Pre-Operative Instructions

In preparation for your upcoming surgery here are the important instructions to help you decrease your stress and make the process go as smoothly as possible.

  • My surgical scheduler and I will do everything possible to make this a simple process. We are always available to answer all of your questions.
  • Surgery dates will be determined based on urgency of the case and the availability of the operating room schedule. We will try and accommodate everyone’s schedule.
  • Medical Clearance: If required, please plan to visit your primary physician to obtain medical clearance. This may include Chest X-ray, EKG, and blood work.
  • Diet / Food Prior to Surgery: 
    • It is MANDATORY that you have nothing to eat or drink for at least 8 hours before surgery. If you are scheduled in the AM, no food or drink after 12pm the night before. If your surgery is later in the day, the 8-hour rule still applies. 
    • If you normally take medicines on a regular basis, please inform us and we can give you guidance on when to take them with sips of water only. We may need to discuss this with your primary physician.
  • Alcohol or any other “good feeling” substances should be discontinued 48 hours prior to surgery. 
  • Medications:
    • You will be prescribed post-operative pain medication. As I will have already told you, PLEASE TAKE IT. It was given to you for a reason.
    • Aspirin and or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories need to be stopped 1 week prior to surgery. They can cause bleeding and complicate the surgery. If necessary, contact your primary physician and alert them of such change.
    • Blood thinners: As above they may need to be stopped prior to surgery. A discussion, inclusive of you, will be done with your primary physician prior to surgery.
    • Dietary and Herbal Supplements: Should be stopped 1 week prior to surgery (especially Vitamin E and echinacea).
  • Consent for Surgery is usually done on the day of surgery
  • Transportation: 
    • Please plan for a family member, friend, or caretaker to escort you home. New York State law and thus the surgical center will not allow you to be discharged unless you have a companion to take you. You cannot call a cab or an Uber to take you home.
    • Usual surgical time from the moment you enter the surgical center to subsequent discharge depends on procedure performed, but averages 3-4 hours.
    • I will contact your companion after the surgery to assist in time frame.
  • Post-Operative Phone Call:
    • I always speak to my patients after the surgery in the recovery room. You may not remember this because of anesthesia. I will call you that evening to check-in and go over what I did.
  • Braces & Crutches:
    • Any equipment that has been given to you must be brought to the surgical center on the day of surgery. If you did not receive anything you may be given something in the recovery room on that day.
  • MRI & X-rays:
    • If you are in possession of your own films, please bring them with you to the surgery center. Otherwise, if we have them in our office, I will bring them with me.
  • Clothing & Jewelry:
    • Please leave all valuables at home. Please wear loose fitting clothing that will fit over a dressing, sling, and/or brace. If you have any body piercings that can be removed, please do so.