Orthopedic Sports and Hand Center

Before Surgery Reminders

You will receive a confirmation call 24-48 hours prior to surgery.   The Registered Nurse will verify your Health History, Medications, and Final Arrival Time based on the current surgery schedule.

The night before surgery NO EATING, NO DRINKING, NO SMOKING after midnight.  Your surgery will be postponed or cancelled if you do not follow these instructions.

•  If you do not feel well on the day of  surgery, please call your surgeon's office as well as                                Gateway Surgery Center at 425.374.5160. 
• Take a bath or shower the morning of surgery.
• Don't shave your surgical area, shaving increases risk of infection.
• Please do not wear make-up or perfumes.
• You may brush your teeth and gargle on the morning of your surgery without drinking water.
• You may keep artificial nails on if your nails are clean and short.
• Please wear comfortable loose fitting clothing. These clothing should be easy to put on. Remember, you may have a bulky dressing after surgery and your clothes should be large enough to allow for this.
• Please leave jewelry and other valuables at home for safekeeping.
• Remove all body piercings.
• Please leave home in plenty of time to arrive at the time specified during your preoperative call. 
• You must arrange for a ride home with a responsible adult and arrange for someone to stay with you for at least 24 hrs after surgery to help with your post op care.
• Bring special equipment (crutches, walker) if applicable.
• Bring pillows to elevate your surgical extremitiy on the ride home.
• Please bring your inhalers, insulin, portable C-PAP machine, hearing aid/contact lens/glasses cases.
• Don't forget to present your insurance card and ID on arrival, as well as any copays or deposits that are needed.
• Medications and anesthesia may be harmful to a fetus, especially in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, please contact your surgeon prior to your scheduled surgery.
• Talk to your surgeon or ask the preoperative nurse about which medications to take before surgery, if any.
• Call your surgeon if you have any unusual symptoms or unexpected changes in your condition.
• Remember to park on the SECOND FLOOR parking level (37th and Lombard, drive up the concrete platform, park, then enter on the second floor.)