Please refrain from eating or drinking after midnight the night before your surgery. Hide Answer

Avoid all medications that could thin your blood, including aspirin, NSAIDS (over-the-counter Motrin, Aleve, Advil, Nuprin, or any other arthritis medications). Avoid vitamin E, garlic and herbal or natural supplements. These medications need to be stopped 10 (ten) days before surgery. Hide Answer

Your physician will advise you if blood products will be required. Autodonation or blood bank blood may be used. Hide Answer

Most surgeries require overnight hospitalization with discharge the following morning. Extensive surgeries, such as fusions, craniotomies, etc., may require an extended length of stay. Your physician will advise you. Hide Answer

Most patients are ambulatory the evening of surgery or the following morning if your surgery was late in the day. Hide Answer

Your doctor may prescribe a back brace following fusion surgery. You should wear it most of the time when you are up and moving around. You will be asked to wear the brace until the doctor advises you that your back has fused (approximately 4-6 months). Following neck surgery, you should wear you collar most of the time, even at night, until your first post-op appointment (approximately 3-5 weeks). Hide Answer

Keep your bandage clean and dry. Change your bandage when it becomes wet or soiled (from bathing or drainage from your incision). If you have staples or outer sutures, contact our office for an appointment to have them removed 7-10 days following surgery. For carpal tunnel surgery, removal is 10-12 days post surgery. Contact the office nursing staff if you have any questions or concerns. Hide Answer

The incision should be clean and dry without redness, swelling or drainage. If your experience any of these symptoms or have a fever, please contact our office. Hide Answer

A sufficient dose of antibiotics will be administered by your physician prior to surgery. Antibiotics may be taken post operatively, if necessary. Hide Answer

You should wait 3-4 weeks before applying topical ointment to your incision. Hide Answer

It is common to run a low grade temperature (99°-100.4°) for a week or two post operatively. If your temperature is greater than 101° following your pain medication or Tylenol, notify your physician. Hide Answer

It is not unusual to experience mild hip/leg or shoulder blade/arm pain. This is generally related to swelling or nerve root irritation. It may be helpful to use an over-the-counter medication for inflammation, i.e., Aleve, Motrin, Nuprin, etc. (If you have had a fusion you may not take these medications for several months). It is important to take these medications with food. If your extremity pain worsens, notify your physician. Hide Answer

Your post-op appointment will be scheduled for 3-4 weeks after surgery. The appointment date should be mailed to you prior to surgery. If you are unsure of your scheduled appointment date and/or time, please contact our office. Hide Answer

If you need a refill of your medication, please contact our office Monday through Thursday before 3:00 p.m. and Fridays before 12:00 p.m. (noon). Please allow 24 hours to process the information and notification to your pharmacy. To expedite the process, please provide the following information: patient name, phone number and date of birth, pharmacy name, phone number and the medication requested. You may be asked to leave this information on the Prescription Refill line. Hide Answer

Most surgeries require some type of medication for the first 2-3 weeks. Medication management will be addressed by your physician prior to surgery. Hide Answer

It is not unusual to suffer from constipation following surgery. Pain medication and decreased activity diminish bowel motility. You may use over-the-counter laxatives or enemas. This should provide relief within 24-48 hours. If not, notify your physician. Ensure that you are drinking plenty of fluids and increase your activity (walking) daily. Hide Answer

Numbness and tingling will be the last symptoms to resolve. It may take several weeks or months for it to subside. Hide Answer

If your accident is severe, you should go to your local ER. If it is a minor one, you will probably be stiff and sore for about 2 weeks. If symptoms progress or last longer than 2 weeks, you should notify your doctor. Hide Answer

Please discuss driving with your physician. Generally, you may drive 2-3 weeks post surgery. Hide Answer

As soon as it is comfortable for you to do so. You may want to assume a passive position. Hide Answer

You may gradually move your neck to comfort. Hide Answer

Walking is encouraged daily: 5-10 minutes every hour or 20 minutes at least twice daily as tolerated. Do not begin any exercise regimen without consulting your physician. Hide Answer