Surgical Patients
Preparing for Surgery
Making arrangements before surgery helps ensure all necessary steps are taken and allows you to focus on recovery.
Day of Surgery
Information to help you arrive on time for your procedure and to better help you understand the process on procedure day.
After Surgery
After surgery, you can expect to have some pain. Your surgeon and the staff will use every reasonable measure possible to help.
Recovering at Home
Exercise is extremely important; activity stimulates circulation and deep breathing which speeds recovery.
Preparing for Surgery
Making arrangements before surgery helps ensure all necessary steps are taken and allows you to focus on recovery.
Day of Surgery
Information to help you arrive on time for your procedure and to better help you understand the process on procedure day.
After Surgery
After surgery, you can expect to have some pain. Your surgeon and the staff will use every reasonable measure possible to help.
Recovering at Home
Exercise is extremely important; activity stimulates circulation and deep breathing which speeds recovery.
Preparing for Surgery
PRE-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS AND TESTING
Our pre-anesthesia nurse will call you prior to the scheduled date of surgery to review your medical history and pre-operative instructions. If we have been unable to reach you, please call our nurse at (630) 946-2718 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. It is important you return this call promptly so the anesthesiologist can determine if you will need further testing prior to your procedure. If there is no answer, please leave a message with the best time and the phone number (and if possible, an alternative phone number) you can be reached at and the nurse will return your call as soon as possible.
Prior to your surgery, a physical examination by your Primary Care Physician (PCP) will need to be completed no more than 30 days before the date of your surgery and the medical history review. In some cases, you may need an EKG (also within the 30 days), lab work, or X-rays. If you see any specialists, such as a cardiologist or pulmonologist, you also will need clearance from them prior to surgery. Please bring a complete list of medications and supplements (prescriptions and over-the-counter) you are taking to these appointments.
PREPARING YOUR HOME
Making arrangements before your surgery allows you to focus on your recovery when you return home. Simple changes in furniture arrangement, housekeeping and lighting can help reduce your risk of falling. These arrangements will help you navigate your home with a walker.
The following are recommendations to increase your safety at home:
- Move all throw rugs out of your pathways.
- Adjust furniture to allow for maneuvering with one arm or a walker or cane.
- Survey your bathroom and plan for managing after your surgery.
- Move footstools, plant stands, or other low floor items a safe distance from walkways.
- Remove or tape down any cords or wires in pathways.
- Try to borrow a chair with arms (without wheels) to help you get up and sit down easily.
- Place a cushion or folded blanket in chairs that sit low or are hard to get out of.
- Make arrangements for assistance with your pets or prepare a secure spot for them to stay while you are getting settled in your house.
- Move things you might need (medications, magazines, phone, cooking utensils, laundry items) to areas where you can reach them easily.
- Carry a portable phone or cell phone with you at all times.
- Have telephone numbers of people that could help you in case of emergency readily available.
- Prepare some nutritious meals and place in the freezer to simplify cooking after you get home.
MEDICATIONS & ALCOHOL
If you are on any anticoagulation prescription medications (such as Coumadin, Plavix, Xarelto, and Eliquis), please notify your surgeon and contact your prescribing physician to find out when to stop the medication prior to surgery. Also, stop taking all herbals and supplements, vitamins, and appetite suppressants 14 days before surgery. Stop taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as Motrin, ibuprofen, Advil, Aleve, Naproxen, and others 7 days before surgery. And stop drinking alcohol and ingesting marijuana 24 hours before surgery.
SCHEDULE POSTOPERATIVE VISIT
Your post-operative follow-up visit with your surgeon will be scheduled for you by our surgery scheduler and will take place around 14 days following your surgery.
PREPARING YOUR SKIN BEFORE SURGERY
Preparing or “prepping” skin before surgery can reduce the risk of infection at the surgical site. Our facility has chosen to have you bathe with a special soap called Hibiclens before surgery at home to reduce the bacteria on the skin. The steps below outline the prepping process and should be carefully followed.
