Preparing for Surgery Howard County General Hospital. HOW CAN YOU HELP prior to your surgery Bring all of your current medications to orientation for review. Consult your physician for special instructions if you are taking routine medications, insulin, or blood thinners. Do not eat or drink anything for at least eight hours before your scheduled surgery. Do not chew gum or use any tobacco products. Businesspeople22096537_M.jpg' alt='Spine Surgery Training Programs' title='Spine Surgery Training Programs' />Shower or bathe to minimize the chance of infection and wear loose, comfortable clothing. BATHING INSTRUCTIONSLeave jewelry and other valuables at home. Take out removable teeth prior to transfer to the operating room and do not wear glasses or contact lenses in the OR. If you are a Same Day Surgery patient, arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home and to provide care for at least 2. If you are a smoker, we recommend that you stop smoking at least two weeks prior to your surgery. If you have had any problems with anesthetics in the past, please discuss this with your surgeon so that your anesthesia provider is aware of this prior to your procedure. If you are currently using a CPAP machine for sleep apnea, please bring the machine with you the day of surgery. Orthopedic surgery or orthopedics, also spelled orthopaedics, is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Frequently asked questions before surgery. A.  You may not eat or drink anything for eight hours before surgery with the exception of some but not all medications. Caution Eating too close to your scheduled surgery may require rescheduling of your surgery. A.  Required tests may include blood work, heart testing EKG or x rays. Your primary care physician should have these ordered during your pre op visit. The CedarsSinai Spine Center has a multidisciplinary team of orthopaedists, neurosurgeons, pain management and conservative care specialists, and spine nurses. Boston Medical Center BMC is a 487bed academic medical center located in Bostons historic South End, providing medical care for infants, children, teens and adults. The American College of Spine Surgery was organized in 1999 with Charles D. Ray serving as the founding president. The College was created with the following objectives. Lincoln Ls Manual Transmission Swap more. All tests need to be done within 3. A.  Test results can play a role in the selection of anesthetic techniques e. A. Anticoagulants blood thinners Anticoagulants blood thinners usually need to be stopped several days before surgery. Oral medications may need to be replaced with injected or intravenous IV medications. It is extremely important that both your surgeon and your physician who has ordered the anticoagulants discuss the optimum timing for stopping these medicines. Spine Surgery Training Programs' title='Spine Surgery Training Programs' />Please be aware that many drugs and herbal products may be anticoagulants blood thinners although they are not used for that purpose. Prescription anticoagulants include warfarin Coumadinenoxaparin Lovenoxclopidogrel Plavixticlopidine Ticlidaspirin in many versionsnon steroidal anti inflammatory NSAIDs in many versionsdipyridamole PersantineNon prescription over the counter or herbal anticoagulants include Aspirin in many versionsnon steroidal anti inflammatory NSAIDs in many versionsVitamin Egarlicgingerginkgo biloba. No regional anesthesia can be given in the setting of anticoagulant therapy. Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors MAOIs Drugs in this group include some anti depressants and most anti Parkinson drugs. MAOIs can interfere with many of the medications used during anesthesia. If the medication needs to be stopped, it should be done one to two weeks 7 1. You should discuss this with your surgeon and primary physician as early as possible. MAOIs include tranylcypromine Parnate, Sicotonphenelzine Nardil, Nardelzineisocarbonazid Marplanrasagiline Azilectselegiline Eldepryl, Deprenyllinezolid Zuvox an antibioticSt. Johns Wort. A.  In general, blood pressure heart medications, anti seizure medications and acetaminophen containing pain medications no aspirin or NSAIDs should be taken the morning of surgery with a sip of water. Insulin may be given in a reduced dose. Discuss this with your anesthesiologist. Spinal Stenosis When Is Surgery the Best Option There is no cure for this debilitating condition, but there are treatments available. Neurosurgery Services. Experience. Collaboration. Innovation. Theyre cornerstones of medical excellence. The UT Southwestern Department of Neurological Surgery is a. Spine Surgery Training Programs' title='Spine Surgery Training Programs' />Oral hypoglycemic diabetes pills should NOT be taken. A.  Bring your machine with you on the day of surgery. We will most likely have you use it while you are recovering from the medications you receive. A.  Make sure that you inform your surgeon and anesthesiologist that you have the device and bring the information card from your device brand model, company contact info. Each device responds differently to the devices we use in the operating room. We may need to have the device interrogated tested before or after your surgery, usually within six months of surgery. A.  We are happy to accommodate requests when possible. However, not all of our physicians are available every day. Please contact our scheduler at 4. JOINT REPLACEMENT ANESTHESIAPEDIATRIC ANESTHESIA.