Pre-Opertive Instructions
These instructions are for your comfort and safety. It's very important to follow them carefully, so that your surgery will not have to be cancelled at the last minute for safety reasons.
- At the time you schedule surgery you will need to have a history and
physical done within 30 days of surgery.
- As whether your need to have any lab work done and when you should schedule it.
- Tell your surgeon about any medications you take on a regular basis - even aspirin. Ask whether you need to stop taking them prior to surgery, and if so, how far ahead of time.
- once you are scheduled for surgery, a representative of our anesthesia department will contact you. Depending upon your medical condition, it may be necessary to meet with your anesthesiologist.
- Once week ahead, arrange for a responsible adult to accompany you home
and stay with you for the first 24 hours. You will not be allowed to drive
home by yourself.
- If there is any change in your physical condition - even a scratchy throat - call your surgeon's office and let him or her know.
- The day before, call the surgery center to confirm the time of your surger
and ask any last-minute questions you may have. (The best time to call
is between 1:00pm and 4:00pm)
- Do not drink or eat anything after midnight of the night before your surgery - including gum, candy, or a glass of water - unless you get specific instructions otherwise from your surgeon or the surgery center.
- The day of the surgery, dress in light, loose clothing. Button shirts
are preferable to pullovers and are essentail if you are having shoulder
surgery. Loose, drawstring pants are ideal. Do not wear makeup, nail polish,
jewelry, hairspray, or perfume of any kind.
- Arrive 1 hour before your scheduled operation
- Bring:
- All your current medications
- Any eyeglass case if you wear glasses
- Your crutches, if you are having foot, knee, or ankle surgery
- Your insurance forms (unless you already mailed them)
- Your insurance ID card(s)
- Do not bring:
- Valuables. You should bring your ID and insurance cards but leave your wallet, cash or credit cards, jewelry, and the like at home.
- Small children. Anyone who comes with you should be attending to you. If you are accompanying a child patient, you need your full attention for that child and must not be distracted by caring for other children.
- Contact lenses. If you must wear them because you don't have glasses, bring the case with you so you can store them during the operation.