NIGHT BEFORE SURGERY
- If you plan to wash your hair, use your regular shampoo; then rinse your hair and body thoroughly to remove any shampoo residue
- Wash your face with your regular soap or water only
- Thoroughly rinse your body with water from the neck down
- Apply Hibiclens directly on your skin or on a wet washcloth and wash gently; move away from the shower stream when applying Hibiclens to avoid rinsing it off too soon
- Rinse thoroughly with warm water and keep out of eyes, ears and mouth; if Hibiclens comes in contact with these areas, rinse out promptly
- Dry your skin with a towel
- Do not use your regular soap after applying and rinsing with Hibiclens
- Do not apply lotions or deodorants to the cleaned body area
- Dress in clean pajamas
- NOTE: If you experience any itching or burning sensations or develop a rash, wash the area with water.
PREPARING YOURSELF BEFORE SURGERY
Please follow your pre-operative instructions carefully. It is extremely important to understand and follow these directions. They are for your safety.
If these instructions are not followed, it could result in the cancellation of your surgery.
- STOP eating at 10 pm the night before your surgery. Do not suck on hard candy, lozenges, breath mints, or chew gum. Drink 12 oz of Gatorade prior to going to bed.
- Take Celebrex 200 mg (or Meloxicam 15 mg if sulfa allergic) the night before your surgery.
- Wake up 3 ½ hours prior to your scheduled arrival time the morning of your surgery and drink 12 oz of Gatorade – finish in less than 30 minutes. If you oversleep or miss the alarm, do not drink the Gatorade. Take the two extra strength Tylenol with a small sip of water.
- Take two extra strength acetaminophen (Tylenol) with the Gatorade on the morning of surgery (500 mg each tablet – 2 tablets). Nothing to drink after this.
- Tell us if you have any allergies or sensitivities to food or medication.
- If you take daily medications, the pre-admission testing nurse will instruct you on which medication you may take the day of surgery and at what time. Stop taking all herbals and supplements, vitamins, and appetite suppressants 2 weeks before surgery.
- Bring any inhalers you use with you the day of surgery.
- Stop smoking 4 weeks before surgery.
- Remove nail polish and nail wrapping from all fingers and toes prior to coming to the surgery center. If you do get a pedicure do not get color nail polish.
- Do not apply any makeup, mascara, cream, powders, lotions or aftershave lotion the day of surgery.
- Remove all metal jewelry, including metal piercings before coming to the surgery center. Please leave all jewelry and valuables at home.
- Stop shaving your surgical leg 3 days before surgery.
- Stop drinking alcohol and ingesting marijuana 24 hours before surgery
IF ILLNESS DEVELOPS
If you develop a cold, virus, sore throat, temperature or other illness during the week before your scheduled surgery, please contact your surgeon immediately. Your surgeon will determine whether your procedure should be rescheduled.
WHAT TO BRING
- Insurance Information: Please bring your insurance cards and a picture id with you to the surgery center the day of surgery.
- Clothing: We recommend that you wear casual, comfortable, loose-fitting clothes that button or zip down the front and are easy to take off and put back on after surgery. Shoes should be supportive, flat, and without laces. Avoid bringing flip flops or Crocs.
- Special Equipment: if you have been given a walker, cane, or crutches, remember to bring them with you the day of surgery. Please make sure you have been properly instructed on the use of any equipment you will be using post-operatively prior to your surgery date.
- Prescription Medication: Make sure to fill the prescriptions your surgeon gave you prior to your day of surgery so you can begin using them the day before surgery and once you get home.
- Valuables and Personal Belongings: leave all valuables and jewelry, including wedding rings, at home since the surgery center cannot assume liability for personal property.
- Dentures, glasses and hearing aids may have to be removed prior to surgery – please do not wear contact lenses the day of surgery. Since these personal items can easily be misplaced, please keep them in appropriate cases or containers or give them to the person escorting you. If requested, your nurse can provide special denture cups.
