How to Prepare for Joint Replacement Surgery

• Call your primary care doctor to make an appointment for your pre-op medical exam, if indicated
• If you have heart problems, talk to your cardiologist about your joint surgery
• If you need to get work done on your teeth, finish it now
• Do not drink any alcohol
• Stop smoking or using tobacco
• Eat healthy foods
• Keep exercising as directed by your surgeon or therapist
• Begin contacting your insurance company to inquire about what medical equipment will or will not be covered, any co-pays and coverage of physical therapy after discharge.

• Complete your pre-op medical clearance
• Attend Joint Replacement Seminar
• Prepare your home for recovery with your coach
  • Get a non-slip mat for your shower or bathtub
  • Remove any obstacles in your home that may cause you to trip (i.e. Throw rugs, extension cords, etc.)
• Begin preoperative exercises
• Find someone to take care of your pets, children or any elderly people
• Cancel any dental appointments that fall between 4 weeks prior to surgery and 3 months after surgery.

• Pre-register for your surgery and complete your pre-admission testing appointment
• If you have not already attended Joint Replacement Seminar, do so now
• Begin/Continue preoperative exercises
• Begin increasing your fiber in your diet and water intake
• Begin taking an over the counter stool softener, unless otherwise directed from physician
• Make sure that things you use often are easy to reach
• Make sure your coach or someone is available to take you home after your surgery

• Pre-register for your surgery and attend pre-admission testing appointment
• If you have not already attended Joint Replacement Seminar, do so now
• Continue preoperative exercises
• Begin increasing your fiber in your diet and water intake
• Begin taking an over the counter stool softener, unless otherwise directed from physician (Do not add stool softener if you have IBS, Diverticulitis, Crohn’s Disease or any other condition involving the bowel/stomach without speaking to your physician.)
• Make sure that things you use often are easy to reach
• Make sure your coach or someone is available to take you home after your surgery
• Ask your coach to help you do a fresh load of laundry (towels, bed sheets, clothes)
• Get any extra groceries or supplies you will need
• Ensure you have all of the equipment you will need post-surgery

• Do not eat any food or drink after midnight, unless otherwise indicated by your physician or pre-admission testing nurse.
• Do not drink alcohol the day or night before your surgery
• If you have any new prescriptions, make sure to pick the medications up from the pharmacy
• Pack your hospital bag
• Shower with CHG soap the night before and morning of surgery
• Drink 8 oz. of electrolytes tonight, as instructed. If you were given a pre-surgery drink in pre-admission testing — drink this tonight also, as instructed. (Not every patient will have this.)
• Try to relax and get a good night’s rest.

Please leave all valuables at home, and plan to arrive at the designated time in order for your care team to prepare you for surgery. You will need to enter through the Surgical Entrance of the Dogwood Tower. Please utilize our free valet parking or you may park in one of the designated areas for patient/visitor parking.

After you check in at the surgical waiting room, you will be escorted with one visitor to the Ambulatory Staging Unit to begin preparation for your surgery:

• You will change into a hospital gown and an IV (small catheter in a vein in your arm) will be started so that we can administer your medication.
• You will meet with your surgeon, as well as your anesthesia and operating room teams.

Once your surgery is over, you will be taken to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU/Recovery Room) for typically around 1½-2 hours while you awaken. Once you are ready, you will be transferred to our orthopedic unit.