occur at home or in a physical therapy office. Additionally, most patients see their surgeon for a follow-up visit about two weeks after surgery.
Weight Loss Surgery
Weight loss surgery has unique demands associated with preparation and recovering, which can be stressful and present challenges for both patients and their caretakers. The Mount Sinai Morningside Bariatric Surgery Program provides a coordinated plan of care to support Local 338 patients throughout the surgical experience.
Program benefits include:
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Access to our best bariatric surgeons
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No co-pays on your day of surgery
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Personal Care Guide to navigate you from start to finish
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Free transportation to and from the hospital on your surgery day
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A guarantee that you will not receive a surprise bill
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Pre- and post-operative support groups
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Protein shake gift certificates when you attend post-surgery weight loss support groups
Your Personal Care Team
You will be assigned a dedicated Care Guide to support you throughout the pre-surgical, surgical and recovery process. Your Care Guide will meet with you at various points throughout your journey to answer questions, provide guidance, and support recovery.
Your Patient Journey
Our goal is to not only help you reach a healthy and sustainable weight, but also to ensure your entire surgical experience is positive and successful.
Education and Surgical Clearance
After you meet with a surgeon and begin preparing for surgery, you will need to have certain tests performed to get clearances from health care professionals. Consultations include but are not limited to visits with a nutritionist, psychiatrist or psychologist, gastroenterologist, cardiologist and/or pulmonologist to determine physical and mental readiness.
You can expect the time between your first consultation and your surgery date to be at least six months if you begin the process at Mount Sinai Morningside.
Support Groups
Pre-operative support groups are a free resource for anyone considering weight loss surgery at Mount Sinai Morningside. Family members and significant others are encouraged to attend as well.
It is helpful to have the support of friends and family as you consider weight loss surgery and it is encouraged you bring someone with you to your initial consultation. Discussing your feelings and goals regarding surgery with this person—and involving them in your recovery—may help you make decisions more comfortably along the way.
Your Hospital Stay
On the day of your surgery, a car service can be made available to you free of charge via Lyft. When you arrive at the hospital, you will report to the registration desk. After surgery, you will be closely monitored in the recovery room, also called the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). Patients usually remain in the recovery room for a few hours. Once you have recovered from the anesthesia, you will be transferred to your room.
Leaving the Hospital
You can expect to leave the hospital the next day. Again, a car service can be made available to you free of charge. After you’ve returned home, you will receive a call from your Care Guide within 72 hours to ensure that appropriate services are in place, you and your family’s needs are met, and all questions are answered.
Recovery at Home and Ongoing Support
After surgery, you will be expected to follow a specific post-surgical diet that is crucial to your recovery and overall success. As such, it is imperative that you follow up with your surgical team and nutritionist after surgery. There are typical follow-up milestone appointments with your surgeon and nutritionist that you will be expected to keep at weeks one and five, and then at months three, six, and twelve.
The Mount Sinai Morningside Bariatric Surgery Program offers complimentary post-surgical support groups. You may also attend this meeting if you have not yet had surgery, but want to learn about the lifestyle changes facing postoperative patients. The post-surgery support groups are voluntary, but recommended as a valuable tool to maintain a healthy lifestyle and weight.