Preoperative Instructions
Preadmission Testing
All pre-admission lab work and testing must be completed two weeks prior to surgery or the surgical procedure may be rescheduled. Advance determination of all possible conditions that the surgeon and anesthesiologist need to be aware of is necessary for patient safety. Insurance carriers may or may not cover pre-admission testing expenses, but they are necessary for preoperative screening and final surgery approval.
Pacemaker Implant / Defibrillator
Patients with a pacemaker/defibrillator implant must make their physician aware. Prior to surgery, our office must obtain a copy of the pacemaker ID card which lists the serial number, model number, and vendor phone number. A surgery scheduler will speak with the vendor prior to surgery.
Eating & Drinking
- Do not eat solid foods or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery. This includes candy, mints, and chewing gum.
- Not drink alcoholic beverages for 48 hours prior to surgery.
- It is recommended that patients refrain from smoking.
Medications
Notify the surgeon of all current:
- Medications, both prescription and non-prescription, including:
- Blood thinners (Eliquis, Xarelto, Coumadin, Heparin, Plavix, Lovenox, etc…)
- Aspirin, Ecotrin
- NSAIDS (Ibuprofen, Advil, Mortin, Aleve, etc…)
- Herbal Supplements
- Weight Control Medications including GLP-1 (Ozempic, Wevoy, Mounjaro, Jardiance, etc…)
If medications are taken regularly, discuss taking them the night before and/or the morning of surgery with the surgeon.
Morning of Surgery Instructions
- Arrange a responsible adult escort home from the hospital or surgery facility
- Arrive at the surgery location at the exact time of day set by the surgery scheduler. A specific amount of time is needed to prepare for surgery, and schedulers factor this into set arrival time. Please do not be late!
- Shower or bathe to minimize the chance of infection
- Do not smoke
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing
- Wear flat shoes
- Leave jewelry and other valuables at home
- Remove all nail polish
- Contact lenses may need to be removed prior to surgery. Bring a contact case or consider wearing glasses instead.
- Bring all insurance cards
- Be aware that delays may occur due to emergencies or difficulties with a prior operation. Although start times are carefully estimated for each operation, patience is appreciated should this occur.
Postoperative Instructions
Morning of Surgery Instructions
- The hospital or surgery facility will provide written instructions about what to expect after surgery as well as specific instructions for care after the operation.
- Following your stay in the recovery room and when your vital signs are stable you will be discharged to your escort
- It is normal to feel a little dizzy or drowsy for several hours after surgery while the medicine and anesthesia used during surgery are in effect.
- Due to surgical medications and anesthesia, you must:
- Not make any important decisions the day of surgery
- Not drive or operate machinery for 24 hours
- Be accompanied home by a responsible adult
- To be able to rest while operative medications are still in effect, arrange for child care immediately following surgery for any small children at home
- Be aware that pain medication prescribed to take post-operation will not alleviate all pain, but intended to lessen pain during recovery
- Icing and elevation above the heart following surgery is the best way to decrease the experience of additional pain
- Developing bruising/numbness from a nerve block is normal and should be expected
- Swelling and low grade fever are normal after surgery as natural bodily responses that promote healing
- Nausea and constipation are normal physical reactions to the intensity of operative pain medications
- Any specific diet restrictions will be communicated by the surgeon if necessary
- If a post-operative appointment has not been scheduled, please call the office as soon as possible to schedule this essential appointment
- Coming out of a splint or a boot after surgery will reintroduce pain due to the lack of support provided by the boot/splint. Wean off of the support by reducing activities of daily living rather than reverting back to the splint or boot, using pain as a guide to gradually increase activity to normal levels.
- Following a total joint replacement, patients must take an antibiotic 1 hour prior to all future dental appointments to protect against the risk of severe infection. Please call our office several days in advance of a dentist appointment if a new antibiotic prescription is needed.
Educational Videos of Commonly Performed Surgeries
Arthroscopy (Overview)
Hip Arthroscopy
Total Hip Replacement
Total Hip Replacement, Anterior Approach
ACL Reconstruction (Hamstring Graft Method)
ACL Reconstruction (Patellar Tendon Graft Technique)
Meniscus Repair
Partial Knee Replacement
Total Knee Replacement
Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement
Rotator Cuff Repair
Total Shoulder Replacement
Ankle Replacement
PRP Therapy (Overview)
MACI®
Questions or Concerns
If you have questions or concerns after reviewing these instructions, please call our main office number to be connected to your surgeon’s surgery scheduler: (502) 587-1236