- Headphones / AirPods: You may bring your phone with headphones to listen to music to help you relax.
Day of Surgery Information
PRE-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS AND TESTING
Our pre-anesthesia nurse will call you prior to the scheduled date of surgery to review your medical history and pre-operative instructions. If we have been unable to reach you, please call our nurse at (630) 946-2718 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. It is important you return this call promptly so the anesthesiologist can determine if you will need further testing prior to your procedure. If there is no answer, please leave a message with the best time and the phone number (and if possible, an alternative phone number) you can be reached at and the nurse will return your call as soon as possible.
Prior to your surgery, a physical examination by your Primary Care Physician (PCP) will need to be completed no more than 30 days before the date of your surgery and the medical history review. In some cases, you may need an EKG (also within the 30 days), lab work, or X-rays. If you see any specialists, such as a cardiologist or pulmonologist, you also will need clearance from them prior to surgery. Please bring a complete list of medications and supplements (prescriptions and over-the-counter) you are taking to these appointments.
PREPARING YOUR HOME
Making arrangements before your surgery allows you to focus on your recovery when you return home. Simple changes in furniture arrangement, housekeeping and lighting can help reduce your risk of falling. These arrangements will help you navigate your home with a walker.
The following are recommendations to increase your safety at home:
- Move all throw rugs out of your pathways.
- Adjust furniture to allow for maneuvering with one arm or a walker or cane.
- Survey your bathroom and plan for managing after your surgery.
- Move footstools, plant stands, or other low floor items a safe distance from walkways.
- Remove or tape down any cords or wires in pathways.
- Try to borrow a chair with arms (without wheels) to help you get up and sit down easily.
- Place a cushion or folded blanket in chairs that sit low or are hard to get out of.
- Make arrangements for assistance with your pets or prepare a secure spot for them to stay while you are getting settled in your house.
- Move things you might need (medications, magazines, phone, cooking utensils, laundry items) to areas where you can reach them easily.
- Carry a portable phone or cell phone with you at all times.
- Have telephone numbers of people that could help you in case of emergency readily available.
- Prepare some nutritious meals and place in the freezer to simplify cooking after you get home.
MEDICATIONS & ALCOHOL
If you are on any anticoagulation prescription medications (such as Coumadin, Plavix, Xarelto, and Eliquis), please notify your surgeon and contact your prescribing physician to find out when to stop the medication prior to surgery. Also, stop taking all herbals and supplements, vitamins, and appetite suppressants 14 days before surgery. Stop taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as Motrin, ibuprofen, Advil, Aleve, Naproxen, and others 7 days before surgery. And stop drinking alcohol and ingesting marijuana 24 hours before surgery.
SCHEDULE POSTOPERATIVE VISIT
Your post-operative follow-up visit with your surgeon will be scheduled for you by our surgery scheduler and will take place around 14 days following your surgery.
PREPARING YOUR SKIN BEFORE SURGERY
Preparing or “prepping” skin before surgery can reduce the risk of infection at the surgical site. Our facility has chosen to have you bathe with a special soap called Hibiclens before surgery at home to reduce the bacteria on the skin. The steps below outline the prepping process and should be carefully followed.
NIGHT BEFORE SURGERY
- If you plan to wash your hair, use your regular shampoo; then rinse your hair and body thoroughly to remove any shampoo residue
- Wash your face with your regular soap or water only
- Thoroughly rinse your body with water from the neck down
- Apply Hibiclens directly on your skin or on a wet washcloth and wash gently; move away from the shower stream when applying Hibiclens to avoid rinsing it off too soon
- Rinse thoroughly with warm water and keep out of eyes, ears and mouth; if Hibiclens comes in contact with these areas, rinse out promptly
- Dry your skin with a towel
- Do not use your regular soap after applying and rinsing with Hibiclens
- Do not apply lotions or deodorants to the cleaned body area
- Dress in clean pajamas
- NOTE: If you experience any itching or burning sensations or develop a rash, wash the area with water.
