Preparing for Surgery
Once you and your doctor decide that surgery will help you, you will need to learn what to expect from the surgery and how to actively participate in the treatment plan for the best results afterward.
Preparing mentally and physically for surgery is an important step toward a successful result. Understanding the process, and your role in it, will help you recover more quickly and have fewer problems.
Discuss any medications you are taking with your primary care doctor to see which ones you should stop taking before surgery.
- If you are taking any anti-inflammatory medications, you will need to stop taking them one week before surgery to minimize bleeding.
- If you are taking any anti-coagulation medications including Aspirin, you must stop taking them a minimum of one week prior to surgery. Please discuss with Dr. Patel and your cardiologist about how to safely stop these medications.
- Refrain from taking any narcotic pain medication for 1 week prior to surgery to increase the efficacy of the post operative pain medications.
If you smoke, you must stop smoking for a minimum of 2 weeks prior and 6 weeks after any surgical intervention. Nicotine tests may be performed prior to proceeding with surgical intervention.
Have any tooth, gum, bladder or bowel problems treated before surgery to reduce the risk of infection later. Report any infections to your surgeon. Surgery cannot be performed until all infections have cleared up.
Eat a well-balanced diet, supplemented by a daily multivitamin with iron, leading up to surgery. Remember to not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery.
