Preparing for Surgery

A Pre & Post-Operative Guide

Skip Menu

Pre-Operative Guide

Preparing for surgery can feel overwhelming, but knowing what to expect can make the process smoother. This guide will walk you through important steps to get ready for your procedure and support a safe, comfortable recovery.

Expand All Collapse All

  • Anesthesia & Medications
    • Depending on your specific needs, you’ll either be set up with a pretesting anesthesia appointment or receive a screening over the phone from the pretesting team.
    • One week prior to surgery, stop anti-inflammatory medications, such as Ibuprofen, Motrin, naproxen (Aleve), or aspirin, as they will make you bleed more than usual. Please review your complete list of medications. This will make surgery safer and help to prevent surgery cancellation. Contact your primary care doctor or cardiologist about any other medications, such as blood thinners/anticoagulants, blood pressure medication, etc.
    • If you have a history of nausea after surgery, please request a prescription for anti-nausea medication before discharge from the hospital.
    • IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT MEDICATIONS, PLEASE CALL YOUR PRESCRIBING DOCTOR.

  • Arrange a Ride Home
    • After your surgery, you will not be permitted to drive a car or leave the hospital unattended. You also will not be able to arrange a cab or a ride service company to take you home.
    • Arrange transportation to and from the hospital in advance with a responsible adult.

  • Ambulatory Assisted Devices
    • Outpatient Surgery: You’ll receive crutches or a walker in the recovery room. You will need to secure other equipment on your own, such as a rolling walker or knee scooter. These can be purchased through a medical supply store or online.
    • Inpatient Surgery: Ambulatory assisted devices will be arranged during your hospital stay.
    • If you own ambulatory devices, please bring them with you on the day of surgery.

  • Prepare Your Bathroom
    • Preparing your bathroom before surgery is important, since this is where accidents are more likely to happen during your recovery.
    • Keep the toiletries you’ll need within easy reach on the counter.
    • When you’re allowed to shower or bath, use a slip-resistant mat inside the tub and a slip-resistant rug outside to help prevent falls.

  • Ask for Help
    • Arrange for someone to stay with you for at least 24 hours after your operation.
    • Identify a family member or close friend who will be able to monitor and assist you throughout your recovery period, particularly for the week following surgery.

  • Surgery Date and Financing
    • IF YOU NEED TO CANCEL YOUR SURGERY, PLEASE CALL ASAP SO WE CAN PLAN ACCORDINGLY.
    • Expected arrival time for surgery is determined by the day surgery center. They will contact you the business day prior to surgery (usually by 3 p.m.) to inform you of your arrival time for surgery. If your surgery is on a Monday, you will receive a call the Friday before.
      • For any questions or directions, please call:
        • Galveston (409) 772-4448
        • League City (832) 505-1200
    • Our financial coordinator may be contacted by phone to address financial questions or issues related to insurance authorization:
      • Galveston (409) 772 5652
      • League City (832) 505-1804
    • Please contact the clinic with questions you may have regarding the surgery itself or any health condition that may present a problem or risk for any surgery:
      • Galveston (409) 266-7846
      • League City (832) 505-1200

Post-Operative Guide

Your recovery after surgery is an important part of getting back to your normal activities. This guide will help you understand what to expect, how to care for yourself, and when to reach out for support.

Expand All Collapse All

  • Dressings
    • Most dressings aren’t changed until your first post-op visit. Keep all dressings clean and dry unless your discharge instructions say otherwise.
    • If your dressing gets wet for any reason, contact the clinic so we can advise you or schedule an earlier visit.
    • Some bleeding through the dressing is normal. Simply add extra gauze on top. If the bleeding seems heavy or unusual, contact the clinic or go to the emergency room.

  • Swelling
    • Swelling in the operated extremity is common after surgery. However, if your toes or fingers turn dark blue, black, or completely white, contact the clinic immediately.

  • Constipation
    • You may experience constipation from narcotics, anesthesia, or immobility.
    • We recommend purchasing an over-the-counter stool softener to take daily (such as Colace or MiraLAX).
    • You should also increase your fluids while on any narcotic medications.
    • If you develop severe abdominal pain, constipation, and/or nausea/vomiting, please go directly to the emergency department for evaluation.

  • Infection
    • Infection is uncommon, especially during the first week after surgery.
    • A low-grade fever is very common following surgery and is not a sign of infection.
    • Temperature greater than 100.4, red streaking from surgical site, a foul smell, pus drainage, or excessive drainage are signs and symptoms of an infection. If any of these events occur, please contact the clinic immediately.
      • League City (832) 505-1200
      • Galveston (409) 266-7846
    • After surgery, you will receive a phone number that you can call for 30 days after being discharged to access a live person Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  Find a Specialist

Elbow
Foot & Ankle
Hand & Wrist
Hip
Knee
Shoulder
Spine
Pediatric Orthopedics
Sports Injuries
Joint Surgery
Bone Health & Fracture Prevention
Traumatic Injuries

  Our Locations

Orthopedics, Alvin
Orthopedics, Angleton DBB
Orthopedics, Clear Lake Campus
Orthopedics, Friendswood
Orthopedics, League City Campus
Orthopedics, PCP Galveston
Orthopedics, Texas City
Football game in action

Stay in the Game: Prevent Sports Injuries

How to stay active at any age: Tips, exercises from experts at UTMB Health

Alleviating Shoulder and Elbow Pain