Preparing for Surgery

Anesthesia and Medications

• Depending on your specific needs, you will either be set up with a pretesting anesthesia appointment or will receive a phone screen from the pretesting team 
• One week prior to surgery, stop anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen, Motrin, naproxen (Aleve), or aspirin as they will make you bleed more than usual. Please review your complete list of medications. This will make surgery safer and help to avoid surgery cancellation. Please contact your primary care doctor or cardiologist about any other medications such as blood thinners/anticoagulants, blood pressure medication, etc.  
• If you have a history of nausea after surgery, please request a prescription for anti-nausea medication before discharge from the hospital.  
• IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT MEDICATIONS, PLEASE CALL YOUR PRESCRIBING DOCTOR 

Arrange a ride home  

• As a reminder you as the patient, will not be permitted to drive a car or leave the hospital unattended. You will not be able to arrange a cab or a ride service company to transport you home. 
• Arrange a ride in advance to and from the hospital with a responsible adult. 

Ambulatory Assistive Devices 

• Outpatient surgery: you will be provided crutches or a walker in the recovery room. Other equipment, like various walkers (rolling walkers, knee scooters) will need to be secured on your own, usually through a medical supply store or online.  
• Inpatient surgery: This will be arranged while you are inpatient. 
• If you own ambulatory devices, please bring with you on your day of surgery.  

Prepare your Bathroom 

• It is important to place emphasis on preparing your bathroom for postsurgical use because it is an area of the house where accidents are significantly more likely: 
• Place toiletries that you’ll need within easy reach on your counter. 
• When you are permitted to shower or bathe, you should have a slip-resistant mat inside of the bathtub and a slip-resistant rug outside of the bathtub to reduce risk of falling. 

Ask for help 

• Arrange for someone to stay with you for at least 24 hours after your operation.  
• Identify a family member or close friend who will be able to monitor and assist you throughout your recovery period, particularly for the week following surgery.  

Surgery Date and Financing  

• IF YOU NEED TO CANCEL YOUR SURGERY, PLEASE LET US KNOW ASAP SO WE CAN PLAN ACCORDINGLY. 
• Expected arrival time for surgery is determined by the day surgery center. They will contact you the business day prior to surgery (usually by 3 pm) to inform you of your arrival time for surgery. If your surgery is on a Monday, you will receive a call the Friday before. 
  • For any questions or directions please call:  
    • Galveston (409) 772-4448 
    • League City (832) 505-1200 
• Our financial coordinator may be contacted by phone to address financial questions or issues related to insurance authorization:  
  • Galveston (409) 772 5652 
  • League City (832) 505-1804 
• Please contact the clinic with questions you may have regarding the surgery itself or any health condition that may present a problem or risk for any surgery: 
  • Galveston (409) 266-7846 
  • League City (832) 505-1200 

Dressings 

• Most dressings are not changed until your first post-op visit. All dressings should be kept clean and dry unless otherwise noted in your discharge instructions.  
• If for any reason your dressing becomes wet, please contact the clinic to discuss and we can schedule you to come in sooner.  
• Bleeding through the dressing is not uncommon. Simply overwrap with additional gauze. If bleeding appears excessive, please contact the clinic or emergency room. 

Swelling 

• It is common for the extremity that was operated on to have swelling after surgery. If toes or fingers turn dark blue, dark black, or completely white, please communicate this to the clinic immediately. 

Constipation (from narcotics, anesthesia, and immobility) 

• We recommend you purchase an over-the-counter stool softener to take daily (such as Colace or MiraLAX). You should also increase your fluids while on any narcotic medications.  
• If you develop severe abdominal pain, constipation, and/or nausea/vomiting, then please go directly to the emergency department for evaluation.  

Infection 

• Infection is uncommon, especially during the first week after surgery.  
• A low-grade fever is very common following surgery and is not a sign of infection.  
• Temperature greater than 100.4, red streaking from surgical site, a foul smell, pus drainage or excessive drainage are signs and symptoms of an infection. If any of these events occur, please contact the clinic immediately. 
  • CONTACT US AT: 
    • League City (832) 505-1200 
    • Galveston (409) 266-7846 
• Post-surgery you will be given a hotline phone number good for 30 days to access a live person Monday-Friday 8AM to 5PM.