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Pre-Operative Instructions
- Do not eat or drink after midnight before your surgery. The Anesthesiologist will not put you to sleep if you have anything in your stomach and your surgery will be cancelled. It is OK, however, to have a sip of water with your necessary medications the morning of surgery. Just note the time so that you can tell your Anesthesiologist. Examples of necessary medications include Decadron and anti-seizure medications. Other necessary medications include those for high blood pressure, thyroid, and heart disease. If you are diabetic, bring your morning medication with you to the hospital to discuss with your Anesthesiologist. Please bring your medications, with the dosage and instructions, to your pre-op appointment.
- If you are taking blood thinning medications (Coumadin, Aspirin, Plavix, Ticlid, Lovenox, Dipyridamole, Dicoumarol) they will need to be stopped prior to surgery. Notify the prescribing physician that you are having surgery and
he/she can stop your medication when appropriate. Make sure your Neurosurgeon knows that you are taking these.
- If you are taking non-steroidal medications (Aspirin, Advil, Ibuprofen,
Motrin, Voltaren, Aleve, Naproxen, Exedrin, etc.) they will need to be stopped 5 days to 2 weeks prior to surgery. Ask your neurosurgeon specifically when he/she feels this is necessary.
- If you take any of the listed vitamins and herb medicine, you need to stop them 7 days prior to your surgery: Arnica, Vitamin E, Ginko Biloba, Ginseng, Garlic, and Green Tea. These increase your risk of bleeding. Grapefruit
seed interacts with many medications such as blood pressure and cholesterol medications just to name a few. Stop taking any form of Grapefruit 7days prior to surgery.
- If you feel you are developing cold symptoms or you are actively being treated for an infection prior to surgery, please notify our office as soon as possible.
- If we have given you your x-rays, you need to bring them with you to the hospital the day of surgery. Please give them to the hospital staff when you check in to surgery holding.
- Dental procedures are to be avoided 3 weeks prior to surgery and for 6 weeks following your surgical procedure. Patients with spinal instrumentation, shunt, vagal nerve stimulator or cranial implant will need to have antibiotic coverage for life.
- If you have thought of any question that you want to ask your doctor before surgery, write them down and let the nurse know that she can tell your Neurosurgeon.
- Please contact Monica Brown, RN at least 3-4 weeks prior to your surgery to review medications.
775-323-2080 Ext#118, Toll Free 1-888-323-2080
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