How To Prepare For Surgery

Our professional, dedicated, and caring healthcare staff is committed to making your upcoming visit as comfortable and easy as possible. A member of our staff will contact you prior to your procedure to go over the details of your surgery including arrival times, medical history for anesthesia, and to answer questions you may have. If you have not spoken with a member of our staff 24-hours prior to your scheduled surgery, PLEASE call the pre-op nurse at (562) 453-3814.

Preparing for Your Surgery

• DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING AFTER MIDNIGHT BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE. This is vitally important and failure to comply will result in complications and may result in postponement of your procedure. If your child is having surgery, please be sure he/she does not eat or drink anything. If your child is an infant, our anesthesiologist may have additional instructions for you.
• If you or your child are taking medications for high blood pressure or diabetes, contact your surgeon or discuss this with one of our nursing staff to ensure proper instructions to take or discontinue the medication.
• If you experience any health change between your recent visit to your doctor and the day of the procedure, notify your doctor. Please report even minor changes such as an elevated temperature, cough or cold.
• If you suspect that you are pregnant, please notify your doctor.
• For your own safety and protection, you will not be allowed to drive a motor vehicle following your procedure. Please make arrangements to have someone bring you and escort you home from the Center. Parents may want to have an additional adult to assist in accompanying a child home.
• If you are receiving General Anesthesia, please speak with your surgeon to schedule an active infection COVID-19 test.

Day of Surgery

• Bathe or shower and brush your teeth the morning of your procedure. Mascara, makeup, lipstick, nail polish and contacts should be removed prior to the morning of the procedure.
• Dress comfortably. Tight fitting clothing may feel restrictive following some procedures, and sensible shoes allow ambulating to be easier following anesthesia.
• Please leave all valuables at home, including jewelry, wallets and purses. Don’t forget your insurance cards/insurance forms and proof of identification.
• Limit the number of people accompanying you. We request only one to maximize the comfort of everyone waiting. Both parents of our pediatric patients are welcome.
• Refrain from smoking after 6:00 p.m. the day before your surgery.

After Your Procedure

• Following your procedure, you will be moved to our fully equipped recovery area. There, our anesthesia and nursing staff will closely monitor you. The length of stay varies, and most patients are discharged within one to three hours.
• Your physician will provide post-procedure instructions regarding diet, rest and medication. The center will provide you with a written summary of these instructions.
• Plan to have someone stay with you for 24 hours following your procedure, and pamper yourself during this time.
• Since it is normal to feel drowsy after receiving anesthetic medication, we also recommend that you postpone the following activities for 24 hours after discharge:
  • Driving and operating equipment
  • Signing important papers
  • Making significant decisions
  • Drinking alcoholic beverages

If you still have questions after you have read this information, please do not hesitate to call us at (562) 453-3814.

How to Prepare for a Total Joint Replacement

Total joint replacement surgeries are not too dissimilar from other outpatient surgeries. However, there a few things you should know about preparing for the surgery and about the surgery itself.

Prior to your surgery, your care team will contact you about stopping certain medications a few days before your procedure. You may also need to supply additional medical information, such as medical clearance from your primary care provider or specialist, laboratory tests and advance directives.

For the procedure, you may have general anesthesia. Some patients also have a regional anesthetic, which numbs the leg and does not require you to be completely asleep. It will also help with pain control after surgery. The choice is between you, your surgeon and your anesthesia provider.

Learn more about the total joint knee, hip or shoulder replacement surgeries.