PREPARING YOURSELF BEFORE SURGERY
Please follow your pre-operative instructions carefully. It is extremely important to understand and follow these directions. They are for your safety.
If these instructions are not followed, it could result in the cancellation of your surgery.
- STOP eating at 10 pm the night before your surgery. Do not suck on hard candy, lozenges, breath mints, or chew gum. Drink 12 oz of Gatorade prior to going to bed.
- Take Celebrex 200 mg (or Meloxicam 15 mg if sulfa allergic) the night before your surgery.
- Wake up 3 ½ hours prior to your scheduled arrival time the morning of your surgery and drink 12 oz of Gatorade – finish in less than 30 minutes. If you oversleep or miss the alarm, do not drink the Gatorade. Take the two extra strength Tylenol with a small sip of water.
- Take two extra strength acetaminophen (Tylenol) with the Gatorade on the morning of surgery (500 mg each tablet – 2 tablets). Nothing to drink after this.
- Tell us if you have any allergies or sensitivities to food or medication.
- If you take daily medications, the pre-admission testing nurse will instruct you on which medication you may take the day of surgery and at what time. Stop taking all herbals and supplements, vitamins, and appetite suppressants 2 weeks before surgery.
- Bring any inhalers you use with you the day of surgery.
- Stop smoking 4 weeks before surgery.
- Remove nail polish and nail wrapping from all fingers and toes prior to coming to the surgery center. If you do get a pedicure do not get color nail polish.
- Do not apply any makeup, mascara, cream, powders, lotions or aftershave lotion the day of surgery.
- Remove all metal jewelry, including metal piercings before coming to the surgery center. Please leave all jewelry and valuables at home.
- Stop shaving your surgical leg 3 days before surgery.
- Stop drinking alcohol and ingesting marijuana 24 hours before surgery
IF ILLNESS DEVELOPS
If you develop a cold, virus, sore throat, temperature or other illness during the week before your scheduled surgery, please contact your surgeon immediately. Your surgeon will determine whether your procedure should be rescheduled.
WHAT TO BRING
- Insurance Information: Please bring your insurance cards and a picture id with you to the surgery center the day of surgery.
- Clothing: We recommend that you wear casual, comfortable, loose-fitting clothes that button or zip down the front and are easy to take off and put back on after surgery. Shoes should be supportive, flat, and without laces. Avoid bringing flip flops or Crocs.
- Special Equipment: if you have been given a walker, cane, or crutches, remember to bring them with you the day of surgery. Please make sure you have been properly instructed on the use of any equipment you will be using post-operatively prior to your surgery date.
- Prescription Medication: Make sure to fill the prescriptions your surgeon gave you prior to your day of surgery so you can begin using them the day before surgery and once you get home.
- Valuables and Personal Belongings: leave all valuables and jewelry, including wedding rings, at home since the surgery center cannot assume liability for personal property.
- Dentures, glasses and hearing aids may have to be removed prior to surgery – please do not wear contact lenses the day of surgery. Since these personal items can easily be misplaced, please keep them in appropriate cases or containers or give them to the person escorting you. If requested, your nurse can provide special denture cups.
- Headphones / AirPods: You may bring your phone with headphones to listen to music to help you relax.
Post-Operative Information
PRE-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS AND TESTING
Our pre-anesthesia nurse will call you prior to the scheduled date of surgery to review your medical history and pre-operative instructions. If we have been unable to reach you, please call our nurse at (630) 946-2718 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. It is important you return this call promptly so the anesthesiologist can determine if you will need further testing prior to your procedure. If there is no answer, please leave a message with the best time and the phone number (and if possible, an alternative phone number) you can be reached at and the nurse will return your call as soon as possible.
