Surgery Instructions

Pre-Op Guides

Please take all insurance information and paperwork with you at the time of your surgery check-in. If pre-registration is required, you must do this 2 days in advance.
On the day of your surgery, leave all valuables at home. Wear loose, comfortable clothing that will be easy to change into before you go home. Button-down shirts are recommended for shoulder procedures; baggy shorts are recommended for lower extremity procedure.
The night before surgery, as well as the morning of surgery, you must shower. Please do not apply any lotions, perfume, or make-up for surgery. Please leave any jewelry off and at home.
To prevent complications, you must not eat or drink anything 8 hours prior to your surgery. If anything has been ingested in that time, your surgery may be cancelled.
If you are having surgery on a lower extremity and do not have walking support (i.e., crutches, walker), these will be provided to you at the surgery center the day of the procedure.
Anesthesia occasionally causes nausea and vomiting. This can also be caused by the pain medication. If it is severe, medication can be prescribed to control the symptoms. An over-the-counter stool softener can be purchased if constipation occurs from pain medication. It is important and helpful to drink plenty of fluids.

Please make an appointment to see your surgeon approximately 10-14 days after surgery. We recommend that you make this appointment as soon as you know your surgery date so that you have greater choice in appointment times.
Keep your dressing dry until seen by the physician. Unless otherwise instructed, you will not need to change your dressing until seen by the doctor or physician assistant.
You are permitted to shower, but try to keep your incision dry. Do not go swimming or soak in a bathtub/hot tub until seen by the doctor or physician assistant. Generally, depending on the progress of your healing, you will be able to soak in a tub or go swimming about 3 weeks after surgery.
If you develop any redness, drainage (fluid leaking from your incision), bleeding, fever, increased pain, please call the office at 858-278-8300 for medical advice. A physician is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer your concerns.
If you develop any leg swelling, shortness of breath, chest pain or trouble breathing, please call 858-278-8300 immediately. Blood clots in the leg and lung can occur with surgery, and can be life-threatening.
Do not use anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, aspirin unless cleared by your surgeon