General Reconstruction and Sports Medicine

Pre-Operative Instructions

Medications:

Prior to your surgery, it is important that you stop using anti-inflammatory medications. These medications can increase risks of bleeding and pain during and after your surgical procedure. Examples of medications to avoid:

• Coumadin (warfarin)
• Plavix (clopidogrel)
• Persantine (dipyridamole)
• Ticlid (ticlopidine)
• Advil, Motrin, Nuprin (ibuprofen)
• Aspirin
• Celebrex (celecoxib)
• Daypro (oxaprozin)
• Disalcid (salsalate)
• Ecotrin, Excedrin, ASA (aspirin)
• Indocin (indomethacin)
• Lodine (etodolac)
• Mobic (meloxicam)
• Naprosyn, Aleve, Anaprox, Naprelan (naproxen)
• Relafen (nabumetone)
• Voltaren, Cataflam, Arthrotec (diclpfenac)

Ideally, you should stop taking these medications one week prior to surgery. If it is less than one week before your surgery date or you are not sure if you are taking an anti-inflammatory, please check with the doctor. Generally, medications such as pain relievers that contain Tylenol (acetaminophen) are fine to take in the days prior to surgery.

Day of Surgery:

No eating or drinking after midnight the night prior to surgery. Do not swallow toothpaste or eat hard candy or chew gum. If you must take medication for your heart, blood pressure, or diabetes:

1. Try to take them as far away from your surgery time as possible.
2. Take only a small sip of water.
3. Before surgery, tell the nurse and/or anesthesiologist the name of the medication, and the amount and time it was taken.
4. Please bring a list of medications that you take with you to the admissions nurse. This will aid her in taking your history.

Report to Admissions:

1. Report two (2) hours prior to your surgery time. The exact time is printed on the attached sheet.
2. You will be taken to the same-day or pre-op holding area. Family and friends will be allowed to be with you once you are settled in and ready.
3. Once you go to the operating room, your family/friends will be directed to the waiting area. They will be able to see you when you get to your hospital room.
4. Prior to surgery, you will meet the Anesthesiologist and the Nerve monitoring team. You will be asked to sign a consent. Please ask questions you may have.

Going Home:

Discharge instructions will be given to you at the time of your discharge.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call.