Prior to your surgery, a physical examination by your Primary Care Physician (PCP) will need to be completed no more than 30 days before the date of your surgery and the medical history review. In some cases, you may need an EKG (also within the 30 days), lab work, or X-rays. If you see any specialists, such as a cardiologist or pulmonologist, you also will need clearance from them prior to surgery. Please bring a complete list of medications and supplements (prescriptions and over-the-counter) you are taking to these appointments.
PREPARING YOUR HOME
Making arrangements before your surgery allows you to focus on your recovery when you return home. Simple changes in furniture arrangement, housekeeping and lighting can help reduce your risk of falling. These arrangements will help you navigate your home with a walker.
The following are recommendations to increase your safety at home:
- Move all throw rugs out of your pathways.
- Adjust furniture to allow for maneuvering with one arm or a walker or cane.
- Survey your bathroom and plan for managing after your surgery.
- Move footstools, plant stands, or other low floor items a safe distance from walkways.
- Remove or tape down any cords or wires in pathways.
- Try to borrow a chair with arms (without wheels) to help you get up and sit down easily.
- Place a cushion or folded blanket in chairs that sit low or are hard to get out of.
- Make arrangements for assistance with your pets or prepare a secure spot for them to stay while you are getting settled in your house.
- Move things you might need (medications, magazines, phone, cooking utensils, laundry items) to areas where you can reach them easily.
- Carry a portable phone or cell phone with you at all times.
- Have telephone numbers of people that could help you in case of emergency readily available.
- Prepare some nutritious meals and place in the freezer to simplify cooking after you get home.
MEDICATIONS & ALCOHOL
If you are on any anticoagulation prescription medications (such as Coumadin, Plavix, Xarelto, and Eliquis), please notify your surgeon and contact your prescribing physician to find out when to stop the medication prior to surgery. Also, stop taking all herbals and supplements, vitamins, and appetite suppressants 14 days before surgery. Stop taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as Motrin, ibuprofen, Advil, Aleve, Naproxen, and others 7 days before surgery. And stop drinking alcohol and ingesting marijuana 24 hours before surgery.
SCHEDULE POSTOPERATIVE VISIT
Your post-operative follow-up visit with your surgeon will be scheduled for you by our surgery scheduler and will take place around 14 days following your surgery.
PREPARING YOUR SKIN BEFORE SURGERY
Preparing or “prepping” skin before surgery can reduce the risk of infection at the surgical site. Our facility has chosen to have you bathe with a special soap called Hibiclens before surgery at home to reduce the bacteria on the skin. The steps below outline the prepping process and should be carefully followed.
NIGHT BEFORE SURGERY
- If you plan to wash your hair, use your regular shampoo; then rinse your hair and body thoroughly to remove any shampoo residue
- Wash your face with your regular soap or water only
- Thoroughly rinse your body with water from the neck down
- Apply Hibiclens directly on your skin or on a wet washcloth and wash gently; move away from the shower stream when applying Hibiclens to avoid rinsing it off too soon
- Rinse thoroughly with warm water and keep out of eyes, ears and mouth; if Hibiclens comes in contact with these areas, rinse out promptly
- Dry your skin with a towel
- Do not use your regular soap after applying and rinsing with Hibiclens
- Do not apply lotions or deodorants to the cleaned body area
- Dress in clean pajamas
- NOTE: If you experience any itching or burning sensations or develop a rash, wash the area with water.
PREPARING YOURSELF BEFORE SURGERY
Please follow your pre-operative instructions carefully. It is extremely important to understand and follow these directions. They are for your safety.
If these instructions are not followed, it could result in the cancellation of your surgery.
- STOP eating at 10 pm the night before your surgery. Do not suck on hard candy, lozenges, breath mints, or chew gum. Drink 12 oz of Gatorade prior to going to bed.
- Take Celebrex 200 mg (or Meloxicam 15 mg if sulfa allergic) the night before your surgery.
- Wake up 3 ½ hours prior to your scheduled arrival time the morning of your surgery and drink 12 oz of Gatorade – finish in less than 30 minutes. If you oversleep or miss the alarm, do not drink the Gatorade. Take the two extra strength Tylenol with a small sip of water.
