Important Information
Phone call with pre-operative nurse
The purpose of this call is for a nurse to obtain important health information for you to ensure a safe and smooth procedure. The nurse will contact you to schedule this phone call (generally 5 days prior to surgery). This phone call will take 10-15 minutes. During the call the nurse will find out:
- Which healthcare provider you are seeing for your History and Physical
- What prescription and over-the-counter medications you take (please have them ready)
- Your full medical and surgical history
If you haven’t received a phone call from the nurse 5 days prior to surgery, please call 630-524-0161 (direct line to pre-operative nurse)
History and physical
- You will need to have a pre-operative History & Physical (H&P) prior to surgery. Usually, you will need to see your primary care physician or healthcare provider within the 30 days prior to surgery. If you are unsure about whether you need to get a H&P from your medical doctor, please call (630)513-2635
- Your medical doctor may also instruct you to receive cardiac or pulmonary clearance prior to the surgery which may involve further diagnostic tests including an Echocardiogram or Stress Test
- A detailed “preoperative guidelines” list will be faxed to your doctor so he/she will be aware of the Fox Valley Orthopedics requirements
- Other requirements
- EKG: All patients 55 and older OR patients with history of high blood pressure, cardiovascular, or coronary artery disease need an EKG within 6 months of surgery
- Electrolyte test: If you take diuretic medications or have a history of kidney disease, you must have an electrolyte blood test within 90 days prior to surgery
No food or drink (NPO status)
In general, you should not eat or drink after midnight- including water- the night before surgery.
For example, if your surgery is Tuesday at 11 am, you can have nothing to eat or drink after midnight on Monday. This includes NO candy, gum, mints or lozenges. Also, NO water, coffee or juice the morning of your surgery.
If you have been instructed to take any medications the morning of your surgery, you make take them with small sips of water.
*If you are unsure what medications to take, please bring them with you on the day of surgery*
What to wear to surgery
- Wear loose fitting clothing
- Lower body surgery: Sweat pants, pajama bottoms or shorts
- Upper body surgery: Button down shirt/clothing that is easy to get on and off and will fit over surgical dressings
- Contact lenses should not be worn the day of surgery. Please wear glasses instead
- Please do not wear wear make up, nail polish or jewelry the day of surgery
- You should not bring any valuables with you to the surgery center
- Leave wedding rings & piercings at home
What to bring to surgery
Please bring a photo I.D. with you for registration.
Medications
If you are taking prescribed medications, you will be given instructions on whether you are to take those medications the morning of your surgery. If you are instructed to take them, you must only take the medication with a sip of water.
All supplements such as Vitamin E, fish oils and CoQ10 should be discontinued at least 7 days prior to surgery as they can increase risk of bleeding. Examples of anti-inflammatories that need to be discontinued at least 7 days before surgery:
- Aleve/Naproxen
- Ibuprofen/Advil/Motrin
- Celebrex/Celecoxib
- Mobic/Meloxicam
- Voltaren/Diclofenac
Coumadin or other anticoagulation medications
If you take aspirin or anticoagulants (Coumadin/Warfarin, Plavix, Xarelto, etc.) you must consult your medical doctor or cardiologist for instructions on holding anticoagulants prior to surgery, and for how long to hold it.
It is important to have a specific plan from your doctor, as the timeframe to stop or hold these medications can be unique to each patient’s medical condition.
You may discuss these medications at your pre-operative history and physical visit.
Diabetics
If you have diabetes, please get advice from your medical doctor on how to manage your diabetes medications/insulin prior to and immediately after surgery.
Through your medical doctor, you will have a hemoglobin A1C blood test within 90 days of surgery.
Illness prior to surgery
The week before your surgery, please notify the nurse at (630) 513-2635 if you feel cold symptoms, flu, fever, skin rash, placed on antibiotics, etc. or if you are having any type of dental procedure the week of your surgery.
Illness not properly addressed could lead to a cancelled surgery.
Smoking
Patients who smoke are at a greater risk for serious complications after surgery than non-smokers. These complications can include wound infections, pneumonia, heart attack, and stroke. Smoking can also slow down or prevent broken bones from healing, and can delay the bone healing needed for successful joint replacement and fusion surgeries.
To improve your chances for a successful surgical outcome, stop smoking for at least a month before surgery, and try not to resume for several weeks afterward, or not at all.
No driving home
Following your surgery, you will not be able to drive home. The effects of all types of anesthesia last up to 24 hours, impairing your ability to drive.
You must arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home. Limousine and taxi cabs are not an acceptable means of transportation home from our facility.
If your responsible driver must leave the Fox Valley Orthopedics Surgery Center during your surgery,, please leave us a telephone number where he/she can be contacted and available to join you afterwards at our facility. We request that this individual join you after your surgery to receive instructions for your home care since your memory is sometimes impaired after anesthesia.
If you have not made transportation plans, your surgery will be cancelled and rescheduled.
The only exception is if you are having your surgery/procedure done under local anesthetic (no sedating anesthesia). In this case, you would be allowed to drive yourself to/from your surgery if you prefer. You will be asked to sign a waiver at the surgery center.
Total Knee and Total Hip Replacement Patients
You will attend a pre-surgical class with one of the pre-operative nurses at the Fox Valley Orthopedics Surgery Center. You will receive a phone call to schedule this appointment. If you need to reach the pre-operative nurse, please call direct line 630-524-0161
At this class, you will:
- Have a MRSA bacteria test completed. This test involves a swab from your nose to determine if you carry this particular bacteria.
- Have a chest x-ray as part of your pre-operative workup
- Have the opportunity to ask the nurse questions
Any required laboratory work will be done through your medical doctor/healthcare provider doing your history and physical. A detailed “preoperative guidelines” list will be faxed to your doctor.
Diagnostic & lab requirements for total knee and hip joint replacements:
- Chest x-ray (within 1 year of surgery)
- EKG (within 6 months of surgery)
- CBC with differential
- CMP
- PT/PTT
- Urine analysis with reflex
- MRSA nasal swab
*Your medical doctor may order additional studies. The above list details the minimum requirements
Helpful Resources
Contact Us
If you have any concerns during your course of care please call us at 630-513-2635 – we are with you every step of the way.
Fox Valley Orthopedics Ambulatory Surgery Center
2525 Kaneville Road
Geneva, Illinois 60134
FVO Ambulatory Surgery Center web page