The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics
Bay Area Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
Make an Appointment Patient Portal

Main Navigation

  • About Us
    • Philosophy
    • In Memoriam
    • Hospital Affiliations
    • FAQs
  • Our Providers
    • Stephen Brown, M.D.
    • William C. Doukas, M.D.
    • Mark R. Linzer, D.P.M.
    • Emeka Nwodim, M.D., FAAOS
    • Thomas Phan, M.D.
    • Vivek Sood, M.D.
    • Megan Dyson, PA-C
    • Selma Mustafa, PA-C
    • Steve Sullivan, PA-C
    • Aliesha Mann, CRNP
    • Prashanth Jayaprakash, MPT
  • Specialties
    • Hip
    • Knee
    • Shoulder
    • Hand & Wrist
    • Elbow
    • Spine
    • Foot & Ankle
    • Sports Medicine
    • Trigger Point Injections
  • Services
    • Orthopaedic Surgery
    • Rehabilitation Medicine
    • Joint Replacement Surgery
    • Arthroscopic Surgery
    • Physician Assistance Medicine
    • Workers' Compensation
  • Patient Info
    • Insurance & Managed Care
    • Patient Testimonials
    • Preparing for Surgery & Procedure
  • Locations
    • Arnold
    • Glen Burnie
    • Kent Island
    • Chester Physical Therapy
    • Glen Burnie Physical Therapy
Patient Information

You are here:

Home Patient Info Preparing for Surgery & Procedure

Preparing for Surgery & Procedure

Preparing for Surgery

Once you and your Doctor decide that surgery will help you, you’ll need to learn what to expect from the surgery and create a 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.

Working with Your Doctor

Before surgery, your doctor will perform a complete physical examination to make sure you don’t have any conditions that could interfere with the surgery or the outcomes. Routine tests, such as blood tests and X-rays, are usually performed a week before any major surgery.

  • Discuss any medications you are taking with your doctor and your family physician to see which ones you should stop taking before surgery
  • Discuss with your doctor about options for preparing for potential blood replacement, includes donating your own blood, medical interventions and other treatments, prior to surgery
  • If you are overweight, losing weight before surgery will help decrease the stress you place on your new joint. However, you should not diet during the month before your surgery
  • If you are taking aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications or warfarin or any drugs that increase the risk of bleeding you will need to stop taking them one week before surgery to minimize bleeding
  • If you smoke, you should stop or cut down to reduce your surgery risks and improve your recovery
  • Have any tooth, gum, bladder or bowel problems treated before surgery to reduce the risk of infection later
  • Eat a well-balanced diet, supplemented by a daily multivitamin with iron
  • Report any infections to your surgeon. Surgery cannot be performed until all infections have cleared up
  • Arrange for someone to help out with everyday tasks like cooking, shopping and laundry
  • Put items that you use often within easy reach before surgery so you won’t have to reach and bend as often
  • Remove all loose carpets and tape down electrical cords to avoid falls
  • Make sure you have a stable chair with a firm seat cushion, a firm back and two arms
    • Managed Care Policies
    Preparing for Procedure

    If you are having Day Surgery, remember the following:

    • Have someone available to take you home, you will not be able to drive for at least 24 hours
    • Do not drink or eat anything in the car on the trip home
    • The combination of anesthesia, food, and car motion can quite often cause nausea or vomiting. After arriving home, wait until you are hungry before trying to eat. Begin with a light meal and try to avoid greasy food for the first 24 hours
    • If you had surgery on an extremity (leg, knee, hand or elbow), keep that extremity elevated and use ice as directed. This will help decrease swelling and pain
    • Take your pain medicine as directed. Begin the pain medicine as you start getting uncomfortable, but before you are in severe pain. If you wait to take your pain medication until the pain is severe, you will have more difficulty in controlling the pain

    About Us

    We want to see you well! Our mutual goal and the determined efforts of all our caring professionals is to assist our patients through every phase of needed orthopaedic care – up to and through therapy, rehabilitation and recovery. To achieve this goal our professional team includes not only Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeons, but also includes Board Certified specialists in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation/Physiatry and Physician Assistants with highly specialized training in the field of orthopaedics.

    Read More

    Links

    • About Us
    • Our Providers
    • Locations
    • Services
    • Patient Info

    Sign Up For Our Newsletter

    Find us on:

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Google+
    • YouTube
    Copyright © 2021 Bay Area Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
    Site by Piszko
    Non-Discrimination Policy   Privacy Policy