- Take two extra strength acetaminophen (Tylenol) with the Gatorade on the morning of surgery (500 mg each tablet – 2 tablets). Nothing to drink after this.
- Tell us if you have any allergies or sensitivities to food or medication.
- If you take daily medications, the pre-admission testing nurse will instruct you on which medication you may take the day of surgery and at what time. Stop taking all herbals and supplements, vitamins, and appetite suppressants 2 weeks before surgery.
- Bring any inhalers you use with you the day of surgery.
- Stop smoking 4 weeks before surgery.
- Remove nail polish and nail wrapping from all fingers and toes prior to coming to the surgery center. If you do get a pedicure do not get color nail polish.
- Do not apply any makeup, mascara, cream, powders, lotions or aftershave lotion the day of surgery.
- Remove all metal jewelry, including metal piercings before coming to the surgery center. Please leave all jewelry and valuables at home.
- Stop shaving your surgical leg 3 days before surgery.
- Stop drinking alcohol and ingesting marijuana 24 hours before surgery
IF ILLNESS DEVELOPS
If you develop a cold, virus, sore throat, temperature or other illness during the week before your scheduled surgery, please contact your surgeon immediately. Your surgeon will determine whether your procedure should be rescheduled.
WHAT TO BRING
- Insurance Information: Please bring your insurance cards and a picture id with you to the surgery center the day of surgery.
- Clothing: We recommend that you wear casual, comfortable, loose-fitting clothes that button or zip down the front and are easy to take off and put back on after surgery. Shoes should be supportive, flat, and without laces. Avoid bringing flip flops or Crocs.
- Special Equipment: if you have been given a walker, cane, or crutches, remember to bring them with you the day of surgery. Please make sure you have been properly instructed on the use of any equipment you will be using post-operatively prior to your surgery date.
- Prescription Medication: Make sure to fill the prescriptions your surgeon gave you prior to your day of surgery so you can begin using them the day before surgery and once you get home.
- Valuables and Personal Belongings: leave all valuables and jewelry, including wedding rings, at home since the surgery center cannot assume liability for personal property.
- Dentures, glasses and hearing aids may have to be removed prior to surgery – please do not wear contact lenses the day of surgery. Since these personal items can easily be misplaced, please keep them in appropriate cases or containers or give them to the person escorting you. If requested, your nurse can provide special denture cups.
- Headphones / AirPods: You may bring your phone with headphones to listen to music to help you relax.
Recovering at Home
PRE-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS AND TESTING
Our pre-anesthesia nurse will call you prior to the scheduled date of surgery to review your medical history and pre-operative instructions. If we have been unable to reach you, please call our nurse at (630) 946-2718 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. It is important you return this call promptly so the anesthesiologist can determine if you will need further testing prior to your procedure. If there is no answer, please leave a message with the best time and the phone number (and if possible, an alternative phone number) you can be reached at and the nurse will return your call as soon as possible.
Prior to your surgery, a physical examination by your Primary Care Physician (PCP) will need to be completed no more than 30 days before the date of your surgery and the medical history review. In some cases, you may need an EKG (also within the 30 days), lab work, or X-rays. If you see any specialists, such as a cardiologist or pulmonologist, you also will need clearance from them prior to surgery. Please bring a complete list of medications and supplements (prescriptions and over-the-counter) you are taking to these appointments.
PREPARING YOUR HOME
Making arrangements before your surgery allows you to focus on your recovery when you return home. Simple changes in furniture arrangement, housekeeping and lighting can help reduce your risk of falling. These arrangements will help you navigate your home with a walker.
The following are recommendations to increase your safety at home:
- Move all throw rugs out of your pathways.
- Adjust furniture to allow for maneuvering with one arm or a walker or cane.
- Survey your bathroom and plan for managing after your surgery.
- Move footstools, plant stands, or other low floor items a safe distance from walkways.
