IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS
Please follow all of these instructions accordingly and consult with the doctor if you have questions or concerns regarding any of these areas.
NO FOOD OR DRINK AFTER MIDNIGHT BEFORE SURGERY
If you have anything in your stomach prior to the scheduled operation, the anesthesiologist will be unable to put you to sleep and your surgery will have to be rescheduled for another date. However, taking a sip of water in order to take any necessary medications is acceptable upon the day of the scheduled surgery. If you must take water with your medications, please note the exact time and let the anesthesiologist know. Please bring a list of your medications, dosages, and accompanying instructions with you to your pre-op appointment.
Acceptable medications to be taken before surgery include those for seizures, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, or heart disease.
MEDICATION YOU MUST STOP TAKING BEFORE SURGERY
Blood thinners such as Coumadin, aspirin, Plavix, Ticlid, Lovenox, dipyridamole, or dicoumarol cannot be taken before surgery. Please ensure that your neurosurgeon is aware if you are taking these during your pre-op appointment and let your prescribing physician know that you are having surgery. Our office will contact theirs in regard to these medications and will let you know of their recommendations.
If you are taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin, Advil, ibuprofen, Motrin, Voltaren, Aleve, naproxen, Excedrin, etc., you will have to stop taking them five days before your pre-operative testing.
VITAMINS & OTHER SUBSTANCES TO STOP BEFORE SURGERY
Arnica, vitamin E, gingko biloba, ginseng, garlic, and green tea may not be taken before your surgery. You will need to stop taking these one to two weeks before your pre-operative testing as they can increase your risk of bleeding. Grapefruit seed and grapefruit are known to interact with medications such as those for blood pressure and cholesterol, so these should not be consumed a week before surgery. Finally, alcohol consumption should also cease for 7-14 days prior to your pre-op testing.
ILLNESS BEFORE SURGERY
If you are showing symptoms of an illness (such as a cold) or are currently being treated for an infection before your scheduled surgery, please call our office and let us know as soon as you can.
NOTES ON DENTAL PROCEDURES
All dental procedures must be avoided three weeks before and six weeks after your surgery. Any patients with spinal instrumentation will have to have antibiotic coverage before their dental procedures up to two months after surgery. Any patients with shunts, vagal nerve stimulators, or cranial implants must have antibiotic coverage for life.
