If you're scheduled to have a shoulder arthroscopy, you probably have many questions about what will happen before and after the surgery. How should you prepare for your surgery? What can you expect afterwards? And what should you do to help your body heal? Luckily, we're here to answer all your questions.
Prior to surgery, please contact your insurance company to inquire about any pre-certification requirements. Remember that it is the patient's responsibility to ensure that a procedure will be covered. If your company asks for any type of clinical materials, please let your nurse know and we will do our best to assist you. You should not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery, unless given other instructions by the pre-op nurse. Someone will have to drive you home after your surgery and stay with you for 24 hours, and you should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing the day of your procedure.
There are some medications that you will need to stop prior to your surgery. Aspirin, anti-inflammatories, and arthritis medicine should be discontinued one week beforehand. You may take Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Celebrex as directed. Two weeks prior to surgery, discontinue the following herbal supplements: St. John's Wort, Ginko Biloba, Ephedra, and Vitamin E. A multivitamin is okay. Lastly, if you are on any blood-thinning medication, such as Coumadin or Plavix, contact the prescribing physician on when to stop the medicine for surgery. You should also take steps to reduce or eliminate your nicotine use, as this will slow healing.
After your surgery, you will be given a prescription for oral pain medicine and an ice pack to use during your recovery period. You will be given a sling and should use it until you are seen by Dr. Hanson again. You'll schedule that post-op visit the day of your surgery. A week post-op, you will begin physical therapy and be on the road to recovery.
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