BEFORE SURGERY
THE WEEK BEFORE SURGERY
- Make sure your medical clearance and laboratory tests are completed.
- Stop smoking and consuming alcohol.
- Stop taking blood thinners (e.g. aspirin, plavix, coumadin (Warfarin), rivaroxaban (Xarelto), apixaban (Eliquis), fish oil, garlic, or vitamin E supplements) or anti-inflammatory medications (ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Alleve), indomethacin).
- Be sure to discuss this with the physician prescribing these medications to you. If you are unsure whether or not you should be stopping a medication, please contact us.
- Talk to your family and friends about your surgery. Set up transportation.
- Contact us if you have any additional questions about your condition or your surgery.
THE DAY BEFORE SURGERY
- Shower using an antibacterial soap (e.g., Hibiblens scrub. Make sure you allow the soap to dry for 1 minute before rinsing). This has been shown to reduce the risk of an infection.
- Pack a bag with the following:
- An extra copy of your images.
- Current list of medications.
- Personal toiletries, slippers, and extra clothes
- If needed, bring glasses, a brace, walker, or any other items to make your stay more comfortable.
- After midnight, do not eat or drink anything. This is to avoid the risk of vomiting, which could cause stomach contents to be breathed into the lungs during surgery.
- If you are taking Heparin or low-molecular weight heparin (Lovenox), stop 24 hours before surgery.
THE DAY OF SURGERY
- Remove all jewelry, nail polish, and piercings.
- Do no wear contact lenses, body powder, creams, or hair pins.
- Do not shave in the area you will be having surgery.
- Wear comfortable clothing.
- Take any heart medications, seizure medications or blood pressure medications on your usual schedule with a sip of water.
- If you are diabetic, do not take your insulin the morning of surgery.
- Notify us if there have been any changes in your condition or medications since your last visit.
- Make sure you have all your questions and concerns answered to your satisfaction prior to surgery.
- Make sure you have a friend or family member with you, who will be able to support you before and after surgery, and drive you home when needed.