PRE OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS

The purpose of these instructions is to speed your recovery and minimize the chance of a complication or need to postpone your surgery. Please follow them exactly. If you have any questions, please feel free to discuss them with your doctor, Thank You!

1. Unless instructed otherwise by the Anesthesiologist DO NOT EAT OR DRNK ANYTHING AFTER MIDNIGHT PRIOR TO YOUR SURGERY (this includes coffee, tea, water, etc...) This is to prevent acidic food content from entering the lungs during anesthesia. Your anesthesiologist may allow you to take certain medication with a small sip of water the morning of surgery (Except diabetic medications)

2. STOP ALL ASPIRIN, NONSTERIODAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORIES (i.e. IBUPROFEN, COUMADIN, & VITAMIN E) AT LEAST 5 DAYS PRIOR TO
SURGERY. This is to prevent excessive bleeding during surgery

3. CONSULT WITH YOUR PRIMARY MD IF YOU ARE ON PLAVIX, COUMADIN OR HEPARIN FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON WHEN TO DISCONTINUE TIE MEDICATION. Tylenol (acetaminophen? and narcotic medications (Codeine, Oxycodon, Hydroxycodone, etc.) do not effect blood clotting and maybe continued up until midnight the evening before your surgery.

4. Inform your OADC Doctor f there is ANY CHANGE in YOUR HEALTH OR MEDICATIONS between your preoperative visit and (Day of surgery. This especially includes any SKIN PROBLEMS OR INFECTIONS. If there is a significant change in your health or if you have a cold or skin mfection, it may be best for you to postpone your surgery to a later date to, reduce the risks of an operative site infection or other complications.

5, If so instructed by your OADC MD, SEE YOUR FAMILY DOCTOR TO OBTAIN A LETTER OF MEDICAL / CARDIAC CLEARANCE as soon as your surgery date is set. This letter needs to be received at least ONE WEEK PRIOR to your surgery.

6. PLEASE REVIEW ALL MEDICATIONS YOU ARE TAKING WITH YOUR PRIMARY MD TO CLARIFY WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT TAKE PRIOR TO SURGERY

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7. Please bring a LIST OF ALL your MEDICATIONS AND HOW OFTEN YOU TAKE THEM to both your preoperative visit at OADC and to your preoperative testing / anesthesia interview at the hospital / surgical center. You will meet with the anesthesiologist the morning Surgery.

8. Shower BEFORE surgery with any ANTIBACTERIAL SOAP to reduce the bacterial count on your skin (you can skip this if you are in a castor splint)

9. You will NOT be able to drive yourself home. PLEASE MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR A RIDE HOME.