Managing Medications Before Surgery
Before Surgery
Day of Surgery
After Surgery
Average stay in recovery depends on your type of surgery and varies from person to person.
Prior to discharge you will receive written instructions and they will be reviewed with you and a family member.
It’s not unusual to experience pain or soreness at the site of your surgery. Take pain medications as prescribed by your surgeon as needed.
It’s normal to feel sleepy and dizzy for several hours after surgery so someone should be with you to assist you with ambulation and going to the bathroom.
Total joint patients DO Not get up without another person with you.
Any questions or problems after surgery please contact your surgeon. Please review the discharge instructions before calling your doctor’s office.
A nurse will call you the next day to check on your progress and answer any questions you may have.
A satisfaction survey will be mailed to you regarding your care at our facility. Your feedback is very important to us and helps us to identify areas of improvement and acknowledges staff and processes that are working well.
Pain Control
Orthopedic surgery may result in some post-operative pain. Pain management is an important component of your post-operative care. For most surgeries pain management starts in the pre-operative area where the anesthesiologist may administer a long-acting regional nerve block and/or oral medication.
Your surgeon may give you a prescription for pain medication. Remember that pain medication takes 20-40 minutes before effective.
Keep operative limb elevated above level of the heart when possible for the first few days after surgery.
Ice is often an effective pain reliever. If advised by your surgeon in your discharge instructions, please use it. When applying cold gel or ice packs, place it in a thin towel or pillowcase before applying directly on skin to prevent frostbite. Although it seems that the coldness will not penetrate the big dressing, it does get through and can be very effective.
If pain is unrelenting despite pain medication, ice and elevation call your surgeon’s office.
- STOP the following medications seven (7) days prior to surgery: Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and NSAIDS (Aleve, Relafen, Indomethacin).
- STOP any diet drugs, vitamins, or herbal supplements 2 weeks prior to surgery.
- Consult your medical doctor or cardiologist if you are taking Aspirin, Plavix, or other platelet inhibiting drugs.
- ALERT the surgery center call nurse if you are taking MAO inhibitors (Nardil, Parnate). These must be held for fourteen (14) days before surgery.
- Heart, blood pressure, asthma, reflux, and anti-seizure medication should be taken the day of surgery with a sip of water, but please confirm this on the preoperative call.
- If using an inhaler for asthma or medication for migraines, bring them with you to the center.
- If taking anti-anxiety medication or allergy medication, you may take it on the morning of surgery with a sip of water. But, please confirm on the preoperative call.
- Insulin and Diabetic Medications: Contact your primary care physician or endocrinologist for dosing instructions.
Before Surgery
- A history and physical from your primary care physician must be done within 30 days of your surgery date. Arrange this within that time frame as soon as possible.
- You must have a responsible adult drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours after surgery.
- A nurse from Lighthouse Surgery Center will call you the day before surgery after 1pm to let you know what time to arrive for your surgery.
- Notify the surgery center if there is a change in your physical condition such as a fever or flu.
- If your surgeon has given you a prescription prior to your surgery date, fill it the day before surgery to minimize travel time on your surgery day.
- If applicable, complete physical therapy paperwork and bring to the surgery center on the day of surgery.
- Nothing to eat or drink past midnight. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of your surgery.
Day of Surgery
- Bring any devices given to you by your surgeon (crutches, walker, sling).
- If you are having upper extremity surgery or shoulder surgery, wear an oversized shirt with buttons. You will not be able to put the operative arm through a sleeve after surgery.
- If you are having lower extremity surgery wear shorts or very loose pants.
- Please remove all jewelry including body piercings.
- Do not wear any makeup.
- Leave all valuables including cash and jewelry at home.
- Bring your photo ID and insurance card.
- For Workers Comp cases bring your photo ID and approval letter.
- If you have a copay, please bring a form of payment. We accept cash, check credit/debit card.
- Patient drop off is in front of the sliding glass door. Your driver can enter the patient parking lot by driving past the gate and turning left into the lot.
After Surgery
Average stay in recovery depends on your type of surgery and varies from person to person.
Prior to discharge you will receive written instructions and they will be reviewed with you and a family member.
It’s not unusual to experience pain or soreness at the site of your surgery. Take pain medications as prescribed by your surgeon as needed.
It’s normal to feel sleepy and dizzy for several hours after surgery so someone should be with you to assist you with ambulation and going to the bathroom.
Total joint patients DO Not get up without another person with you.
Any questions or problems after surgery please contact your surgeon. Please review the discharge instructions before calling your doctor’s office.
A nurse will call you the next day to check on your progress and answer any questions you may have.
A satisfaction survey will be mailed to you regarding your care at our facility. Your feedback is very important to us and helps us to identify areas of improvement and acknowledges staff and processes that are working well.
Pain Control
Orthopedic surgery may result in some post-operative pain. Pain management is an important component of your post-operative care. For most surgeries pain management starts in the pre-operative area where the anesthesiologist may administer a long-acting regional nerve block and/or oral medication.
Your surgeon may give you a prescription for pain medication. Remember that pain medication takes 20-40 minutes before effective.
Keep operative limb elevated above level of the heart when possible for the first few days after surgery.
Ice is often an effective pain reliever. If advised by your surgeon in your discharge instructions, please use it. When applying cold gel or ice packs, place it in a thin towel or pillowcase before applying directly on skin to prevent frostbite. Although it seems that the coldness will not penetrate the big dressing, it does get through and can be very effective.
If pain is unrelenting despite pain medication, ice and elevation call your surgeon’s office.
