Preparing for Surgery

Once you and your doctor decide that surgery will help you, you will need to learn what to expect from the surgery and create a treatment plan for the best results afterward. Preparing mentally and physically for surgery is an important step toward a successful result. Understanding the process and your role in it will help you recover more quickly and have fewer problems.

Before surgery, your doctor will perform a complete physical examination to make sure you don’t have any conditions that could interfere with the surgery or the outcomes. Medical clearance by your primary care doctor may be required depending on your medical history.

• Discuss any medications you are taking with your doctor and your family physician to see which ones you should stop taking before surgery.
• If you are overweight, losing weight before surgery will help decrease the stress you place on your body and joints. However, you should not diet during the month before your surgery.
• If you are taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), warfarin, Eliquis, Plavix, Xarelto, Lovenox or any drugs that increase the risk of bleeding you will need to stop taking them one week before surgery to minimize bleeding.
• If you smoke, you should stop or cut down to reduce your surgery risks and improve your recovery.
• Eat a well-balanced diet supplemented by a daily multivitamin with iron, calcium, and vitamin D.
• Report any infections to your surgeon. Surgery cannot be performed until all infections have cleared up. 
• Have any tooth, gum, bladder or bowel problems treated before surgery to reduce the risk of infection.
• Arrange for someone to help out with everyday tasks like cooking, shopping, and laundry.
• Put items that you use often within easy reach before surgery.
• Remove all loose carpets and tape down electrical cords to avoid falls.
• Think about how you will get around when you are not allowed to put weight on your foot or ankle. Options include crutches, a walker, a knee scooter, or a wheelchair. You may require pre-operative physical therapy in order to make sure you can appropriately use these devices.
• Knee scooters are typically not covered by insurance but you can rent them from various locations in Denver or you can buy a used one
• Peri-operative Shower Instructions