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Pre-Operative Instructions

  1. 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. However, it is OK 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, medications for seizures, high blood pressure, thyroid or heart disease. Please bring your medication list, with the dosages and instructions, to your pre-op appointment.

  2. If you are taking blood thinning medications (Coumadin, Aspirin, Plavix, Ticlid, Lovenox, Dipyridamole, Dicoumarol) they will need to be stopped prior to surgery. Make sure your Neurosurgeon knows that you are taking these and notify the prescribing physician that you are having surgery. We will contact their office for instructions regarding stopping these medications and then inform you of their recommendations.

  3. If you are taking non-steroidal medications (Aspirin, Advil, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Voltaren, Aleve, Naproxen, Excedrin, etc.) they will need to be stopped 5 days prior to your pre-operative testing.

  4. If you take any of the listed vitamins and herb medicine, you need to stop these 5 days prior to your pre-operative testing: Arnica, Vitamin E, Ginko Biloba, Ginseng, Garlic, and Green Tea. These increase your risk of bleeding. Grapefruit seed and Grapefruit interacts with many medications such as blood pressure and cholesterol medications. Stop taking any form of Grapefruit 7 days prior to surgery.

  5. 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.

  6. Dental procedures are to be avoided 3 weeks prior to surgery and for 6 weeks following your surgical procedure. Patients with spinal instrumentation will need to have antibiotic coverage prior to dental procedures for 2 months after surgery.  Patients with shunts, vagal nerve stimulators or cranial implants will need to have antibiotic coverage for life.

  7. Please contact Monica Brown, RN at least 3-4 weeks prior to your surgery to review medications.  She can also answer any question you have regarding your surgery.  Monica can be reached at 775-323-2080 Ext 118 or Toll Free 1-888-323-2080