Spine Pre Operative Instructions
Before Surgery
Pain Meds:
Stop taking Advil, Motrin, Ibuprofen, Aleve, Naprosyn, Naproxen, Feldene (piroxicam), Aspirin, and/or any other regular anti-inflammatory or aspirin-containing products 7-10 days before surgery. However, you may use your pain meds, such as Vicodin (hydrocodone/APAP), Percocet (oxycodone/APAP), Darvocet, etc.,up to the day of surgery.
Other Meds:
Stop taking all herbal medications 14 days before surgery. Stop taking Vitamin E about 10 days before surgery. If you take Coumadin, Plavix or any other blood thinner, it should be stopped 7 days before surgery by your primary care doctor. If you need to be on a substitute blood thinner (not aspirin), please contact us with all the information on the medications. Insulin: Directions should be given to you by your primary care doctor and/or the anesthesiologist at the hospital at the time of your Pre-Admission Testing (P.A.T.). Check with your primary care physician if you do not have those directions or you have a concern about any other medications that you take on a regular basis.
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:
- Try to take them as far away from your surgery time as possible.
- Take only a small sip of water.
- Before surgery, tell the nurse and/or anesthesiologist the name of the medication, and the amount and time it was taken.
- 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:
- Report two (2) hours prior to your surgery time. The exact time is printed on the attached sheet.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Recovery Room:
You will wake up in the recovery room (PACU), where you will be monitored and be given medication for pain, as needed. Usually, you will be there for 1-2 hours, or possibly several hours longer, until your hospital room is ready. Your family will wait in the main lobby of the hospital. They will be able to meet you in your room after you leave recovery.
Going Home:
Discharge instructions will be given to you at the time of your discharge.