1. Once you have decided on surgery, make sure your surgeon has a current list of your medical history. This includes:

• Medical - such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, cancer, seizures

• Surgeries - past surgeries particularly major surgery

  If you did have surgery, did you have any anesthesia problems? If so please explain.

• Allergies - include any medications, iodine, tapes, latex

• Medications - current list of prescription and over the counter, such as herbal supplements, and aspirin.

2. Try to cut down or stop smoking prior to and after surgery. This will help reduce your surgery risk and improve your recovery.

3. To decrease the risk of bleeding, discontinue aspirin 5 days prior to surgery. Discontinue Plavix 7 days prior to surgery. Discontinue Coumadin when approved by medical treating physician. Discontinue alcohol, diet pills, and all herbal medications 3-5 days prior to surgery. If you have been on Plavix less than 6 months, you may need to postpone your surgery. We strongly recommend you check with your treating healthcare provider before discontinuing any of these medications.

4. If you take blood pressure and/or heart medicine in the mornings, please take your medicine with a small sip of water the morning of your surgery.

5. Make sure you do not eat or drink past midnight the night before surgery. If you are a diabetic or hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) make sure you discuss with the staff of the surgical facility the possibility of a light breakfast on the morning of surgery. If you are a diabetic and are instructed not to eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery, do not take your insulin or diabetic pills on the morning of surgery. Monitor your blood sugar as usual and the surgical facility will continue monitoring with finger sticks. If need arises, they will treat with short-acting insulin.

6. If you are ill prior to surgery, running a temperature or have an infection, please notify your surgeon; it may be necessary to postpone your surgery.

7. You will be instructed to pick up paperwork from our office and register at the surgical facility a 1-2 days prior to your surgery.

8. Make arrangements for a responsible person to drive you home after surgery.

9. Dress comfortably; wear loose fitting clothes. For knee surgery, wear shorts or sweatpants. For shoulder surgery, wear a large, button up shirt.

10. Hip replacement surgery may require blood to be available. Type and cross match (Lab work) will be performed prior to surgery.

11. Bring medicines and walker/crutches if applicable.

12. Prior to surgery, please discuss any work status concerns.

13. Feel free to contact the office for any further questions or concerns.