Getting Ready For Surgery - Back Surgery Procedure Preparation
If you are having a back surgery procedure in the near future, you'll have several things to do to prepare for the operation.
This check list is intended to help you anticipate what you'll need to do to get ready for most back surgery procedures.
Your surgeon will also give you specific pre-operative instructions before you have surgery.
·Choose a surgeon.
Either an orthopedic surgeon or a neurosurgeon can perform most back surgery procedures.
It's okay to ask for a second opinion and your surgeon should not have any objections to it.
It's okay to make sure your surgeon is qualified and experienced, too.
You can ask questions like: oWhere did you go to medical school? oWhat kind of training do you have in performing back surgery procedures? oAre you board certified in your specialty? oHow many of these procedures have you done? ·Talk to other people who have had a similar back surgery procedure.
Talking to others helps you anticipate problems, see what life is like after surgery and get support from them.
·Stop smoking.
Smoking increases the risk of serious complications with any surgery.
·Eat a nutritious diet, get regular exercise and get enough sleep.
You want to be as healthy as possible before surgery.
·Prepare for blood loss.
Unless you are having a minimally invasive back surgery procedure, you may have some bleeding during or after surgery.
Your doctor may suggest that you prepare for that by storing blood for autologous transfusion.
It's much safer to use your own blood for transfusion than to use donor blood.
You should also stop taking aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications 10-14 days before surgery because they can thin your blood and make bleeding more likely.
If you take anticoagulants (blood thinners), discuss it with your surgeon.
·Tests.
You could have several tests before surgery.
You could have x-rays, a CT scan, MRI, or other tests to evaluate your back problem.
You'll need at least a blood count and urinalysis a few days before surgery.
Depending on your age and health status, you could need other blood work, chest x-rays, an electrocardiogram, lung function tests or other procedures.
·Health insurance.
Your health insurance policy may require you to get pre-authorization or a second opinion in order to pay for the surgery.
The surgeon's office or hospital may take care of this for you, but you want to make sure that all the insurance requirements are met before surgery.
·Plan for after surgery.
You may need to take time off work, arrange for help after surgery, get special equipment, or make other preparations for after surgery.
This check list is intended to help you anticipate what you'll need to do to get ready for most back surgery procedures.
Your surgeon will also give you specific pre-operative instructions before you have surgery.
·Choose a surgeon.
Either an orthopedic surgeon or a neurosurgeon can perform most back surgery procedures.
It's okay to ask for a second opinion and your surgeon should not have any objections to it.
It's okay to make sure your surgeon is qualified and experienced, too.
You can ask questions like: oWhere did you go to medical school? oWhat kind of training do you have in performing back surgery procedures? oAre you board certified in your specialty? oHow many of these procedures have you done? ·Talk to other people who have had a similar back surgery procedure.
Talking to others helps you anticipate problems, see what life is like after surgery and get support from them.
·Stop smoking.
Smoking increases the risk of serious complications with any surgery.
·Eat a nutritious diet, get regular exercise and get enough sleep.
You want to be as healthy as possible before surgery.
·Prepare for blood loss.
Unless you are having a minimally invasive back surgery procedure, you may have some bleeding during or after surgery.
Your doctor may suggest that you prepare for that by storing blood for autologous transfusion.
It's much safer to use your own blood for transfusion than to use donor blood.
You should also stop taking aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications 10-14 days before surgery because they can thin your blood and make bleeding more likely.
If you take anticoagulants (blood thinners), discuss it with your surgeon.
·Tests.
You could have several tests before surgery.
You could have x-rays, a CT scan, MRI, or other tests to evaluate your back problem.
You'll need at least a blood count and urinalysis a few days before surgery.
Depending on your age and health status, you could need other blood work, chest x-rays, an electrocardiogram, lung function tests or other procedures.
·Health insurance.
Your health insurance policy may require you to get pre-authorization or a second opinion in order to pay for the surgery.
The surgeon's office or hospital may take care of this for you, but you want to make sure that all the insurance requirements are met before surgery.
·Plan for after surgery.
You may need to take time off work, arrange for help after surgery, get special equipment, or make other preparations for after surgery.
