Spine Associates - Back to Normal

Surgery Patient Information

What to Do Before Surgery

Please call our office at 1-713-383-7100 to schedule a pre-operative screening conducted by our Cardiologist.  Pre-operative clinic is every Wednesday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Three Weeks Before Surgery

Discontinue diet medicines, all plant extracts and vitamins,(including Gingko Baloba, and vitamin E). Please discuss this with your primary care physician.

10 Days Before Surgery

Discontinue arthritis medication (e.g. non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs like ibuprofen). Aspirin, aspirincontaining medications and antiplatelet drugs should be discussed with your physician since many of these drugs are given for cardiac reasons and should not be stopped without having a discussion with your prescribing doctor.

The Night Before Surgery

Please DO NOT eat or drink anything after midnight.Including water, gum, candy, and cigarettes. Brush your teeth and spit out the water. Make sure you have a bowel movement this day. Use a suppository or laxative if necessary.

The Morning of Surgery

Take only those oral medications directed by your physician. Take them with the smallest amount of water needed to swallow the medication – only a sip.

What to Bring to the Hospital

When you come to the hospital, bring a list of medications you are taking, the amount you take, and how frequently you take them. This is important for your physician and hospital staff to know. Please do not bring the medications with you. You should bring glasses, hearing aids,dentures, toiletries (such as shampoo and toothbrush),robe, slippers,insurance information, emergency telephone number, and a copy of your advance directives. Since we cannot assume liability for items such as jewelry,credit cards, wallets,watches, or more than $2 in cash, we urge you to leave all valuables at home. If you need to bring cash, checks or a credit card to make a deposit or co-payment, please have a family member take them home after you are admitted. If you have any valuables with you, you will be asked to deposit them in our vault. Please be sure to claim your valuables when you leave the hospital.

Blood Donation

Donor designated blood is blood you have pre-donated. It’s your own blood and may be transfused if the doctor feels you need it. Directed donor blood is donated by friends and family specifically for your surgery. Our surgery scheduling department should be contacted at 1-713-383-7100 as soon as your surgery is scheduled, so that arrangements for blood donation can be made. If you are using your own blood, you will need to make the transfusion 2 weeks prior to your surgery date.

Questions Regarding Surgery

If you have any questions, please feel free to call 1-713-383-7100 to speak with any Spine Associates team member, or a nurse to arrange to speak with Dr. Francis.