Your Surgical Guide
Before your surgery
- Do not eat or drink anything after midnight, the night before your surgery. This includes water and gum. If it is necessary for you to take medication by the direction of your physician please do so with only a sip of water.
- Please arrange for a responsible person to drive you home after surgery or accompany you home. You will not be allowed to leave alone and unattended.
- Stop taking any anti-inflammatory medications at least 5 days prior to surgery. Notify your physician if you are taking any blood thinners.
- Notify your physician if your medical condition changes such as a cold, fever runny nose, cough, diarrhea, etc.
Day of your surgery
- Please arrive an hour and fifteen minutes before your surgery.
- Please bring your insurance card and method of payment for any monies due at the time of service. We accept cash, check, and credit card-Master Card, Visa, and American Express.
- Please bathe or shower prior to surgery. Remove any make-up, nail polish, lotions and oils.
- Wear loose comfortable clothing for easy dressing after surgery. Please leave all valuables at home.
After your surgery
- It is not unusual to feel a little sleepy, lightheaded or dizzy several hours after surgery.
- Do not drive, smoke, drink alcoholic beverages, or operate machinery for 24 hours.
- Your surgeon will prescribe pain relief medication, as needed, for at-home use following surgery.
- You will be given post-operative instructions. The nurses will review these with you and answer any questions.
- We will send you a survey in the mail following your surgery. Please take a moment to fill this out and return it to the center. We appreciate hearing whatever comments or suggestions you may have regarding your experience at Post Street Surgery Center.
We wish you a speedy recovery.
Your Pain Management Procedure Guide
Before your procedure
- Please arrange for a responsible person to drive you home after surgery or accompany you home. You will not be allowed to leave alone and unattended.
- If you are taking any anti-coagulants such as Coumadin or Heparin (blood thinners), notify your doctor or the Surgery Coordinator immediately.
- Please do not take any aspirin or aspirin-containing drugs for 14 days before the block.
- Do not take any anti-inflammatory drugs such as Motrin, Naprosyn, Relafen for 7 days before the block.
- If there is any possibility that you might be pregnant, you should not have this procedure as it involves x-rays that may be harmful to the fetus.
- Do not drink alcoholic beverages or smoke 24 hours before your procedure.
Day of your procedure
- You may drink clear liquids on the morning of your procedure, but do not eat any solid food.
- Advise the admitting nurse if you have any allergies—especially x–ray dyes or Iodine.
- You will have an IV placed in your arm to permit access for sedative medication.
- Please arrive an hour and fifteen minutes before your procedure.
- Please bring your insurance card and method of payment for any monies due at the time of service. We accept cash, check, and credit card—Master Card, Visa, and American Express.
- Please bathe or shower prior to your procedure. Remove any make-up, nail polish, lotions and oils.
- Wear loose comfortable clothing for easy dressing after your procedure. Please leave all valuables at home.
After your procedure
- Icing the area of injection 20 minutes at a time, three times a day, for 1–2 days following the procedure will reduce local soreness. On the second or third day, heat may feel better. Use ice or heat with caution if skin is numb.
- After the procedure, avoid excessive exercise even if you are feeling great for one week.
- If you are currently in physical therapy, resume it the week following the injection (i.e., injection on Wednesday, restart physical therapy on Monday).
- Be sure follow–up care is arranged with your pain or primary care physician as needed.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR INJECTION:
- FACET INJECTION:
- You may experience low back aching and stiffness for 2 to 7 days.
- Improvement in your baseline condition may be noted as early as 3 to 5 days, but it may take two weeks for significant effects to be noted.
- EPIDURAL INJECTION:
- You may experience low back and sacral area aching for 1 to 2 days.
- You may experience an increase in leg pain for 2 to 3 days.
- Improvement in leg pain may be noted in the first 2 to 3 days, but may be delayed for as long as 14 days.
- You may note a headache, breast tenderness, nausea, or fluid retention from the steroid.
- SELECTIVE NERVE ROOT BLOCK:
- You may experience low back aching or an increase in leg pain for 1 to 3 days.