Preparing for Surgery & Procedure

Preparing for Surgery

Once you and your doctor decide that surgery will help you, you will need to learn what to expect from the surgery and create a treatment plan for the best results afterward. Preparing mentally and physically for surgery is an important step toward a successful result. Understanding the process and your role in it will help you recover more quickly and have fewer problems.

Working with Your Doctor

Before surgery, your doctor will perform a complete physical examination to make sure you don’t have any conditions that could interfere with the surgery or the outcomes. Routine tests, such as blood tests and X-rays, are usually performed a week before any major surgery.

• Discuss any medications you are taking with your doctor and your family physician to see which ones you should stop taking before surgery
• Discuss with your doctor about options for preparing for potential blood replacement, includes donating your own blood, medical interventions and other treatments, prior to surgery
• If you are overweight, losing weight before surgery will help decrease the stress you place on your new joint. However, you should not diet during the month before your surgery
• If you are taking aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications or warfarin or any drugs that increase the risk of bleeding you will need to stop taking them one week before surgery to minimize bleeding
• If you smoke, you should stop or cut down to reduce your surgery risks and improve your recovery
• Have any tooth, gum, bladder or bowel problems treated before surgery to reduce the risk of infection later
• Eat a well-balanced diet, supplemented by a daily multivitamin with iron
• Report any infections to your surgeon. Surgery cannot be performed until all infections have cleared up
• Arrange for someone to help out with everyday tasks like cooking, shopping and laundry
• Put items that you use often within easy reach before surgery so you won’t have to reach and bend as often
• Remove all loose carpets and tape down electrical cords to avoid falls
• Make sure you have a stable chair with a firm seat cushion, a firm back and two arms

Preparing for Procedure

When will I find out my surgical time?

The Center for Advanced Surgery will give you a call a day before surgery to notify you of your arrival time/surgical time.

If you are traveling from out of town, please call the please call the Center for Advanced Surgery at (800) 898-7644 or (859) 323-5849 between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM. Let them know your cell phone number and where you will be staying the night before your surgery.

Before Your Surgery

What should I do to prepare for my surgery?

• Do NOT eat or drink anything after mid night prior to your surgical date
• Arrange for a family member or friend to accompany you to the hospital the day of your surgery.
• Plan ahead for transportation home or to the hotel the day of your planned discharge.
• Remember to adjust your work/social schedule accordingly during your anticipated recovery time.
• While taking narcotic pain medication, you will not be permitted to drive. You may need to arrange for transportation to your initial follow-up visit.
• Unless told otherwise, you will need to have a follow-up visit 7-14 days after surgery with Dr. Stone or his assistants for suture removal.

What should I bring with me the day of surgery?

• Photo ID
• Insurance Card
• Friend or family member who will be available the entire time during surgery and take you home after surgery
• Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing
  • Shoulder/elbow surgery: zip-up or button down shirt
  • Knee surgery: loose fitting pants or shorts

Important: Leave jewelry, money and valuables at home.

Medications to Stop Before Surgery

14 days before surgery, you need to stop:

Any Narcotic (example: Vicodin, Norco, Darvocet, Percocet or Oxycontin)

7 days before surgery, you need to stop:

Any medications prescribed by your physician, please consult with your primary doctor before stopping prior surgery (example: Plavix, Coumadin, Warfarin, prescribed Aspirin)

You can continue to take:

Tylenol, Celebrex, Glucosamine Chondroitin Sulfate, Daily Vitamins

On the morning of surgery:

• Take only medications that are for your heart (hypertension, arrhythmias, etc.)
• If you use an inhaler, please bring it with you
• If you are taking diabetic medications, you should check with your internist to determine if you should take these medications on the morning of surgery

If you take any other medications that are not listed, please check with your internist (primary care doctor) prior to surgery to determine if you should continue taking the medication or to see when you should stop and resume the medication.