Surgery Checklist

1.      Please stop aspirin, coumadin, plavix, anti-inflammatories (aleve, motrin, advil, ibuprofen, diclofenac, lodine, clinoril etc.) , glucosamine and herbs that cause thinning of the blood or increases clotting, 1 week before your surgery. Please check with your primary care doctor before stopping any prescribed blood thinners such as coumadin. For more information go to link http://www.holistic-online.com/Herbal-Med/hol_herb_med_reac.htm

2.      If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, lung or heart disease, you will need to have an ekg and labs before your surgery. Please contact our office for the prescription. You may get them done at a hospital near you. You will need to call to that hospital to set up the appointment. If you have had recent test done, please check with your surgical facility to see if they are within their requirements.

3.      If you are 50 years or older you will also need to have an ekg before your surgery. Please call our office for the prescription. You will have to call a hospital near you to set up the ekg appointment. 

4.      It is your responsibility to arrange in advance for a responsible adult to drive you home and remain with you the first 24 hours after surgery.  You cannot drive yourself or be left alone.

5.      Please bathe or shower prior to your surgery.  Wash the body part you are having surgery on with iodine, or hibiclens soap (available at drugstore).  Remove all makeup. Do not use lotions or oils after bathing. You may wear light deodorant.

6.      Wear loose, comfortable clothing such as sweat suits and easy to button shirts that are big enough to accommodate a large bandage and sling after surgery. Wear comfortable shoes.

7.      Leave all valuables, including jewelry and cash, at home.  We cannot be responsible for damaged or lost property.

8.      Bring a list of all your regular medications with dosage and frequency with you on the day of surgery, both prescription and non-prescription.

9.      Be prepared to sign a form giving consent for the surgery.  If the patient is under 18, a parent or legal guardian must accompany the patient and sign the consent form.

10. Bring all insurance cards and your driver’s license with you.

11. It is your responsibility to notify our office if your insurance has changed. Please make sure we have all updated information on your insurance and where you will be staying after surgery.

12. It is also your responsibility to check and make sure Dr. Eppley is a preferred provider and to see if you have any co-payments or deductibles for surgery, after care and physical therapy.

13.  Please also make sure your insurance covers the use of a Physician Assistant, if needed for your surgery.

14. Please arrive one hour before your scheduled procedure if it is at a surgery center and arrive 2 hours before if scheduled at Alta Bates Hospital.

 15. Your family will be asked to wait in the lobby. The surgeon will speak with your family immediately following the surgery.