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| Preparing
for your surgery |
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| Prior
to Your Surgery |
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Depending
on your age, general physical condition and the surgery you
need, you may or may not need to have a pre-operative exam
and tests. If you are scheduled for physical and tests,
please wear comfortable shoes and clothing. The tests needed
may include: A physical; blood and urine tests; an EKG, and
a chest X-ray.
Before
scheduling the surgery, your surgeon will discuss with you
about the operation you will undergo. This discussion will
include the side effects, risks and desired outcome of the
surgery. You may consider writing down your questions and
have them answered at this time. You should be prepared to
talk about your health and the health of your family
members. It is important to tell your surgeon about previous
illnesses, surgeries, allergies and the possibility of
pregnancy. Please be sure to tell your physician of all
prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and any herbal
supplements you take. Decision to have the surgery should be
made in consultation with your surgeon, primary doctor and
family members. Absolute confidentiality will be maintained
throughout. Your primary doctor and surgeon will also ask
for a list of the medications you take. Your doctor will
tell you when and what over-the-counter or prescription
drugs you should stop taking before surgery. Some medicines
like aspirin can slow blood clotting.
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| The
Day Before Your Surgery
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On
the day before your surgery, please call us between 10 am
and 2 pm at (773) 761-0500 to confirm the time the limousine
will pick you up. If your surgery is scheduled for a Monday,
call the Friday before. Inform your surgeon and the surgery
center of any change in your medical condition, if you have
a cold, cough or fever.
If
you are going to have anesthesia care or sedation, arrange
to have someone available to ride with you.
Unless
otherwise instructed by your anesthesiologist or surgeon, it
is important that you do not eat or drink anything,
including water, after midnight. Take your regularly
scheduled medications, with a sip of water unless instructed
otherwise. Please bring the original bottles of your
medications including over-the-counter medications with you
to the Surgery Center. Please
tell your anesthesiologist and surgeon about any and all
medications and herbal supplements you are taking, including
ibuprofen (Advil,
Motrin), aspirin, blood pressure, blood thinning medicines,
inhalers and eye drops. |
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| The
Day of Your Surgery |
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Do
not eat or drink anything, including water, after
midnight |
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Do
not wear any makeup. |
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Do
not wear contact lenses
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Please
remove false nails and nail or toe polish |
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Wear
casual clothes that can be folded and stored easily.
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Please
be ready at the scheduled time for pick up. Your promptness helps us to provide
limousine service to greater number of patients.
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Do
not bring money, jewelry, credit cards, or other
valuables |
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Bring
your health insurance card.
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Limit
accompanying adults to two.
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You
may also need to have someone stay with you for the
first 24 hours after you go home |
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| Follow
Up |
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recovery staff will be contacting you the following day to
see how you are feeling. If you have any questions or
problems, please do not hesitate to ask them. If you are
having any problems prior to or after this call, please call
your doctor directly.
Avoid fatty
foods and eat lightly during your recovery. Make sure you
follow your doctor's instructions on diet, medications,
bathing and activity.
Home health
services can be arranged for you when required based upon
instructions by your doctor.
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| Important
Tips |
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are a few important steps that you should take before your
surgery to aid in your comfort and recovery: |
| Follow
Diet Instructions
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may receive special diet instructions prior to
surgery. If so, it is important to follow them
carefully. Be sure to follow the anesthesiologist's
advice regarding the specific time to stop eating or
drinking prior to your surgery. Sometimes eating or
drinking anything (water, candy, gum, etc.) may
result in the need to cancel and reschedule your
surgery. |
| Ask
Your Doctor About Medicines
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you are currently taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin,
Advil) or naproxen
sodium (Aleve), check with your doctor to determine
when or if you should stop taking these
medicines before surgery. These over-the-counter
medicines can slow blood clotting. |
| Avoid
Alcohol
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should not drink any alcoholic beverages at least
two days before surgery. Alcohol can react with the
medications you may take, interfering with recovery
and causing serious complications.
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| Try
to Stop Smoking
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| Smoking
can be harmful to your recovery. Try to stop smoking
at least two weeks before surgery. This will improve
your lung function and circulation, which will help
you heal more quickly.
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