Pre-Surgery Instructions

We want to help you prepare for your procedure by guiding you through the following steps. Should you have any questions regarding these instructions or are unable to follow any of these instructions we encourage you to contact our office at 651.430.3800

How to Prepare for Surgery

Stop smoking. Not only can smoking take longer for your bones to heal, but studies show that smoking can have direct effect on low back pain. Your physician has information about smoking cessation tools.

Arrange household items that you need to use after your surgery. Place items so as to eliminate or minimize bending, lifting, twisting and overhead activities.

Get a pair of shoes that can easily be slipped on, allowing you not to have to bend to put them on and tie them.

Evaluate your needs at home. Will you need a raised toilet seat, shower chair, reacher, hospital bed, etc.

Medications

If you are taking an anti-coagulant, or "blood thinner”, such as Coumadin, warfarin or plavix, you will need to stop taking this medication prior to surgery. Please check with your primary care physician regarding when to stop taking it. These medications can interfere with your surgery.

If you are taking any anti-inflammatory medications, you will need to stop taking these medications 10 days prior to surgery.

Patients will need to have a pre-op exam with their primary care physician within 30 days of surgery. We recommend that patients schedule this appointment at least 2 weeks prior to the date of your surgery. The note from this visit, along with any test results, should be faxed to our office at (651) 430-3827 as well as to the hospital.

Pre-Surgery Physical Therapy Evaluation

Our surgery plan includes one pre-surgery physical therapy evaluation to help prepare you for your surgery. 

The Day Before Surgery

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery, including mints, gum or water.

If you normally take prescription medications when you wake up, you may do so with a small sip of water.

Special instructions for fusion patients:

Please review your surgical information for details regarding your diet restrictions the day before surgery.

Paperwork

Any disability, FMLA or other medical legal forms that need to be completed before surgery, may be delivered or mailed to our Stillwater office, attention Medical Legal Department. Please allow 1-2 weeks for forms to be completed. Please contact our Medical Legal Department at 651.259.4545 with any questions regarding this paperwork.