Getting Ready for Spine Surgery | Dr. Kris Radcliff

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Getting Ready for Spine Surgery

Good preparation makes surgery safer and recovery smoother. This page explains what happens between the day you decide on surgery and the morning you arrive at the hospital. Your own instructions from Dr. Radcliff and the hospital always come first.

The Steps Before Surgery

Scheduling. Our surgical coordinator gives you a date and arrival time and walks you through pre-admission testing.
Approval. Our authorization team requests approval from your insurance and lets you know when it comes through.
Medical clearance. Most patients need a check-up with their primary care doctor before surgery. Depending on your health, a heart doctor or other specialist may need to see you too.
Testing. The hospital may order blood work, an EKG or other tests a week or two ahead.

Medicines

Bring a complete list of everything you take, including vitamins and supplements.
Aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and fish oil are usually stopped 7 days before surgery, unless a doctor tells you otherwise.
If you take a blood thinner such as warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto or Plavix, do not stop it on your own. We will make a plan with the doctor who prescribes it.
If you take diabetes medicine or prescription pain medicine, tell us. The anesthesia team will plan around it.

Nicotine

Nicotine in any form, including cigarettes, vapes, patches and gum, slows healing and raises the chance that a fusion does not heal. If you use nicotine, stop now and stay off it for at least 3 months after surgery. Your primary care doctor can help, and the New Jersey Quitline is free: 1-866-657-8677.

Getting Your Home Ready

Put things you use every day at waist height so you do not have to bend or reach.
A grabber tool, a shower chair and a raised toilet seat help in the first weeks.
Plan for an adult to drive you home and stay with you for the first few days.
Clear walkways of rugs and cords to prevent falls.

The Night Before and the Morning Of

Nothing to eat or drink after midnight unless the hospital tells you otherwise.
Shower the night before and the morning of surgery.
Bring your ID, insurance card, medicine list, phone and charger. Leave jewelry and valuables at home.
Wear loose, comfortable clothes. After neck surgery, a button-front shirt is easiest.

Questions People Often Ask

Will I need a brace or collar? Usually not. Dr. Radcliff does not routinely use braces after lumbar surgery or collars after neck fusion. If your situation calls for one, he will tell you.

How long will I be in the hospital? It depends on the operation. Many minimally invasive and endoscopic procedures are same-day. Neck fusions are usually one night. Lumbar fusions are usually one to three nights.

Can I get a second opinion? Yes, always. It will not change how we care for you.

Questions?

Offices in Somers Point, Cherry Hill, and Brick, New Jersey, as part of Progressive Spine & Orthopaedics.
New patients: 609-800-3472
Existing patients: 609-800-3472

This page is general information, not medical advice. Your treatment should be based on an evaluation by your own physician.