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Highland Hospital / Neurosurgery / Before Your Surgery

Before Your Surgery

Use this checklist to ensure you have properly completed each step prior to your surgery.

Important to remember!  This guide provides general information about the neurosurgery process at Highland Hospital.

Your physician, nurse or other health care professionals may add or change the recommendations. Always use their recommendations first and be sure to ask questions if any information or instructions are unclear.

Step 1

Know your surgery date.

Once the decision is made, the surgeon’s office will inform you of your surgical date.

 

Step 2

Complete paperwork sent from your surgeon.

Your surgeon will make the arrangements for surgery. A mailing from your surgeon’s office will include:

  • A letter with your surgeon’s instructions to prepare for your surgery.
  • Information about Highland Hospital’s pre-surgical screening appointment.
  • Information about anesthesia
  • A two page surgical pre-admission form.

Please answer all questions on front and back. Bring the completed form with you to your pre-surgical screening appointment.

 

Step 3

Start your exercises

Your physician will give you exercises if they are appropriate for your condition.

 

Step 4

Go to pre-surgical screening appointment if it is required.

  • Our pre-surgical scheduler will call you to schedule a pre-surgical screening appointment if it is required. Please have the following information available to review with the nurse: surgeon’s name; date and type of surgery; health history – including past surgeries. Please also bring pharmacy phone numbers and information about your medications including names, dosages, how often you are taking them and time of day. This includes vitamins and over-the-counter medication.
  • Bring with you: insurance cards, health care proxy or living will (if you have one), and your two-page surgical pre-admission form. If you do not have a Health Care Proxy form we can provide one, if desired.
  • When you arrive you will meet with the secretary who will review and verify your information.
  • Services provided at the pre-surgical screening department are:
    • Blood work
    • EKG
    • Health history screening
    • Pre-surgical education and instructions

Pre-surgical Screening is located on the main floor (Floor 2) of Highland Hospital. Enter the hospital through the main lobby and proceed straight down the main hallway. Turn left near the end of the hallway and continue. Pre-surgical screening will be on the right.

Step 5

Stop all anti-inflammatory medications.

Do not take ASA/Anti-inflammatory medications (Advil, Motrin, Naproxen, Aleve) beginning 10 days prior to your surgical date per your preoperative instruction sheet. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these medications, contact your surgeon.

 

Step 6

Prepare your home. Prepare your home for your return from the hospital. To reduce risk of falls pick up throw rugs and tack down loose carpeting. Remove electrical cords and other obstructions from walkways. Install night lights in bathrooms and hallways.

 

Step 7

Pack for your hospital stay.

  • Insurance cards
  • Copy of advanced directive
  • List of medication changes, if any, since your pre-surgical visit
  • Personal hygiene items
  • Loose fitting pajama pants or shorts with elastic waistbands, loose underwear, shirts, a pair of shoes (walking/gym shoes)
  • Cell phone, if desired
  • Credit card to pay for medications upon discharge
  • Do not bring valuable jewelry or large amounts of cash
  • Brace if required

 

Step 8

Please read and carefully follow the preoperative instructions for any medication changes. The instruction sheet has a section on medications with specific instructions for the day of surgery.

Pre-Wash Prep -Please consult with your Surgeon for specfic instructions

 

Step 9

Know your arrival time for surgery.

  • On the day before surgery you must call (585) 341.6707 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to verify your arrival time.
  • If your surgery is on a Monday, call the Friday before your surgery. If your surgery is the day after a holiday, call on the last working day before the holiday.
  • Even if you have already been given a surgery time, you must call in advance to confirm your surgery time, because schedule changes do occur.

 

Step 10

Do Not Eat anything after midnight before your surgery.

Preparing for your surgery is important. To avoid complications or cancellations of your surgery you must:

  • Not eat anything after midnight before your surgery.
  • Review and follow the surgical instructions given to you by the nurse, specifically related to eating, drinking and medications.
  • Remember not to chew gum or eat mints on the day of your surgery.