- Remove or tape down any cords or wires in pathways.
- Try to borrow a chair with arms (without wheels) to help you get up and sit down easily.
- Place a cushion or folded blanket in chairs that sit low or are hard to get out of.
- Make arrangements for assistance with your pets or prepare a secure spot for them to stay while you are getting settled in your house.
- Move things you might need (medications, magazines, phone, cooking utensils, laundry items) to areas where you can reach them easily.
- Carry a portable phone or cell phone with you at all times.
- Have telephone numbers of people that could help you in case of emergency readily available.
- Prepare some nutritious meals and place in the freezer to simplify cooking after you get home.
MEDICATIONS & ALCOHOL
If you are on any anticoagulation prescription medications (such as Coumadin, Plavix, Xarelto, and Eliquis), please notify your surgeon and contact your prescribing physician to find out when to stop the medication prior to surgery. Also, stop taking all herbals and supplements, vitamins, and appetite suppressants 14 days before surgery. Stop taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as Motrin, ibuprofen, Advil, Aleve, Naproxen, and others 7 days before surgery. And stop drinking alcohol and ingesting marijuana 24 hours before surgery.
SCHEDULE POSTOPERATIVE VISIT
Your post-operative follow-up visit with your surgeon will be scheduled for you by our surgery scheduler and will take place around 14 days following your surgery.
PREPARING YOUR SKIN BEFORE SURGERY
Preparing or “prepping” skin before surgery can reduce the risk of infection at the surgical site. Our facility has chosen to have you bathe with a special soap called Hibiclens before surgery at home to reduce the bacteria on the skin. The steps below outline the prepping process and should be carefully followed.
NIGHT BEFORE SURGERY
- If you plan to wash your hair, use your regular shampoo; then rinse your hair and body thoroughly to remove any shampoo residue
- Wash your face with your regular soap or water only
- Thoroughly rinse your body with water from the neck down
- Apply Hibiclens directly on your skin or on a wet washcloth and wash gently; move away from the shower stream when applying Hibiclens to avoid rinsing it off too soon
- Rinse thoroughly with warm water and keep out of eyes, ears and mouth; if Hibiclens comes in contact with these areas, rinse out promptly
- Dry your skin with a towel
- Do not use your regular soap after applying and rinsing with Hibiclens
- Do not apply lotions or deodorants to the cleaned body area
- Dress in clean pajamas
- NOTE: If you experience any itching or burning sensations or develop a rash, wash the area with water.
PREPARING YOURSELF BEFORE SURGERY
Please follow your pre-operative instructions carefully. It is extremely important to understand and follow these directions. They are for your safety.
If these instructions are not followed, it could result in the cancellation of your surgery.
- STOP eating at 10 pm the night before your surgery. Do not suck on hard candy, lozenges, breath mints, or chew gum. Drink 12 oz of Gatorade prior to going to bed.
- Take Celebrex 200 mg (or Meloxicam 15 mg if sulfa allergic) the night before your surgery.
- Wake up 3 ½ hours prior to your scheduled arrival time the morning of your surgery and drink 12 oz of Gatorade – finish in less than 30 minutes. If you oversleep or miss the alarm, do not drink the Gatorade. Take the two extra strength Tylenol with a small sip of water.
- Take two extra strength acetaminophen (Tylenol) with the Gatorade on the morning of surgery (500 mg each tablet – 2 tablets). Nothing to drink after this.
- Tell us if you have any allergies or sensitivities to food or medication.
- If you take daily medications, the pre-admission testing nurse will instruct you on which medication you may take the day of surgery and at what time. Stop taking all herbals and supplements, vitamins, and appetite suppressants 2 weeks before surgery.
- Bring any inhalers you use with you the day of surgery.
- Stop smoking 4 weeks before surgery.
- Remove nail polish and nail wrapping from all fingers and toes prior to coming to the surgery center. If you do get a pedicure do not get color nail polish.
- Do not apply any makeup, mascara, cream, powders, lotions or aftershave lotion the day of surgery.
