There are various stages of preparation for surgery. Prior to you surgery, Dr. Brenner and his staff will take the time to give you detailed pre-op information. You will also have a dedicated coordinator to ensure that you are completely informed and fully ready for surgery. Below is an overview of the most common pre-op instructions.
Weeks Prior to Surgery
- No later than 2 weeks before your surgery date, it is required to have your labs drawn, and EKG (if requested). Lab work must not be more than 6 weeks old (4 weeks if your surgery will be at the hospital). If you have a history of smoking, an underlying lung disorder or other condition that could affect your lungs, a chest x-ray may be requested. If you haven’t had your labs drawn prior to your scheduled pre-op day, we will either draw your blood or have you go to a lab nearby. If you go to an outside lab, please ensure with the lab that they will fax your lab results to our office. This is for your safety. Our priority is to make sure you are completely healthy for surgery.
- Stop smoking. Smoking causes reduced circulation to your skin and all your organs, and impedes healing. It is best to avoid smoking, second hand smoke and tobacco replacements, such as nicotine patches or gum in the weeks prior to and after your surgical procedure.
- Take supplements. Once you have scheduled your surgery, start taking multivitamins, vitamin C and zinc twice daily to help improve your general health and healing.
- Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen. Ibuprofen, Motrin, Alieve and all similar medications that contain aspirin should not be taken. Please review our list of drugs to avoid. These types of drugs can cause bleeding problems during and after surgery. As an alternate to these drugs, use medications containing acetaminophen (such as Tylenol).
- Fill your prescriptions. You will be given prescriptions for medications to be filled BEFORE the day of surgery. These prescriptions have to be filled the day before and then brought with you the day of your surgery. You will start taking all of your prescribed medications AFTER your surgery (this includes all antibiotics and pain pills).
One Week Before Surgery
- Ensure all of your questions are answered. At this point in the process, having had your consultation and pre-operative visit, you will have already spent a good amount of time with Dr. Brenner. You still may have thought of more questions outside of meeting with him and you should contact Dr. Brenner’s office to get the necessary answers to these questions.
- Take Bromelain and Arnica Montana. These are herbs that will help with bruising and swelling. These herbs can be purchased over the counter at health food stores or drug stores. For Bromelain, take 1 pill twice daily. For Arnica Montana, take 4 pills, 4 times per day. You should begin taking them approximately 4 days prior to surgery and then discontinue taking them 4 days after surgery. If you forgot to take them and it is now the day before your surgery, you don’t have to worry – just start taking them today.
- Purchase a stool softener. A common side effect of pain relievers is constipation. It can be very beneficial to have a stool softener available (i.e. Colace or Dulcolax).
The Day Before Surgery
- Confirm your surgery time. We will call you to confirm the time of your surgery. If you will be away from your home phone, office phone or cell phone, please remember to call Dr. Brenner’s office to confirm your time at 424-230-7779.
- Do not drink alcohol the night prior to your surgery. This can increase the possibility of vomiting or nausea after your surgery.
- Eating & drinking. Starting the night before at 12:00 midnight, do not eat or drink anything, including water or gum. If you need to take a daily medication the day of your surgery, please take it with a small sip of water early in the morning. It is unsafe to administer anesthesia to you if you’ve consumed solid food or liquids during the 8 hours prior to your surgery.
- Please do not wear moisturizers, creams, lotions, or makeup on the day of surgery. Do not wear contact lenses on the day of surgery.
- You must have transportation provided for you to and from the surgery. You may NOT leave after your surgery in a taxi or limousine. You must have an adult to stay with you for the first 24 hours post-anesthesia.
- Prior to your surgery, please shower and wash the areas to be operated on with shampoo and soap. You can use normal soap, no special prescription soaps are needed. Keep all post-surgical dressings dry until told otherwise by Dr. Brenner.
- Check-in and arrival. Please arrive at the surgical center one hour prior to your surgery. This allows for plenty of time to complete any last minute paperwork, as well as for the nurse and anesthesiologist to meet with you to review your medical history. You will have one last meeting with Dr. Brenner to allow the opportunity for any questions to be answered prior to your surgery.
