General Preoperative Instructions

General Surgical Instructions

Please read each page of these instructions thoroughly and keep them for reference following surgery.

• It is required that patients pre-register with the hospital at least 72 hours prior to surgery.

_____            The Methodist Hospital, Neurosensory Center
6501 Fannin Street, 7th floor, Jones Tower
Please call 713-441-5035 to set up preoperative interview and testing.
This preoperative visit will be at the Methodist Outpatient Center Floor 22;
6445 Main Street. (Next to Smith Tower and accessible by the 2nd floor crosswalk).

Alford ENT and Facial Plastic Surgery
Your surgery is scheduled to begin at:_______________ on:_______________________

If surgery is scheduled at a hospital, please report 2-hours prior to your scheduled surgery time.

• During the two-week period preceding and for two weeks following your surgery:

DO NOT TAKE ANY ASPIRIN OR PRODUCTS CONTAINING NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY INGREDIENTS, e.g., Advil™, Motrin™, Bufferin™, etc.  Please note that many over-the-counter medications contain aspirin and/or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory ingredients.  Consult the attached sheet for a comprehensive list of products to be avoided.  If you regularly take aspirin, please inform Dr. Alford. For management of headaches and pain during this four-week period, you may use Tylenol™ and Tylenol Extra Strength™.

 

• Your preoperative visit is scheduled at:__________­­_____on:_______________________

• Your postoperative visit is scheduled at:­_______________on:_______________________

Please call the office to schedule your postoperative visit 713-532-3223.

• Preoperative instructions:
  • DO NOT TAKE ANY PRODUCTS CONTAINING ASPIRIN OR ASPIRIN-LIKE SUBSTANCES!
  • Please notify Dr. Alford or his nurse if you develop any symptoms such as a cold, sore throat, fever, or cough prior to your surgery.
• The night before surgery:
  • DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING AFTER MIDNIGHT THE NIGHT BEFORE YOUR SURGERY!
  • Please leave valuables such as watches, jewelry, credit cards, etc. at home.
• The morning of surgery:
  • DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING! This includes coffee, tea, or liquids of any kind. You may brush your teeth and use mouthwash, if you like, but do not swallow any of the liquid.
  • You may bathe or shower as usual but do not apply any makeup, hairspray, or other grooming products to your skin or hair.
  • Dress in loose-fitting, comfortable clothing and shoes.  Avoid pullover shirts.
  • Be sure to arrive at the facility in which your procedure is to be performed on time, generally, two hours before the scheduled time of your surgery. If you realize that you are going to be late the day of surgery, please inform the facility immediately.
  • Bring any CT scan results, X-rays or photos to the hospital, if you have not already given them to Dr. Alford or his nurse. These are required for most surgeries and failure to have them may result in cancellation of your surgery. Patients with Instatrak CT scans MUST have their headset that used when the scan was done.

• Immediately following surgery:
  • Following surgery, you will be taken to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) where highly skilled nurses will care for you during the first stage of your recovery.  You can expect to stay in the PACU for 1-2 hours*.  You will then be transported to the Outpatient Day Surgery Center (ODC).  Your stay in the ODC will last from 2-4 hours and you will not be released until the nurses and physicians feel that you are stable for discharge.

*If you are scheduled for inpatient surgery, you will leave the PACU and be taken to your hospital room.

• Family members and friends should wait in the assigned surgery waiting area near the operating room where the procedure is being performed.  For procedures lasting more than 2 hours, the operating room nurses will provide you with regular updates as to the progress of the surgery and will answer questions to the best of their ability.

• After surgery and discharge:
  
  • REMEMBER, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A BAD QUESTION.

If you have a question or concern, first refer to the printed Postoperative Instructions Sheet given to you by our office.  If the answer is not there or you still have a concern or question, do not hesitate to call our office at:  713-532-3223.

Call the office if any of the following conditions should develop:

§  Persistent fever above 101.5o that is unresponsive to Tylenol™

§  Redness of the wound

§  Bleeding or drainage from the wound

§  Pain that is not relieved by medication prescribed by Dr. Alford

• Take all of your medications, as instructed.  Continue to take your antibiotics until they are all gone, even if you feel well.  Regarding medications for pain – take this medication as scheduled for the first 24 hours following surgery.  Beginning the 2nd or 3rd day, you will experience less and less discomfort and you can reduce the amount of pain medication you take, accordingly. Usually, by the 5th day, Extra Strength Tylenol™ is adequate for pain relief.  Again, do not take aspirin, Advil™, Motrin™, Bufferin™, Ibuprofen™ or products on the attached list for at least 10 days following your surgery.

If you have any questions or problems, please call Eugene Alford, M.D at 713-532-3223.

 

 

 

***  General Preoperative Checklist  ***

Before Surgery:

_____    Pre-register with the hospital at least 72 hours prior to surgery.

_____    Do not take any aspirin and/or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory products for two weeks prior to your surgery. (See attached product list)

_____    Come to your preoperative office visit:_______________________________________

_____    Bring any CT scan results, X-rays and photos relating to your surgery to Dr. Alford.

_____    Schedule your postoperative office visit.

_____    Do not eat or drink ANYTHING after midnight the night before your surgery.

Day of Surgery:

_____    DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING! (After midnight the night before your surgery.)

_____    DO NOT TAKE YOUR CUSTOMARY MORNING MEDICATIONS.

_____    Bring your customary morning medications to the hospital the morning of your surgery.

_____    If you have not already done so, bring any pertinent CT scan results, X-rays and photos to the hospital.

_____    Arrive at the hospital 2-hours before your scheduled surgery time, unless instructed otherwise.

After Surgery and Discharge from the Hospital:

_____    Take all of your medications as instructed.  Finish any antibiotic you have been prescribed.

_____    Come to your postoperative office visit:______________________________

_____    Do not take any aspirin and/or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory products for two weeks following your surgery.

If you have any questions or problems, please call Eugene Alford, M.D. or Linda Oberrender, R.N. at 713-532-3223.