The Day Before Your Surgery

Arrival Time:

You will receive a call from our surgery center with your arrival time. Special instructions will be given to you at this time, including information about when you should stop eating and drinking to prepare for surgery. It is very important to follow all the instructions as directed by the nurse or your procedure may be canceled.

We apologize if there is an extended wait for your surgery. The operating room is a very dynamic place and the schedule can either speed up or slow down depending on the day. We want you to arrive in plenty of time for us to prepare you and answer any last minute questions. If the surgeon gets ahead of schedule we can get you in sooner, but please be aware that sometimes the opposite occurs and you may have to wait a little longer. We will be sure to keep you updated throughout the process as to your expected time of surgery.

Prepping Your Skin:

You will be given Chlorhexidine Wipes to prep the skin around the surgical area. Prepping skin before surgery can reduce the risk of infection at the surgical site. To make the process easier, your surgeon has chosen disposable cloths moistened with a rinse-free, 2% Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG) antiseptic solution. Please use these wipes from your waist to your toes on the surgical side for the 3 days prior to your surgery (the third time being the morning of surgery). DO NOT use any body lotion or shave around the surgical area for 24 hours before your procedure. If you have any scrapes, rash, scabs, infections, or breaks in the skin anywhere on your operative extremity, please contact your orthopedic surgeon immediately.

Report Any Cold/Flu Symptoms or Infections to Your Surgeon:

Symptoms to report may include:

  • An elevated temperature
  • Sore or scratchy throat
  • Nasal drainage that is yellow or green
  • Cough or chest congestion
  • Earache
  • Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
  • Problems with urination
  • Open sores, scrapes, rash, scabs, bug bites or breaks in the skin anywhere on the body