Surgery

It is a big day, the day of your surgery. Below are a few tips and suggestions to get you prepared. Should you have any more questions, please contact our surgical coordinators at 212-289-0700, ext 3700.

PRE-OPERATIVE CLEARANCE

Most surgical procedures require pre-operative clearance. Your surgical scheduler will discuss this with you when your surgery is being scheduled.
Pre-operative clearance entails a physical examination by your primary care physician, and depending upon your age, you may also require blood work, an EKG, and a chest x-ray.

PREPARING FOR SURGERY

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery.
If you take daily medications (i.e. heart, blood pressure, diabetes medications), you may need to take them the day of surgery with a sip of water. Please consult your prescribing physician or call the office for specific questions.
Do not take any aspirin, aspirin-containing medications, or nonsteroidal antiinflammatory (NSAID) medications (such as Advil, Aleve, Motrin, Ecotrin, Naprosyn, etc.) for 10 days prior to your surgery. These medications may cause increased surgical bleeding. You may continue to take Tylenol (Acetominophen) up until your surgery.
If you take anticoagulation medications such as Coumadin or Plavix, you will need to discontinue these medications 7-10 days prior to your surgery. Please discuss this with your surgeon and your prescribing physician.
If you take Glucophage for diabetes, you will likely need to discontinue this medication 1-2 days prior to your surgery, as it can interact with the anesthesia. Please discuss this with your surgeon and your prescribing physician.
Please tell your surgeon and anesthesiologist if you take herbal supplements.
Please do not drink alcoholic beverages 24 hours prior to surgery.
Please do not smoke at least 24 hours prior to surgery. It is best to stop at least one week before your surgery. Smoking also adversely affects wound and bone healing – so quitting is best.
If you develop a cold, fever, or chest congestion prior to surgery, please call the office immediately, as we may need to reschedule your surgery.
Please bring a list of all your medications with you to the hospital, so that they can be reviewed by the nursing staff and your anesthesiologist.
Please be certain to have your pain medication prescriptions filled before your surgery, so that you can take them as soon as you get home.
If you are having ambulatory surgery, please make arrangements for someone to accompany you home from the hospital after your surgery. You will not be permitted to leave the hospital without someone in attendance. This is required by law. If you cannot arrange for someone to accompany you home, arrangements can be made by your surgical scheduler or the hospital. If you are undergoing straight local anesthesia, such as minor hand surgery procedures, you may be able to go home yourself. Please ask your surgical scheduler or surgeon if you have any questions in this regard.
If you have any further questions regarding these matters, please do not hesitate to call the office to speak to your surgical scheduler or your surgeon.

Practical things to know…

If applicable, remember to bring your cane or crutches with you to the hospital. If you did not receive crutches before surgery, they can be fitted for you at the hospital after your surgery, but this may delay your discharge.
Please do not bring jewelry or other valuables with you to the hospital.
Please try not wear contact lenses to the hospital, as they cannot be worn into the operating room. Wear your eye glasses and bring along an eye glass case.
If you wear dentures, please bring along a container to keep them protected while you are in the operating room.
Please wear clothing that is loose, comfortable and easy to remove. You will receive specific hospital clothing (such as robe, gown, slippers, etc.) from your preoperative nurse.
Please remove all make-up, nail polish, hair spray, and body jewelry prior to leaving your home.
If you are under 18 years of age, a parent or legal guardian must accompany you to the hospital.
Get a good night’s rest before surgery.

WHERE TO GO THE DAY OF SURGERY

We perform surgery at both Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan and Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens.

Manhattan Location:

Mount Sinai Medical Center, 1468 Madison Avenue (Madison Avenue & 100th Street)
Go To: The Guggenheim Pavillion, 2nd floor, Check-in Surgery
Telephone: 212-241-7778
Check-in time: Arrive 2 hours prior to surgery

YOUR DAY AT THE HOSPITAL

Most of the orthopedic surgeries performed today are done on an outpatient basis. Total joint replacement surgery and certain fracture care procedures require a stay in the hospital for one to several days.
You will be asked to arrive at the hospital two hours prior to your scheduled surgical time.
After arrival, you will be evaluated by nurses and a member of the anesthesia team.
Post-surgery, you will be transported to the recovery room or the ambulatory surgery care unit.
Most patients undergoing ambulatory surgery will be ready to go home within one to two hours after surgery is completed. Please make arrangements for someone to accompany you home after your surgery. This is required by state law. If you are undergoing straight local anesthesia, such as minor hand surgery procedures, you may be able to go home yourself. Please ask your surgical scheduler or surgeon if you have any questions in this regard.
Please be certain to give your surgical scheduler in our office a working phone number (such as a cell phone) to reach you on the day before and of your surgery, in case we need to contact you regarding a change in the scheduled surgical time.

ANESTHESIA

Surgery can be performed under local, regional, or general anesthesia. The anesthesiologist will help you determine which kind of anesthesia will be best suited for you.

Local anesthesia numbs a specific area, such as a finger or joint (knee).
Regional anesthesia numbs your entire extremity (such as an arm or a leg).
General anesthesia puts you completely to sleep.
If needed, we can arrange consultation with anesthesia for you prior to your surgery.