Pre-Op and Aftercare
What you can expect before, during, and after orthopaedic surgery
At Kayal Orthopaedic Center, we believe that an informed patient is a happy and healthy patient. That’s why we encourage you to ask questions about your upcoming appointment or surgery. It’s also important to provide our team with any important medical records or personal information. To prep for an appointment and speed waiting time, visit our Patient Portal and download any necessary forms.
Your preoperative appointment
● You will be instructed in advance if you need medical clearance to have surgery. Please try to secure this clearance before your preoperative appointment.● During this appointment, we will discuss your surgery and give you prescriptions to fill for the medication you will need following the procedure, as well as for a brace or sling, if applicable.● You also will schedule your follow-up appointment at this time.
The day before surgery
● A nurse will call you the day before your surgery and tell you what time to check in. If your surgery will be on a Monday, you may receive this call the Friday before.● If you are sick or have an infection, call to inform your surgeon.● Make arrangements for someone to drive you to and from the surgery center.● Do not smoke the day before or day of your surgery.● Do not eat or drink after midnight the day of your surgery.● Follow your care team’s instructions on which prescription medications to take or to avoid the night before and morning of your surgery.● Follow your care team’s instructions for showering and bathing. You may be asked to shower with Hibiclens, a disinfectant, the night before your surgery. Do not use this product on your face, head or private parts.● Do not shave your legs the night before or the day of surgery.
The morning of your surgery
● You’ll be asked to come in as much as an hour before your surgery. Do not wear jewelry or bring any valuables with you. Please make arrangements for someone to drive you to and from the center.● If you were told to take medication, do so only with a sip of water. Otherwise do not eat or drink anything.● Bring along your photo ID, health insurance card, pharmacy card, a copy of your advanced directive or living will, and a list of all of the prescription and over-the-counter prescriptions you take.● Bring a case for contact lenses, eyeglasses, dentures and hearing aids.● Do not wear makeup or use lotion, powder or perfume.● Remove nail polish from the arm or leg undergoing surgery.
Follow-up care
● Some patients may be prescribed a blood thinner after surgery to decrease the risk of forming a blood clot. Some forms of blood thinners are self-administered by injection using a small needle.● Once you return home, elevate the affected area and apply ice, and take pain medications as instructed.● Rest assured that it is normal to feel numbness after surgery on each side of your skin incision. This happens because tiny sensory nerves are severed during the operation.● At your post-op visit, your provider will change the dressing or remove the sutures on your incisions. You will have the opportunity to see the arthroscopic photos taken during the surgery, and the surgeon will describe what happened during the procedure. You can ask any questions and discuss the course of your recovery.● Physical therapy possibly will begin at your post-op appointment.● You will make follow-up appointments at the recommended frequency/intervals so that your provider can continue monitoring your progress.
Recovery Time
● Recovery time will vary depending on the type of injury you have, but it’s important to refrain from doing too much too quickly after your appointment, and adhering to your doctor’s recommendations. With help from Kayal Orthopaedic Center’s expert team, you’ll be able to return to your active life as soon as possible by following a customized recovery program. Learn more about aftercare for sports injuries in our Learning Center.