Prepare for Surgery
Find important information to address your questions ahead of your procedure.
We want you to feel confident & comfortable about your upcoming surgical procedure.
With your surgery scheduled, the following information will ensure the process is as efficient as possible. Be sure to read everything, and contact your surgical scheduler if you still have any questions
1. Schedule Your Surgery Time and Location
Precision Orthopedics & Sports Medicine physicians perform procedures at our state-of-the-art outpatient surgery centers in La Plata, MD and Laurel, MD and provide inpatient care at local hospitals including:
- University of Maryland Laurel Regional Hospital
- Washington Adventist Hospital
- University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center
- United Medical Center
- Holy Cross Hospital
- Western Maryland Hospital Center
The doctor’s staff will work with you on scheduling the time and location of the surgery.
2. Obtain Your Surgical Clearance Right Away
Some surgeries will require written surgical clearance from other physicians. Once your surgery date is set, you will be instructed to make appointments with the appropriate physicians to obtain your medical clearance right away! If your medical clearance is not obtained in time, your surgery could be delayed.
3. Review and Update Your Medication and Allergy Lists
Make sure you review and update your medications and allergies list prior to your surgery. We recommend that you put all your medications and allergies on an index card that you can keep in your wallet or on your person. Bring this with you to your surgery.
4. Prepare the Following Items and Bring Them with You to the Hospital
- Insurance card
- Photo ID
- X-rays and MRIs
Pre-Operative Instructions
These instructions are general guidelines that can be used before surgery for most patients. Since every case is unique, your surgeon may give you further or differing instructions. Please follow his or her guidelines.
- You will be contacted the night before surgery by the surgical facility and told what time to arrive. Usually, you are asked to arrive approximately 2 hours prior to your surgery time.
- Do not eat or drink anything after midnight prior to your surgery. This includes water and coffee. This is for your safety during the procedure. If you eat or drink after midnight, your surgery will need to be rescheduled.
- Discontinue any medications that you were instructed to stop taking by your physician. If, however, you are taking any regular medications such as Heart, BP, asthma, or seizure medicines, they can be taken in the morning on the day of your surgery with a sip of water. Swallow only enough water to take your medication.
- Make sure that you know the location and directions to the surgical facility.
- Avoid tobacco, gum, mints, or candy of any kind the morning of your surgery.
- Prior to surgery, shower/bathe, brush your teeth and gargle as usual but do not swallow any water.
- Remove any wig or hairpiece, contact lenses, body jewelry, hairpins, etc. If you wear glasses, bring your glasses and eyeglass case with you.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing and flat shoes. Do not bring or wear jewelry. Leave all valuables at home.
- If you are having outpatient surgery, you MUST arrange for someone to drive you home. If you arrive without arrangements, your surgery will be rescheduled.
- It is necessary to have a responsible adult stay with you after surgery because the effects of anesthesia remain with you for approximately 24 hours.
- You will need to see your physician for a post-op appointment after surgery. If you have not already scheduled your post-op appointment, please call your physician and schedule it.
Post-Operative Instructions
These instructions are general guidelines that can be used following surgery for most patients. Since every case is unique, your surgeon may give you further or differing instructions. Please follow his or her guidelines.
- RICE – Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation are often found to be the best treatment.
- Use the medication your physician has prescribed for you and follow the directions exactly as they appear on your medication bottle. If you cannot control your pain or the medication is making you sick, please call our office.
- Your physician will instruct you on whether you should remove your post-op bandage yourself or if you should wait until your follow-up visit at the office.
- Do not bathe or swim until you have been permitted to do so by your physician. You may shower; however, keep the dressing clean and dry.
- If you have not already scheduled your post-op appointment, please call your physician and schedule it.
- Return to work will be determined by your physician.
- You may do exercises as instructed by your physician.
- Please contact the office if you have excessive symptoms, including but not limited to redness, increased warmth at surgical sight, numbness, tingling, discoloration, foul odor, and fever.
Contact us with further questions.
We’re here to help you navigate your orthopedic challenges and get you on the path to recovery quickly. If you still have questions, please contact your surgical scheduler.