PATIENT INFORMATION

• Introduction
• First Visit
• Scheduling
• Financial Policy
• Insurance
• Patient Registration
• Surgical Instructions

Surgical Instructions

Pre-operative Instructions

The following instructions may be helpful when preparing for your upcoming surgery. Please do not hesitate to call if you have any last minute questions. We can be reached at (209) 572-6008 during regular business hours.

PLEASE READ AND FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES CAREFULLY

• Plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time to complete the following:
  • Schedule a post-operative appointment one or two weeks after surgery.
  • Review and sign a surgical consent form.  Please address any questions prior to signing.
  • If you are prescribed an oral sedative, a spouse or legal guardian MUST sign your surgical consent form the day of treatment. Otherwise you must make arrangements to sign it ahead of time.
• Pay special attention to your physical well being prior to surgery.  Make certain that you are well rested and eat a light meal before your appointment if you are not being sedated.  This will help you tolerate the procedure better.  Do not drink an excess of fluids before surgery except to take prescribed medications.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing to surgery to allow us to take an accurate blood pressure.  Please remove earrings and necklaces.
• Plan ahead to reduce your physical activities for at least 1-3 days after surgery. 
• Take all of your regularly prescribed medicine unless you are explicitly told not to do so by the doctor. If you are taking Coumadin or another blood thinner, remember to discontinue them as directed.  Please contact the doctor's office ahead of time if you have any questions.
• It may be important to stop taking Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Motrin and Advil, 7-10 days prior to your surgery.
• Take any pre-medication antibiotics as directed by the doctor.
• You may bring your iPod or MP3 player with you if you would like.
• We keep the office cool, so dress warmly.

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS IF YOU ARE BEING SEDATED (ORAL or IV):

1. You MUST have a responsible person escort you to and from your appointment.
2. The night before surgery, eat a light meal, consume no alcoholic beverages, and go to bed early.
3.  DO NOT eat or drink anything 6 hours prior to your surgery.  This means NO FOOD and NO LIQUID.
4. Diabetics should have some juice to prevent hypoglycemia.
5. You may take all of your regularly prescribed medications and/or oral sedative with a MINIMAL amount of water unless you are explicitly told not to do so by the doctor. 
6. Please trim down your finger nails, if they are extremely long.
7. You may not drive for at least 12 hours after your surgery.
8. Please contact the doctor's office ahead of time if you have any questions. 

Antibiotic Pre-medication

Should you have any questions or concerns during regular office hours, please do not hesitate to contact us at (209) 572-6008.