Pre-op Instructions
Pre-op Instructions
General Pre-Surgery Instructions
TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO SURGERY:
Get to know Dr. Allred: We want you to know him as a person. You can watch videos about him on his website: darinwallredmd.com.
Become familiar with your surgery. You can find information under the “Pt info. Sub tab: pre-op instructions” tab on Dr. Allred’s website or you can Google the surgery. The more you know, the better.
Please arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery and to stay one night with you when you return home. If you can’t find someone, we may have to postpone the surgery.
Arrange for a History and Physical with your primary care provider.
If you take blood thinners (coumadin, Warfarin, Eliquis, Pradaxa, etc.), you need to make a plan with your primary provider that includes when to stop and restart your medication/decide if you can stop it.
To minimize your risk of complications: stop smoking, eat healthy, keep your diabetes tightly controlled, and follow the CHG (chlorhexidine) wash below.
ONE WEEK PRIOR TO SURGERY:
Stop all aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications (i.e., Naprosyn, Feldene, Motrin, Ibuprofen, etc.). You can take Tylenol.
Stop all herbal medications, supplements, and homeopathic medications. Even natural substances can cause complications such as bleeding.
Rheumatoid patients should contact their rheumatologist to see what medications to stop and when to stop them.
Purchase CHG (see below) and start the pre-op cleansing 3 days prior.
Getting your skin ready for surgery is extremely important! To do this, you must cleanse your skin with CHG/chlorhexidine. This is a special chemical found in soaps such as Hibiclens and other brands. First, purchase the 4% Hibiclens at any pharmacy (Walgreens, Amazon, etc.). Second, gather clean, freshly-laundered washcloths, towels, and clothes for each shower. If you are in a cast, you will not be able to complete this.
Use the CHG for three days prior to, and the morning of, your surgery. If allergy reactions occur, stop using.
1. Purchase CHG (see below) and start the pre-op cleansing 3 days prior.
2. Make sure you completely rinse off in a very thorough manner. Turn off the shower, or step out of the bathwater.
3. Pour a quarter-size amount of liquid CHG/Hibiclens soap onto a wet, clean washcloth, and apply it to your entire body FROM THE NECK DOWN.
4. Do NOT use on your face, hair, or genital areas.
5. Rub the soap-filled washcloth over your entire body for 3 minutes; apply more soap as needed (1/4 of the bottle should be used with each of the 4 showers/cleansing).
6. Avoid scrubbing your skin too hard.
7. Turn on the shower/return to the bath, and rinse the soap off your body completely with warm water. Do NOT use regular soap after washing with the Hibiclens.
8. Pat your skin dry with a freshly-laundered, clean towel after each shower/bath cleansing.
9. Dress in freshly-laundered clothes after each shower/bath cleansing.
10. It is important that the night before surgery, upon the 3rd day of bathing, you sleep with clean bed linens!
11. Do NOT apply any lotions, deodorants, powders, or perfumes to your body.
12. Do NOT shave your legs the night before or the day of surgery! Do not remove any body hair below the neck. Facial shaving is the only thing permitted before surgery.
ONE DAY PRIOR TO SURGERY:
Remove nail polish.
DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING AFTER MIDNIGHT. This includes coffee, water, chewing gum, Certs, etc. This is for your protection.
DAY OF SURGERY:
Do not bring any valuables.
Wear loose clothes that will fit over braces or splints when done (i.e., knee brace or wrist splint).
Remove all jewelry (including piercings).
Take any routine medications with a small sip of water. If you are a diabetic, do not take any medication; however, please bring your medication with you.
If you have crutches or a brace, bring them with you; otherwise, all supplies you need for postoperative care will be issued to you at the time of discharge, including crutches and walkers.
Sign in at the time stated.
You will be taken into the surgical admission area. In the admission area you will:
Change into a surgical gown.
Be interviewed by a registered nurse.
Be interviewed by the anesthesiologist.
Receive instructions from a physical therapist on exercises and crutch or walker training (patient’s preference), if necessary.
Be interviewed by an operating room nurse.
Dr. Allred will see you and answer any additional questions you may have.
After the surgery, you will be in the recovery room for approximately one hour. If you are an outpatient, you will go to the observation area. Outpatients will be discharged when you are able to get out of bed, eat, drink, and go to the bathroom.
Do not drink alcohol while taking prescription pain pills.
