01
Plan your dates
Enter your surgery date to see a personalized checklist of what to do and when. Your date is never sent to us or stored by this website; it stays in your browser.
Based on the practice's standard instructions. Always follow the specific instructions your care team gives you.
02
Before surgery
- You will need medical clearance from your internal medicine physician. This visit must take place no more than 10 days before surgery.
- Stop all anti-inflammatory medications, aspirin products, blood thinners and supplements 7 days before surgery. Contact your primary care physician before stopping medications such as Coumadin or Plavix. If you have any questions about medications, please ask.
- You will not be able to drive yourself from the hospital or surgical center, for safety reasons and under state regulations. Arrange for a trusted person to drive you to and from surgery. Taxis and public transport are not permitted.
- Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery. Necessary morning medications can be taken with a small sip of water. Nothing means nothing — including coffee.
- Arrive at the hospital or surgical center at the time discussed, so you can be admitted and prepared for your procedure.
- Pick up all post-operative pain medications from the pharmacy in advance. Prescriptions are provided at your pre-operative visit.
03
After surgery
- Carefully follow all activity instructions and restrictions as they were given to you.
- Home exercises provided to you can begin as early as the first post-operative day, if applicable.
- Change dressings as instructed.
- Keep the incision clean and dry for one week. Showering is permitted 48 hours after surgery — keep the area as dry as possible and don't let water run directly over the incision.
- Call immediately if you have a temperature above 101°F, or persistent redness or drainage from the incision.
- Use pain medication as instructed and wean off all narcotics as soon as you are able.
- Keep all post-operative appointments.
- Pain medication prescriptions cannot be called in to the pharmacy and no refills can be provided over the phone; patients must be present in the office. Please do not call on weekends for refills.
Questions?Call the office at (310) 855-0751. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911.