Preparing for your surgery

Day of Surgery: Inside Story

Preparing For Surgery

7 DAYS BEFORE

  • Stop all blood thinners, NSAIDS, all dietary supplements, over-the-counter vitamins, and herbal remedies 7 days prior to your surgery (see attached page for full list of blood thinners and NSAIDS).

THE DAY BEFORE

  • Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery.

THE DAY OF

  • Do not eat or drink anything, unless instructed otherwise.
  • You may brush your teeth or rinse your mouth, but spit out all the liquid.
  • Take a bath or shower the morning of surgery, but DO NOT use any powder, lotion, deodorant, perfume, or aftershave.
  • Please wear loose, comfortable clothing.
  • Bring an adult family member or friend to drive you home after your surgery.
  • Leave valuables, including jewelry and watches, at home.
  • Please remove all body piercing jewelry and leave it at home.
  • Please do not wear contact lenses or make-up.
  • Please bring all your medications with you.
  • Please bring your brace with you.

ARRIVAL / REGISTRATION

  • Please arrive promptly at the time you were instructed. This time is approximately 2 hours prior to your procedure, and is necessary so that the staff can prepare you for surgery.
  • Bring your driver’s license or ID and insurance information.
  • You will meet with the admitting clerk of the surgical facility to complete your insurance information.

List of Medications You MUST STOP Before Your Surgery

NSAIDs

  • Choline and magnesium salicylates (CMT, Tricosal, Trilisate)
  • Choline salicylate (Arthropan)
  • Diclofenac potassium (Cataflam)
  • Diclofenac sodium (Voltaren, Voltaren XR)
  • Diclofenac sodium with misoprostol (Arthrotec)
  • Diflunisal (Dolobid)
  • Etodolac (Lodine, Lodine XL)
  • Fenoprofen calcium (Nalfon)
  • Flurbiprofen (Ansaid)
  • Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Motrin IB, Nuprin)
  • Indomethacin (Indocin, Indocin SR)
  • Ketoprofen (Aaron, Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail)
  • Magnesium salicylate (Arthritab, Bayer Select, Doan’s Pills, Magan, Mobidin, Mobogesic)
  • Meclofenamate sodium (Meclomen)
  • Mefenamic acid (Ponstel)
  • Meloxicam (Mobic)
  • Nabumetone (Relafen)
  • Naproxen (Naprosyn, Naprelan)
  • Naproxen sodium (Aleve, Anaprox)
  • Oxaprozin (Daypro)
  • Piroxicam (Feldene)
  • Rofecoxib (Vioxx)
  • Salsalate (Amigesic, Anaflex 750, Disalcid, Marthritic, Mono-Gesic, Salflex, Salsitab)
  • Sodium salicylate (various generics)
  • Sulindac (Clinoril)
  • Tolmetin sodium (Tolectin)
  • Valdecoxib (Bextra) Note: Some products, such as Excedrin, are combination drugs (Excedrin is acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine)

BLOOD THINNERS

  • Aggrenox (ASA + Dipyridamole)
  • Arixtra (fondaparinux sodium)
  • Aspirin (Anacin, Ascriptin, Bayer, Bufferin, Ecotrin, Excedrin)
  • Coumadin (Warfarin)
  • Fragmin (Dalteparin sodium)
  • Heparin (Heparin sodium)
  • Lovenox (Enoxaparin sodium) • Persantine (Dipyridamole)
  • Plavix (Clopidogrel)
  • Ticlid (Ticolpidine HCL)

PLEASE NOTE THAT BLOOD THINNERS MAY BE RESTARTED TWO (2) WEEKS AFTER SURGERY UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED BY THE PHYSICIAN THAT PRESCRIBED THEM.