General Pre-Surgery Instructions
TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO SURGERY:
Get to know Dr. Allred: We want you to know him as a person. You can watch videos about him on his website: darinwallredmd.com.
Become familiar with your surgery. You can find information under the “Pt info. Sub tab: pre-op instructions” tab on Dr. Allred’s website or you can Google the surgery. The more you know, the better.
Please arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery and to stay one night with you when you return home. If you can’t find someone, we may have to postpone the surgery.
Arrange for a History and Physical with your primary care provider.
If you take blood thinners (coumadin, Warfarin, Eliquis, Pradaxa, etc.), you need to make a plan with your primary provider that includes when to stop and restart your medication/decide if you can stop it.
To minimize your risk of complications: stop smoking, eat healthy, keep your diabetes tightly controlled, and follow the CHG (chlorhexidine) wash below.
ONE WEEK PRIOR TO SURGERY:
Stop all aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications (i.e., Naprosyn, Feldene, Motrin, Ibuprofen, etc.). You can take Tylenol.
Stop all herbal medications, supplements, and homeopathic medications. Even natural substances can cause complications such as bleeding.
Rheumatoid patients should contact their rheumatologist to see what medications to stop and when to stop them.
Purchase CHG (see below) and start the pre-op cleansing 3 days prior.
Getting your skin ready for surgery is extremely important! To do this, you must cleanse your skin with CHG/chlorhexidine. This is a special chemical found in soaps such as Hibiclens and other brands. First, purchase the 4% Hibiclens at any pharmacy (Walgreens, Amazon, etc.). Second, gather clean, freshly-laundered washcloths, towels, and clothes for each shower. If you are in a cast, you will not be able to complete this.
Use the CHG for three days prior to, and the morning of, your surgery. If allergy reactions occur, stop using.
1. Purchase CHG (see below) and start the pre-op cleansing 3 days prior.
2. Make sure you completely rinse off in a very thorough manner. Turn off the shower, or step out of the bathwater.
3. Pour a quarter-size amount of liquid CHG/Hibiclens soap onto a wet, clean washcloth, and apply it to your entire body FROM THE NECK DOWN.
4. Do NOT use on your face, hair, or genital areas.
5. Rub the soap-filled washcloth over your entire body for 3 minutes; apply more soap as needed (1/4 of the bottle should be used with each of the 4 showers/cleansing).
6. Avoid scrubbing your skin too hard.
7. Turn on the shower/return to the bath, and rinse the soap off your body completely with warm water. Do NOT use regular soap after washing with the Hibiclens.
8. Pat your skin dry with a freshly-laundered, clean towel after each shower/bath cleansing.
9. Dress in freshly-laundered clothes after each shower/bath cleansing.
10. It is important that the night before surgery, upon the 3rd day of bathing, you sleep with clean bed linens!
11. Do NOT apply any lotions, deodorants, powders, or perfumes to your body.
12. Do NOT shave your legs the night before or the day of surgery! Do not remove any body hair below the neck. Facial shaving is the only thing permitted before surgery.
ONE DAY PRIOR TO SURGERY:
Remove nail polish.
DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING AFTER MIDNIGHT. This includes coffee, water, chewing gum, Certs, etc. This is for your protection.
DAY OF SURGERY:
Do not bring any valuables.
Wear loose clothes that will fit over braces or splints when done (i.e., knee brace or wrist splint).
Remove all jewelry (including piercings).
Take any routine medications with a small sip of water. If you are a diabetic, do not take any medication; however, please bring your medication with you.
If you have crutches or a brace, bring them with you; otherwise, all supplies you need for postoperative care will be issued to you at the time of discharge, including crutches and walkers.
Sign in at the time stated.
You will be taken into the surgical admission area. In the admission area you will:
Change into a surgical gown.
Be interviewed by a registered nurse.
Be interviewed by the anesthesiologist.
Receive instructions from a physical therapist on exercises and crutch or walker training (patient’s preference), if necessary.
Be interviewed by an operating room nurse.
Dr. Allred will see you and answer any additional questions you may have.
After the surgery, you will be in the recovery room for approximately one hour. If you are an outpatient, you will go to the observation area. Outpatients will be discharged when you are able to get out of bed, eat, drink, and go to the bathroom.
Do not drink alcohol while taking prescription pain pills.
