Planning for Surgery

Pre-operative Appointment:
You will be seen for your preoperative appointment within 2 weeks of your planned surgery date. At this appointment your doctor will review your surgery in detail with you and answer any remaining questions you may have. Consents will be signed, and any boots or surgical shoes needed for surgery will be dispensed.

Laboratory tests:
Your provider will order bloodwork in preparation for your surgery. The order forms will be given to you during your preoperative visit. The bloodwork will need to be obtained within 2 weeks of your surgery date. You may also need to obtain a chest X-ray, EKG or clearance from your medical doctor depending on your medical history. These orders and instructions on how to obtain these tests will be provided to you at your pre-operative appointment.

Medication:
During your preoperative visit, you will receive prescriptions for post-operative medication. Please have these filled just before your surgery so you do not have to stop at the pharmacy on the way home to pick them up.

Transportation:
You will be given the name and location of where your surgery will be performed and the time to arrive in your surgical packet during your preoperative visit.

You must have a ride to and from the Surgery Center/Hospital or your procedure will be cancelled. You cannot use uber, lyft or any other ride sharing program.

If you have dependent children, you will need to have someone provide supervision of your children for the first 24 hours as you may still feel the effects of anesthesia.

Anesthesia:
24-48 hours before your surgery, you will be contacted by your anesthesiologist to review your medical history and answer any questions you may have regarding the anesthesia that is provided to you during surgery.

The Day Before Surgery

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery. This includes water, coffee, gum or prescriptions medications unless ordered by your Primary Care Doctor.

You will be provided with a special surgical scrub to be used on your entire leg, foot and between the toes to decrease your chance of infection.

Do not apply any lotions or creams to the surgical limb.

Nail polish needs to be removed from all the toes on the surgical limb.

Do not drink alcohol or smoke tobacco.

The Day of Surgery

Bring your insurance information and photo ID to the surgery center/hospital.

Bring with you any surgical shoe, boot, crutches and/or roll about to the surgery.

Do not wear make-up or jewelry. Any piercings need to be removed.

You will be asked to remove your contacts if you wear them.

Do not apply any lotions or creams to the surgical limb.

Aftercare

After your surgery is completed, you will spend a short time in the post-operative unit until you are cleared to leave by the surgery center/hospital. When you arrive home, you should rest and elevate your foot to reduce swelling. You may slowly advance you diet as tolerated but begin with crackers, juice and water.

Please review and follow the, “Post-Operative Instructions” sheet given to you the day of surgery.

If you were instructed to be non-weight bearing after your surgery, it is imperative that you follow those instructions.

Please get plenty of rest during this time. Do not drink alcohol or smoke tobacco.

Keep your bandage clean, dry and intact. Do not remove your bandage. Do not get your bandage wet in the shower.

Take your post-operative medication as prescribed by your doctor.

If you feel cramping, swelling, warmth or pain in your calf; develop shortness of breath or chest pain, you need to report to the Emergency Room immediately.

You follow up visit will most likely by 2-4 days after your surgery so ensure you have the correct date and time to be seen.