Preparation for Foot and Ankle Surgery
Your surgery will occur in our main building at Hospital for Special Surgery located at 535 East 70th Street, between York Avenue and the FDR Drive. Surgery is either ambulatory or same day.
Ambulatory means you will have surgery and go home that day following a brief stay in the recovery room. The entire process from surgery to recovery will vary but can take anywhere from 4-8 hours. New York State (NYS) Law requires that Ambulatory Patients have an escort to take them home.
Same Day means that you will be admitted on the same day and stay in the hospital one- or two-nights following surgery.
he category your surgery falls into depends upon your surgeon and your personal needs, and may be influenced by your insurance company. Some procedures have insurance pre-certification requirements and are scheduled as ambulatory cases, but may need to be changed to same day based on recovery and need. This should be discussed with Dr. Deland’s office staff.
Pre-Surgical Screening
Once you have scheduled a surgery date, you will be given specific instructions on how to prepare for your surgery.
Pre-Admission Testing
You will be instructed by the Dr. Deland’s office staff if you require pre-admission testing. All tests must be completed within 10 days prior to surgery.
This pre-surgical screening is determined by Dr. Deland and may be done at HSS or an outside facility. If you are going to be admitted to the hospital for a few days you will need the clearance exam to be provided by an HSS medical physician.
Stop Taking Aspirin or Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Products
Some medications, herbal preparations, and nutritional supplements can interfere with the anesthesia and surgical process, as they can alter your normal bleeding and clotting as well as increase the risk for problems with wound healing.
- Do not take aspirin or products containing aspirin for 1 week prior to your operation.
- Stop taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory products such as ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin), Naproxen (Aleve), or Cox 2 inhibitors (Celebrex or Mobic), 4 days before your procedure.
- Tell your medical doctor if you are on any rheumatoid arthritis medications, Prednisone or other steroids, hormone replacement therapy, or birth control pills.
- Do not take any ‘natural’ or herbal preparations for 1 week prior to surgery.
- If pain medication is needed you may take Tylenol (acetaminophen) or a pain medication that is prescribed by your doctor.
- Do not resume any of the above medications following your surgery until directed by your doctor.
Smoking Cessation
The use of nicotine products (i.e., cigarettes, cigars, gums, or patches) has been shown to increase risk of complications following surgery. They can inhibit bone and wound healing by decreasing blood flow to the surgical site. They can also increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (a.k.a. blood clots). Please discuss smoking cessation with your doctor.
Pre-Surgical Phone Call
A Registered Nurse from the hospital will call you between 3pm and 7pm the day before your scheduled surgery (or on Friday if scheduled for Monday) to tell you the time and place to arrive at HSS. The nurse will also discuss your specific preparations for surgery, review your diet instructions, verify your escort arrangements, and answer any questions you may have. If you have not heard from us by 7 pm the day before your scheduled procedure, please call us at (212) 606-1710 and tell the staff that you are waiting for your pre-surgical phone call.
Fasting Instructions
No solid foods after midnight. You may drink clear liquids up until 6 hours prior to your surgery (ginger ale, water, apple juice).
Planning for Help at Home After Your Surgery
Arrange for someone to stay with you at home or to be available for at least 48 hours to assist you with daily activities. You should ask Dr. Deland about driving after surgery as some patients may be restricted for 2 weeks and others up to 3 months.
