Your Surgery
Making the decision to have surgery to correct your spinal disorder is a very big step. Once you have made the decision to have surgery, both our staff and you have to prepare diligently for your procedure.
If you need to review surgical treatment options that your doctor has planned, click here.
Once you have decided to have surgery contact our office and you will be directed to the appropriate person to help you. The first steps are to pick a tentative surgical date and get authorization for the surgery from your insurance carrier. In some cases, the process of obtaining authorization can be quite frustrating and prolonged. We will do everything in our power, however, to expedite the authorization process and get your surgery scheduled in a timely fashion.
Screening laboratory studies, tests and medical consultations may be obtained well in advance of your surgery in order to avoid "surprises" at the last minute that may force cancellation of your surgery. This is particularly of concern if you have had significant medical illnesses or problems (i.e., heart attack, pulmonary disease, etc.).
In some cases a second opinion may be required by your insurance carrier. Second opinions are always permitted and even encouraged. If requested, we will be happy to provide you with the names and contact information for other spine surgeons who will assist you.
Once authorization for surgery is granted and a surgical date selected, you will be scheduled for your pre-operative appointment. This is usually scheduled for early in the week of your surgery or the week before your surgery. This appointment is usually scheduled within a week of your surgery date. The purpose of this appointment is for your doctor to go over your final preoperative and post-operative treatment plan, perform a history and physical, and obtain the final consent for the planned procedure.
A week or two before surgery certain medications, such as those that contain aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, must be stopped at least a week prior to your surgery. Some of these medications can cause excessive bleeding during surgery. Click here to view a more detailed explanation as well as a list of some of these medications.
In some cases, our office will arrange for spinal neurophysiological monitoring to be performed during your surgery. This is for your safety and to minimize the possibility of nerve damage during surgery.
Finally, you will attend your pre-operative visit and discuss the surgery with your doctor as described previously. Several other key things that usually need to be accomplished (often on the same day as your pre-operative visit) are:
1. Obtain pre-operative laboratory studies
2. Pick up prescriptions for post-operative medications (particularly for outpatient surgery)
3. Perform pre-admission to the hospital or surgery center
4. Get fitted for post-operative braces if the physician has requested that you wear one.
On the day before your surgery you will be contacted by your anesthesiologist, who will discuss with you his/her plan to keep you comfortable during and immediately after your surgery. It is important that you be available by telephone the day and evening before your surgery so that you can be contacted, not only by the anesthesiologist, but also by our office staff for any last-minute concerns that may arise. It is important to get a good night's sleep the night before your surgery.
Finally, the day of your surgery arrives. You will need to fast at least 8 hours before surgery and be at the hospital or surgery center at least 90 minutes and sometimes 120 minutes (2 hours) before your scheduled surgery time. You will be instructed by the anesthesiologist as to which of your medications (if any) to take on the day of your surgery.
Links:
:: List of NSAIDs to Stop Before Spinal Surgery