Follow This Checklist When You Are Preparing for Surgery

Whether you’re planning for a knee replacement, a hip replacement, or spine surgery 一 or any other surgery for that matter 一 it’s important to prepare your mind, body, and home for your upcoming surgery.

Our team of board-certified orthopedic surgeons here at Orthopedic Specialists of Oakland County prepare you for every step of your surgery from your at-home prep to your post-op recovery to the physical therapy in the following weeks.

If you’re getting ready for surgery, here’s what you need to know.

Weeks before your surgery

Approximately four to six weeks before surgery, you’ll need to get cleared for surgery. This may include getting lab work, having an EKG, and checking in with your dentist.

Important reminder: You must provide medical clearance to our office prior to your surgery.

You will also need to attend a joint care class. This class is located on the 7th floor of the St. Joseph Mercy Oakland building.

Plan ahead for your recovery

Planning for your recovery in advance can make your recovery smoother. In the days (or even weeks) before your surgery, consider prepping the following:

• If possible, temporarily set up a bed on the lower floor of your house (ideal if you have a lot of stairs in your home, since you may not feel up to traveling up the stairs right after surgery) 
• Confirm that your time off from work is scheduled (if applicable) 
• Stock your pantry with bland foods (since you may feel nauseous from the anesthesia) as well as easy-to-digest prepared meals, like hearty soup, yogurt, cottage cheese, applesauce, pudding, or soft fruit (like canned peaches)
• Purchase easy-to-don clothing, such as cardigans or zipper sweatshirts (if you’re having shoulder surgery and won’t be able to lift your arms over your head) 
• Stock your bathroom with any wound care and post-op supplies you may need, including washcloths, pill organizers, ice packs, cold compresses, gauze, bandages, pain-relieving medication, etc. 

If you know that your surgery requires an in-hospital stay, be sure to pack a hospital bag with your insurance information, identification, comfortable clothing, toothbrush and toothpaste, phone charger, eyeglasses and contacts (if applicable), any medication you normally take, and books or magazines. Because hospital air is always dry (it helps prevent infections!), don’t forget to pack lip balm and lotion.

The day before surgery

Our team provides you with your specific preparation instructions, which may vary depending on the type of surgery you need, but in general, use this checklist on the day before your surgery.

• Confirm the time of surgery and make sure you know when to arrive and how to get there
• Follow any instructions from our team regarding your medication schedule (such as stopping blood-thinning medication)
• Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before your surgery
• Perform bowel prep (if instructed to do so)
• Start fasting for your surgery (can be anywhere around 12 hours before your surgery, but we’ll provide the specific timeline based on the type of surgery you need)
• Remove all metal objects and jewelry
• Shower before surgery and use any special soap or antiseptic wipes provided

If you have any questions about your preparation instructions, don’t hesitate to ask us! Some of these preparation steps are non-negotiable. For example, if you eat right before surgery, we may need to reschedule your procedure.

The morning of your surgery

On the morning of your surgery, stow your hospital bag in the car and plan to leave with plenty of time to travel to the hospital. Many people may feel a little jittery on the morning of a surgery, and that’s okay. These steps can help you feel calmer:

• Listening to calming music while you head to the hospital
• Try deep breathing 一 a technique for shifting out of flight-or-fight mode and into a more relaxed parasympathetic state
• Focus on the goal of your surgery and your “why” 

Need any easy checklist? For your convenience, we’ve created a printable checklist to make things even easier for you. You can download your checklist here.

For more information on our orthopedic surgery services or to schedule a consultation at our Bloomfield Hills or Clarkston, Michigan office, give us a call at 248-335-2977 or use our online form. You can also send us a text at 248-955-2622.