Here’s What to Expect When You’re Facing Surgery

You’re in Good Hands With Our Top-Notch Surgeons and Staff

You’ve been experiencing nagging pain in your hip for far too long. You were hoping that rest, pain medication—and patience—would help you power through it. But nothing has helped. In fact, the pain has become so excruciating that you’re barely hobbling to work and you’ve been sidelined from all of the things in life that you enjoy.

Now comes word from your doctor that you need a hip replacement. On one hand, you’re relieved to have an answer. But on the other, you’re anxious about what to expect before, during and after surgery.

It’s only natural to feel anxious when facing a medical procedure. But patients who come to Kayal Orthopaedic Center for joint replacement surgery in Ridgewood, NJ, and the rest of Bergen County can rest assured we have the finest surgeons on staff. Dr. Robert A. Kayal and his elite team have expertise and experience in the most innovative and effective surgeries, including partial and total hip replacement, knee replacement, ankle replacement and shoulder replacement.

Our surgeons and staff understand surgery can be scary, but we are there for our patients every step of the way—from diagnosis to pre-operative care to the operating room and aftercare. We encourage you to ask any questions and promise to give you straightforward answers.

If you are experiencing hip problems and facing the possibility of hip replacement surgery in Ridgewood, NJ, or elsewhere, you can find answers to many of your questions here in our Learning Center.

We Walk You Through It—Every Step of the Way

Here are just some of the things patients can expect in the weeks and days before surgery:

Your preoperative appointment

– We will discuss your upcoming surgery and provide you with any prescriptions to fill for medication you need after your procedure.– If necessary, we’ll also give a prescription for a brace or sling.– We’ll schedule your follow-up appointments.

The day before surgery

– One of our nurses will call to tell you what time to check in. If your surgery is on a Monday, you’ll probably hear from us on Friday.– You should make arrangements to have someone drive you to and from the surgery center.– If you’re a smoker, you shouldn’t smoke the day before or day of your surgery.– Don’t eat after midnight the day of your surgery.– Make sure to follow your surgical team’s instructions on what medications to take and what medications to avoid the night before and morning of your surgery.– Follow your surgery team’s instructions about showering and bathing. You may be instructed to shower with Hibiclens, a disinfectant, the night before your surgery. Don’t use it on your face, head or private areas.– Don’t shave your legs the night before or day of surgery.

The morning of your surgery

– You’ll be instructed to arrive as early as an hour before your procedure.– Don’t wear jewelry or bring any valuables.– If you were advised to take medications, make sure to use only a sip of water to take them. Don’t eat or drink anything else.– Bring your photo ID, health insurance card, prescription card, a list of all of the medications you take (prescription and nonprescription) and a copy of your advanced directive or living will.– If you have contacts, eyeglasses or dentures, bring cases for them.– Don’t wear makeup or use any perfume, lotion or powder.– If you’re having surgery on your right side, make sure there is no nail polish on your right foot or hand. The same applies for your left foot or hand if the surgery is on the left side.

During and after your surgery

– After you check in at the front desk, you’ll go to a private area to change into a hospital gown and slippers.– Your surgery should take 30 minutes to two hours, depending on the type of procedure.– You’ll be taken to the post-anesthesia care unit to recover while the anesthesia wears off.– Your family is welcome to stay in the waiting room and we will inform them when the procedure is over. If your family doesn’t stay, we’ll call them once your surgery is over. Make sure to provide us with a phone number.– Following your procedure, you’ll receive detailed instructions about your immediate post-operative care.

Follow-up care

– At your post-operative visit, your dressing will be changed and your sutures will be removed.– You’ll have the chance to see the arthroscopic photos taken during the surgery and your surgeon will describe what happened during the procedure.– You’ll be encouraged to ask questions and discuss your progress.– You might begin physical therapy at this time.– We’ll schedule additional follow-up appointments to monitor your progress.

Recovery times vary, depending on the type of injury and surgery you have. But it’s important to listen to your surgeon’s instructions and to avoid doing too much too quickly. When you follow your recovery plan, you’ll be back to your full and active lifestyle in no time.

With our patient portal, you can schedule appointments, access patient forms, review your medical records and test results … and more. Plus, you can get valuable information about insurance plans here.