Preparing for Surgery
Surgery can feel easier to manage when you know what to expect. This guide explains how to prepare before your procedure, what information our team needs, what to bring to the hospital, and how communication works on the day of surgery.
Your surgical team will give you instructions specific to your procedure. Always follow the instructions given directly by BSNI, the hospital, and your anesthesia team.
Before Surgery Is Scheduled
After surgery has been recommended, our team works through several steps before your procedure date is finalized. These steps help confirm that surgery is appropriate, approved, and planned safely.
- Insurance approval. Our team will submit the required information to your insurance company and work to obtain any needed approvals before surgery.
- Imaging review. We need the imaging studies required for surgical planning. This may include spine MRIs, CT scans, X-rays, or other studies. If we ask you to collect imaging from another facility, please bring the images and reports as instructed.
- Medication list. Please provide a complete list of all medications you take. Include prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements.
- Allergy list. Please provide a complete list of medication allergies and other important allergies.
- Preoperative testing. You may need preoperative testing before surgery. This helps confirm that you are medically ready for anesthesia and the procedure.
Common preoperative testing may include:
- EKG to check heart rhythm
- Chest X-ray, when needed
- Blood work
- Other testing requested by your care team
Please complete testing when instructed so our team has time to review the results before surgery.
Medication Instructions Before Surgery
Your surgical team will tell you which medications to take, adjust, or stop before surgery. Do not stop prescription medications unless your care team tells you to do so.
Some medications require special planning before surgery. These may include:
- Blood thinners
- Plavix
- Coumadin
- High-dose aspirin
- Diabetes medications
- Insulin
- Certain supplements
Your instructions may depend on your medical history, the type of surgery, and the recommendations from anesthesia or your prescribing doctor.
Follow the medication instructions given directly to you by BSNI, the hospital, and your anesthesia team. If you are unsure whether to take a medication, call the office before surgery.
Tell Us About Any Health Changes
Most spine surgeries are elective procedures. That means they are planned in advance and are not usually emergencies. Because of that, we want you to be as healthy as possible before surgery.
Please contact us before surgery if you develop any new health concern, including:
- Cold or flu symptoms
- Fever
- New cough
- Allergies or breathing issues that are worse than usual
- Cuts, scrapes, wounds, or skin infections
- Bug bites near the surgical area
- Recent fall or injury
- New weakness, numbness, or worsening symptoms
- Any major change in your health
Some issues may not affect your surgery. Others may need to be reviewed before it is safe to proceed.
The Day Before Surgery
The day before surgery, you will receive a call with your arrival time and instructions for the next day. Surgery times are usually finalized one day before the procedure because hospital and operating room schedules can change.
You may be told not to eat or drink after midnight. In many cases, patients can take approved medications the morning of surgery with a small sip of water. Follow the instructions given to you by the hospital, anesthesia team, and BSNI.
Do not assume standard instructions apply to you. Your instructions may be different based on your procedure, medications, medical history, or anesthesia plan.
What to Bring to the Hospital
Even if we expect you to go home the same day, bring what you would need for an overnight stay. Sometimes patients stay overnight for safety, comfort, or monitoring.
Please bring:
- Photo ID
- Insurance card
- Complete medication list
- Complete allergy list
- Imaging studies if we asked you to bring them
- Brace, if you were given one or told to use one
- Comfortable clothing
- Loose clothing that is easy to put on and remove
- Glasses, hearing aids, or other personal medical items
- Phone charger
- Any paperwork the hospital or BSNI asked you to complete
Wear comfortable, loose clothing such as sweatpants, a T-shirt, or clothing that is easy to remove. Avoid jewelry and valuables unless the hospital specifically tells you otherwise.
What Happens on Surgery Day
When you arrive, the hospital team will check you in and prepare you for surgery. You will meet members of the surgical and anesthesia teams before the procedure.
Before surgery, we will review the plan, answer last-minute questions, and confirm the procedure.
After surgery, you will go to the recovery area while the anesthesia wears off and the hospital team monitors you.
Understanding Surgery Timing
The time your family waits is usually longer than the procedure itself.
Surgery timing includes more than the operation. It also includes:
- Checking in
- Preoperative preparation
- Anesthesia
- Positioning in the operating room
- The procedure itself
- Waking up from anesthesia
- Recovery room monitoring
For example, a procedure that takes 1 to 1.5 hours may involve several hours total at the hospital because of preparation and recovery time.
Family members should know that a long wait does not necessarily mean something is wrong. It is normal for the full process to take longer than the procedure time alone.
Communication With Family
Before surgery, we will confirm who you would like us to contact after the procedure.
Family members are usually not allowed in the recovery room. Because of this, they may wait longer than expected before seeing you.
When appropriate, the surgeon or care team will contact your chosen family member after surgery to provide an update.
For longer procedures, some family members may prefer to wait at home or nearby rather than remain at the hospital the entire time. Our team can discuss what makes sense based on the expected timing of your surgery.
Learn More About Your Procedure
This guide explains how to prepare for surgery in general. Each procedure is different.
Visit our procedure guides to learn more about your specific operation, including why it is performed, what happens during the procedure, recovery expectations, and related conditions.
This page is for general education only. Your care team may give you instructions that are different from what appears here. Always follow the instructions provided directly by BSNI, the hospital, and your anesthesia team. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.