The Advanced Spine and Outpatient Surgery Center

Before the Day of Your Surgery

At an appointment before your surgery, the doctor or one of his staff will give you a list of information on preparing for your surgery. Procedures may vary, but some main items to remember are:

Stop any anti-inflammatory medicine, or medications containing aspirin 5 to 7 days before your surgery.

Have someone who can drive you home accompany you to your surgery.

Stop smoking at least 24 hours before your surgery (preferably longer).

Bring a list with you of your medications, including the dosage, and what time of the day you take them.

At around midnight you should stop eating and start only having sips of water as needed.

Contact our office for additional instructions if you are taking blood thinners such as Coumadin, Plavix, Ticlid or Lovenox.

What to Expect on the Day of Your Surgery

Please arrive at least one hour before your surgery's scheduled time. We have our own parking lot with plenty of available parking spaces.

A staff member will check you in and take you to a room to prepare you for surgery.

A pre-operative nurse will begin routine pre-operative questions and preparation such as vital signs and starting your IV.

You will be asked to remove eye glasses, dentures, hair pins or any other loose objects. Please have a small bag handy for these items.

Friends and Family Support

We know that your surgery can be an anxious time for your friends and family too. They can accompany you to our surgical center for your procedure. Our staff will keep them informed as to your progress while they wait in the waiting room. It is usually possible for a family member to see the patient about one hour after surgery.

Recovery and Going Home

After your surgery you will be taken to the recovery room. There you will be monitored and given time to recover. It is normal to be in the recovery room for 1-3 hours before you are discharged. The length of time will depend upon the type of surgery you had.

When it is time to leave, a staff member will make sure you and your family member do not have additional questions about care after you return home.

When we feel you have recovered enough to go home, a staff member will help you to your family member or friend’s car.

Patients returning home following their surgery must be driven home by a responsible adult.

The Next Few Days after Your Surgery

You should take it easy the next few days after surgery.

Do not drive or operate machinery the day after surgery or longer if instructed by your doctor.

You may be tired and feel discomfort after surgery. This is to be expected. Your provider will give you something to ease the pain or discomfort. It is a good idea to have these prescriptions filled and ready for when you get home.

If you are in intense pain, develop a fever, any sign of infection such as a drainage or notice increased bleeding where you had surgery, call your doctor right away.

If you have urgent concerns, call 911 or have someone drive you to the closest emergency room.

Be sure to keep all post surgery appointments that you have with your surgeon.