Getting ready for your surgery at our center
Follow our best practices and get ready for your surgery procedure.
Your Guide to Getting Ready for Surgery at Our Center
Follow our best practices to ensure a smooth and successful procedure.
CONDITIONS
We treat a wide range of brain and spine conditions and diseases.
PREPARATIONS
Learn how to prepare for your surgery at our center
TREATMENTS
We treat a wide range of dysfunction caused by spinal & brain disorders.
Pre-Op Clearance and Labs
Medical Clearance: You may need to obtain medical clearance from your internist or primary care practitioner (PCP). This clearance will require a visit to your PCP and should be done as soon as possible around 30 days before surgery.
We will give you a letter to take to your physician with complete information. The medical clearance (including results from lab tests, EKG, chest x-ray) should be faxed by your physician to our office at (678) 290-0257.
Certain medical conditions may require clearance from a specialist (e.g., pulmonologist, cardiologist). Your PCP will make the determination.
Labs: If your surgeon has ordered certain labs to be completed within 30 days of surgery. These labs can be done by your PCP at your medical clearance visit or you may have your labs done by our office.
EKG: If you have a cardiac history, an EKG may be ordered. Your PCP can perform this during your medical clearance visit.
Medical Clearance: You may need to obtain medical clearance from your internist or primary care practitioner (PCP). This clearance will require a visit to your PCP and should be done as soon as possible around 30 days before surgery.
We will give you a letter to take to your physician with complete information. The medical clearance (including results from lab tests, EKG, chest x-ray) should be faxed by your physician to our office at (678) 290-0257.
Certain medical conditions may require clearance from a specialist (e.g., pulmonologist, cardiologist). Your PCP will make the determination.
Labs: Your surgeon has ordered certain labs to be completed within 30 days of surgery. These labs can be done by your PCP at your medical clearance visit or you may have your labs done by our office.
EKG: If you are age 50 or older or have a cardiac history, an EKG may be ordered. Your PCP can preform this during your medical clearance visit.
The night before surgery
No Food or Drink: Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery. This includes water, coffee, gum or candy. If there are medications that you need to take, you may take with a small sip of water.
You may brush your teeth and use mouth wash.
No make up: Don’t wear any make up on the day of your surgery so that we can see your natural color. Eye makeup can get in your eyes during your surgery and recovery.
No jewelry/piercings: You will need to remove all jewelry and piercings prior to surgery. We highly recommend you leave all jewelry at home.
Comfortable clothes: Wear clothing that is warm, comfortable and loose-fitting. Elastic waistband pants, button up or zip up tops and slip-on shoes are best. You will be sleepy, sluggish and in some pain after surgery. You will want clothes that are comfortable and easy to put back on after surgery.
No contacts: If you normally wear contacts, do not wear them on the day of surgery. Contacts worn during surgery can cause scratches to your eyes.
No valuables: Leave all valuables such as cash, purse, wallet at home.
Tell your physician if you have had a recent fever, body aches, cough, sinus drainage, nausea, diarrhea) or if there are been any changes to your medical history.
What to bring with you
- Pain Medication: Bring current prescription pain medication for post op pain.
- Imaging: Current imaging on disc. Even if we already have a copy of your imaging, bring your copy if you have it available.
- CPAP: If you use a CPAP machine at home, bring it with you. You will be placed on your CPAP following surgery in PACU to facilitate your breathing.
- Inhaler: Bring any prescribed inhalers.
- Caregiver/Ride: Have a responsible party stay during your surgery and take you home. You must have a ride home and responsible person stay with you for 24 hours following your surgery.
- Insurance card and photo ID.
- List of all Medications: Including Prescriptions, Over-the-counter (OTC) medications, Herbs, vitamins, and supplements.
Medications
Your PCP may adjust your medications prior to surgery. Unless instructed otherwise, use the following as a guide:
Stop taking all vitamins, herbs ordiet supplements 10 before surgery.
Stop taking all Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID’s) 10 days before your surgery.
Take your usual morning medications with a sip of water on the morning of surgery.
Diabetic medications: The doctor who normally manages your insulin may develop a plan for your surgery. Unless your doctor directs otherwise, follow these guidelines:
- On the morning of surgery: Do not take oral diabetic medications or once-a-day injectable insulin.
- The night before surgery: take 1⁄2 your normal dose of injectable insulin.
Stop taking Anticoagulant or Antiplatelet Medication as directed. These drugs will be adjusted up to 14 days before your surgery. Your doctor will let you know when to stop and restart taking these medications.