Before Surgery

General Information 
  • Diabetics - Please, consult the health care provider that manages your diabetes for instructions.
  • Change in health status - If you develop a cold, fever, cough, open sores, cuts or significant changes on your arm or hand, please contact my office before the day of surgery at (402) 354-0707.
  • Eating and Drinking - Unless otherwise instructed, DO NOT eat or drink anything after midnight before your surgery. This includes ice chips, chewing gum and mints. DO NOT drink alcohol, smoke tobacco, or use recreational drugs within 24 hours of your operation. If you have had anything to eat or drink, including water, without having been instructed to do so, your surgery may be delayed or cancelled. If you are having Wide Awake Hand Surgery, you may eat and drink up to the time of surgery. 
  • Pre-operative hygiene - The night before surgery, clean and trim your fingernails. Fingernail polish and false nails need to be removed. If your arm is not bandaged, wash with pre-surgical scrub as instructed.  Remove all jewelry including body piercings.

Medications that you should STOP prior to surgery
  • Blood Thinners - Aspirin, Coumadin, Plavix, Ticlid need to be stopped 7 days before surgery. If you have had coronary stents, heart surgery, or vascular surgery, you may need to remain on these medicines up to and including the day of surgery. You must check with the doctor who prescribed these medications how to adjust the dosage before your surgery.  
  • Anti-Inflammatory Medications - Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), Naprosyn (Aleve, Naproxen), Meloxicam (Mobic), Diclofenac (Arthrotec, Voltaren), Etodolac (Lodine), Nabumetone (Relafen), Indocin, Daypro, Feldene. These medications need to be stopped 7 days before surgery.
  • Herbal Medications - Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, Echinaceae, Fish Oil, Gingko Biloba, Ginseng, Melatonin. These medications need to be stopped 2 weeks before surgery. 

Medications that you may CONTINUE prior to surgery
Most blood pressure, heart, breathing, seizure, narcotic pain, and anti-reflux medications should be taken the morning of the surgery with a small sip of water. DO NOT TAKE diuretics (water pills) or antacids (Maalox, Mylanta, Tums).