Dear Patient:
Please read the enclosed packet, which will provide information to you about your upcoming surgery. If you have any questions, please call our office at . We look forward to treating you and making your surgical experience as smooth as possible.
PRE-SURGERY CHECKLIST:
- It is in your best interest to notify your primary care physician and/or medical specialist about your upcoming surgery. In some cases, you may be required to see your primary care provider to obtain preoperative clearance for your surgery. They may choose to do certain tests which may include lab work, and EKG, etc. to make sure that you are optimized for surgery.
- You must make arrangements in advance to have a responsible adult drive you home after surgery. Hospital regulations do not permit you to drive or use a taxicab service unescorted.
- You may need additional assistance at home after your surgery. It is recommended that you make these arrangements with family or a friend prior to surgery.
- Please do not eat or drink anything after midnight prior to surgery. A sip of water is okay with medication if needed. Please ask the pre-op nurse to confirm the timing of your surgery when they call the day before surgery.
- Please follow your doctor’s instructions regarding your regular medications before surgery. If advised to take them after midnight, you should take them with only a sip of water.
- You should shower with anti-bacterial soap the night before surgery. Special wipes will be used in pre-op the day of your surgery provided by the hospital.
- Please wear loose, comfortable clothing on the day of surgery.
- Due to increased risk of nerve injury with use of a potential tourniquet during surgery, please do not wear tight athletic compression underwear. Instead, wear loose fitting short length briefs/boxers, or underwear.
- Make sure to bring your insurance card with you to the hospital on the day of surgery.
- Leave all valuables at home (jewelry, laptop, computers, etc).
- Air travel is not recommended for 6 weeks following your operation; however, if this is unavoidable, make sure you discuss this with Dr. Friedman.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
DAY OF SURGERY:
Make sure to arrive at the hospital when advised by the preoperative nurse that calls you before surgery. Your family members may join you in the preoperative area while you await surgery.
- Shower/bathe with anti-bacterial soap as instructed before arriving at the hospital
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Do not wear perfume, makeup, nail polish, or jewelry.
- Leave all valuables at home. The hospital is not responsible for any jewelry, cash, etc.
- If possible, wear glasses instead of contacts to surgery. These will be protected during the procedure.
- You may wear dentures to the hospital, but you may be asked to remove them prior to surgery. They will be protected during the procedure.
- Bring your health insurance card and insurance forms.
PRE-OPERATIVE AREA:
- Upon arrival at the facility, you should register at the patient registration area and they will check you in for surgery.
- You will be brought into the pre-op area, where a nurse will conduct an interview to finish required paperwork before surgery. At that time, you will be asked to confirm your identity, your scheduled surgery, site of surgery, and any allergies you may have. The nurse will also review your medical history and any medications you are taking.
- You will be asked to change into a hospital gown. Your surgical site may also be shaved by the staff and cleansed again.
- Friedman will see you in the preoperative area and mark the body part that the surgery will be taking place on. If you have any questions for her regarding the surgery, this is a good time to ask them.
- You will then meet another nurse from the operating team and the anesthesiologist who will start your IV. You will be asked similar questions by both staff as a crosscheck including your identity, allergies, and type of surgery.
- If the anesthesiologist is planning a block for your procedure, they may do this in the preoperative area or once you are in the operating room.
- You will be brought to the operating room while still on a gurney. Once in the operating room you will be transferred to the surgical table. Here the operating room nurse will help the anesthesiologist prepare you for the operation. They will position you correctly for the surgery and connect you to the monitors including an EKG, blood pressure, and pulse oximeter. The anesthesiologist will administer anesthesia and the nurse will complete preparing the surgical site for the surgeon.
RECOVERY:
PHASE I: POST-ANESTHESIA CARE UNIT (PACU)
- The PACU is where the patient is taken immediately after the surgery is completed. A typical length of the stay is approximately 60-90 minutes.
- Patients stay in the PACU until they are awake, their vital signs are stable, and have satisfactory pain management. The nurse may offer crackers and juice if you feel up to eating/drinking.
- Visitors are typically not allowed in the PACU except for pediatric or special needs patients.
PHASE II: RECOVERY ROOM
- This is the area patients are taken after changing back into their clothes. Length of stay is approximately 15-30 minutes.
- A family member or friend is brought back to be with you while a nurse provides written and verbal discharge instructions specific to your surgery.
- When indicated, staff will review with you the use of durable medical equipment (DME) you may need post-surgery (e.g. crutches, walker, cold therapy units, post-op shoes, etc.).
- If you did not receive your prescriptions for surgery prior to the day of surgery, they will be given to you at this time to be filled at a pharmacy.
- Once you have returned home, it is highly recommended that someone stay with you for at least one night.
AT HOME:
If you notice any of these symptoms after you have returned home please call the office to let your surgeon know immediately. If it is after regular office hours, please go to the closest Emergency Department:
- Fever of 101.5° F or 38.5°C or higher that is not alleviated by Tylenol
- Pain not relieved by prescribed medication
- Excessive leg swelling and pain
- Redness, swelling, bleeding or drainage from your incision site
- Edges of the incision coming apart
- Sudden coldness or discoloration at the incision site
- Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, or chest pain
- Persistent nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea