Preparing for Surgery
MEDICAL CLEARANCE
The Surgery Scheduler will work with you to assist in coordinating the pre-operative medical clearance. Clearance exams must be completed within 14-30 days of surgery (depending on surgical facility).
- Pre-operative clearance (H&P) by a primary care physician within 30 days of surgery
- Lab Results within 14-30 days of surgery (depending on facility)
- Chest Xray within 6-12 months of surgery (depending on facility)
- Covid Antigen test within 24hours of surgery (DISC Surgery Center Newport Beach Only)
- Patients are required to have a Covid antigen test within 24hours of the surgery date.
- At home tests are accepted – MUST provide proof upon arrival
Note:
- If you have a history of heart problems or any other health issues, we may require additional cardiac or other special clearance
- If you are taking Plavix, Coumadin, Aspirin, or anti-inflammatory medications, please make sure you coordinate with your prescribing doctor as to when to stop and restart these medications.
- If you are diabetic, please consult with your primacy doctor prior to stopping any medications
TRANSPORTATION
For your safety, you will not be allowed to drive a motor vehicle after surgery.
You will need to arrange for a responsible adult to safely drive you home and stay with you for 24 hours after surgery.
Taking an Uber or taxi home WILL NOT be permitted for your safety.
WHEN TO CONTACT YOUR SURGERY TEAM
Please notify our office as soon as you experience any of the following:
- Elevated temperature (fever), cough, cold, vomiting or diarrhea
- You suspect you may be pregnant
MEDICATIONS
The Surgery Scheduler will work with you to assist in coordinating the pre-operative medical clearance.
In preparation for surgery, there are several types of medications that need to be stopped for patient safety purposes. Unless you have been specifically instructed otherwise by the surgeon or your personal physician, please stop all the following medications. If another physician’s office has given you instructions regarding medications, please share that information with our office.
STOP 14 Days Prior to Surgery
- Aspirin or Aspirin containing products like Excedrin, Ecotrin, Xarelto, Ibuprofen, Advil, Naproxen, Motrin & all NSAID
- Plavix (Clopidogrel)
*NOTE: Plavix should be discontinued for 14 days BEFORE and 14 days AFTER surgery. Please confirm with your cardiologist that this is an acceptable amount of time to discontinue the medication.
- All herbal supplements (i.e. Ginkgo biloba, ginger, ginseng, glucosamine, kava-kava root, St John’s Wort, Ma Huang, MSM, Vitamin E, Sam-E, garlic tablets, turmeric)
- Multivitamins or supplement packs with numerous ingredients
STOP 7 Days Prior to Surgery
Please discuss w/your primary provider
- Ozempic, Wegovy, Victoza, Mounjaro, Rybetsus
If you are taking these medications for diabetes management or to help prevent or control hyperglycemia (high blood surgery) then consider consulting with an endocrinologist for guidance.
DIABETES MEDICATIONS
HOLD your oral diabetes medications on the morning of surgery.
- If you take insulin, you will likely need to reduce your insulin dose before surgery.
Please discuss this during your pre-operative clearance with your doctor and follow their instructions.
CONTINUE THESE MEDICATIONS AS REGULAR
- Your normal daily medications should be continued until the day before surgery unless they are listed above
These may include blood pressure, thyroid, cholesterol, asthma, or other medications.
- Take your normal morning medications on the day of surgery with a small sip of water.
- If you use an inhaler, bring it with you the morning of surgery.
- You may take Tylenol for pain until the day before surgery.