We have prepared this information to help ease your fears and to give you a preview of what you can expect before and after surgery. You may be feeling somewhat nervous, but this is a very normal feeling. We would like your surgical day to be as pleasant as possible, and our staff is ready to assist you. We encourage you to ask questions about your care.

If you must cancel your surgery, please notify your surgeon or, if after office hours, you may call the office at (913) 856-8150.
Pre-Admission

The pre-admission process consists of pre-admission testing and evaluation prior to surgery. Your doctor may order appropriate tests that he feels are essential for you to have before your surgery.

Some of the most frequent tests are:

Blood tests and urine specimens – Taken to help check your overall health.
Electrocardiogram (EKG) – A graph of how the heart beats.
Chest X-ray – Taken to help evaluate the condition of your lungs and heart (only if indicated).

Additional testing may be required by the anesthesia department, depending on your health history and age. This will be decided by the pre-admission testing nurse when he/she evaluates your health history.

A letter will be sent to your doctor explaining the plan for surgery and requesting these tests. Be sure to inform your physician if you regularly take aspirin or other blood thinning medications such as Coumadin or Plavix. You may need to stop taking these medications several days before the surgery.
The Day of Surgery

You will be given a time to arrive at the hospital where you will be taken to the Pre-Operative holding area. Once on the unit, you will be asked to change into a hospital gown and to remove items such as jewelry, dentures or partials, glasses and nail polish (unless clear). Give your valuables to your family for safe keeping or ask your nurse for assistance in securing these items.

A staff member will check your temperature, pulse, blood pressure and respiratory rate.

The nurse will ask you pertinent health questions that are necessary for a complete evaluation.

During the process, an anesthesiologist will meet with you to discuss anesthetic options and answer any questions you may have. An operating room nurse and your surgeon will also speak with you prior to going into the operating room. An IV will be started to give you medicine and fluids.
Operating Room

You will be asked to move onto the operating room bed, and be connected to any monitors that are required to ensure your safety during anesthesia and your operation. The doctors, nurses and technicians will be wearing masks, gowns and gloves. The room will be full of equipment that may look strange to you, but it is important for a safe and effective surgery.
After Your Operation

You will be taken to the recovery unit immediately following your operation. The nurses and anesthesia staff will watch you closely. Your blood pressure, pulse, and breathing will be observed. Oxygen may continue to be used and warm blankets will be provided. You may expect to stay in the recovery room approximately 30 mins-1 hour. Once you are ready, you will return to the ambulatory staging unit where your family may visit. You will then be ready to change into your street clothes and leave for home.

You will be given written discharge instructions to follow after you get home and may be given prescription(s) your doctor wants you to take.

Pain Management

It is normal to have some pain and discomfort after your operation, but this is dramatically reduced with ice, elevation and pain medications. Pain and discomfort will decrease during the healing process. Most of the pain and discomfort exists during the first 48 hours after your operation.

A nurse from the surgery center and the doctor will call you separately after your surgery. Please ask about anything you have concerns about or are unsure of.
Postoperative Exercising Your Legs

The following leg exercises will help prevent blood clots and relieve aching legs. This will not interfere with surgical healing.
How to Exercise Your Legs while Resting:

Tighten the muscles in your calves. Relax. Tighten. Relax.
Rotate both ankles, first to the right then to the left. Repeat three times. Relax.
Lift your legs up and down.
Exercise your legs every few hours.

Now that we have performed your surgery, we are very concerned with your prompt and complete recovery. To help you achieve the best results, we urge you to follow these instructions carefully.

Go directly home and keep your feet elevated on the way.

Elevate your foot/feet for several days following surgery. This will reduce any swelling and pain. While sitting or lying down, keep your feet propped up on a chair or pillow, preferably at or above the level of your heart.

Avoid prolonged standing or walking until your doctor advises that you may do so.

Take the pain medication as instructed. The pain medication should be taken on an as needed basis and no more than every 4 hours. Postoperative pain that is not controlled by pain medication should be reported to the doctor.

Apply an ice bag to the top of your foot or ankle (back of the knee if you have a cast) for 20 minutes out of each hour for the first two days after surgery. Do not apply an ice bag overnight.

Do not remove bandage or cast! Keep bandages/cast clean and dry. Your doctor will change the bandage at the first visit after your surgery. Should your bandage become wet, it must be changed as soon as possible by the doctor to reduce the risk of infection. ** If pain increases or does not subside, un-wrap the ACE bandage, wait 30 minutes and re-apply it loosely.

If you do not have a follow-up visit scheduled after surgery, please call the office to set this up. The first visit should be 3-5 days after surgery. Remaining post operative visits will be made by our office.

Wear the postoperative shoe/boot whenever you stand or walk. If it feels more secure to wear the surgical shoe/boot at night you may do so, but it is not necessary.

Certain surgeries require you to be non-weight-bearing to allow proper healing. Follow the instructions from the physical therapist or nurse for the best methods to use crutches, a walker, or wheelchair. Start slowly and take extra precautions to avoid any falls that may compromise your surgery.

If the bandage or cast feels very tight and your toes become blue, tingling, or numb, call the doctor immediately. ** If there is an ACE wrap over the bandage, this should be loosened significantly.

A small amount of bleeding through the bandage is normal. If the bleeding continues and the bandage becomes soaked, call your doctor.

Get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids, and eat well-balanced meals to promote good healing.

If you experience any shortness of breath, chest pain, rapid pulse, anxiety or sweating, call your doctor or Emergency Room immediately.

Please feel free to contact the office at any time should you have any questions or concerns. Please call if there is any excessive pain, swelling, fever, chills, or foul odor from the bandage. For your convenience, the doctor is available 24 hours a day by calling our office.

Wishing you a speedy recovery!