- Remove all metal jewelry, including metal piercings before coming to the surgery center. Please leave all jewelry and valuables at home.
- Stop shaving your surgical leg 3 days before surgery.
- Stop drinking alcohol and ingesting marijuana 24 hours before surgery
IF ILLNESS DEVELOPS
If you develop a cold, virus, sore throat, temperature or other illness during the week before your scheduled surgery, please contact your surgeon immediately. Your surgeon will determine whether your procedure should be rescheduled.
WHAT TO BRING
- Insurance Information: Please bring your insurance cards and a picture id with you to the surgery center the day of surgery.
- Clothing: We recommend that you wear casual, comfortable, loose-fitting clothes that button or zip down the front and are easy to take off and put back on after surgery. Shoes should be supportive, flat, and without laces. Avoid bringing flip flops or Crocs.
- Special Equipment: if you have been given a walker, cane, or crutches, remember to bring them with you the day of surgery. Please make sure you have been properly instructed on the use of any equipment you will be using post-operatively prior to your surgery date.
- Prescription Medication: Make sure to fill the prescriptions your surgeon gave you prior to your day of surgery so you can begin using them the day before surgery and once you get home.
- Valuables and Personal Belongings: leave all valuables and jewelry, including wedding rings, at home since the surgery center cannot assume liability for personal property.
- Dentures, glasses and hearing aids may have to be removed prior to surgery – please do not wear contact lenses the day of surgery. Since these personal items can easily be misplaced, please keep them in appropriate cases or containers or give them to the person escorting you. If requested, your nurse can provide special denture cups.
- Headphones / AirPods: You may bring your phone with headphones to listen to music to help you relax.
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Disclaimer
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this web site is for general information purposes only. Dr. Paul makes no representation and assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of information contained on or available through this web site, and such information is subject to change without notice. You are encouraged to confirm any information obtained from or through this website with other sources, and review all information regarding any medical condition or treatment with your physician. NEVER DISREGARD PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL TREATMENT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ ON OR ACCESSED THROUGH THIS WEB SITE.
Dr. Paul does not recommend, endorse or make any representation about the efficacy, appropriateness or suitability of any specific tests, products, procedures, treatments, services, opinions, health care providers or other information that may be contained on or available through this web site. DR. PAUL IS NOT RESPONSIBLE NOR LIABLE FOR ANY ADVICE, COURSE OF TREATMENT, DIAGNOSIS OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION, SERVICES OR PRODUCTS THAT YOU OBTAIN THROUGH THIS WEB SITE. www.paulspine.com/legal/disclaimer.
Individuals’ outcomes may depend on a number of factors, including but not limited to patient characteristics, disease characteristics and/or surgeon experience.
All logos and names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
©2024 Ronjon Paul MD. All rights reserved.
Disclosures & Important Information
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this web site is for general information purposes only. Dr. Paul makes no representation and assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of information contained on or available through this web site, and such information is subject to change without notice. You are encouraged to confirm any information obtained from or through this website with other sources, and review all information regarding any medical condition or treatment with your physician. NEVER DISREGARD PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL TREATMENT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ ON OR ACCESSED THROUGH THIS WEB SITE.
Dr. Paul does not recommend, endorse or make any representation about the efficacy, appropriateness or suitability of any specific tests, products, procedures, treatments, services, opinions, health care providers or other information that may be contained on or available through this web site. DR. PAUL IS NOT RESPONSIBLE NOR LIABLE FOR ANY ADVICE, COURSE OF TREATMENT, DIAGNOSIS OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION, SERVICES OR PRODUCTS THAT YOU OBTAIN THROUGH THIS WEB SITE. www.paulspine.com/legal/disclaimer.
Individuals’ outcomes may depend on a number of factors, including but not limited to patient characteristics, disease characteristics and/or surgeon experience.
All logos and names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
©2024 Ronjon Paul MD. All rights reserved.