Preparing for Surgery
If surgery is recommended, you will meet with or receive a phone call from our clinical staff. They will help you schedule a date and give/send you a packet of information to help you prepare for your surgery. Please be sure to review this information carefully and if you have any questions, call 616-459-3900.
Before Your Surgery
You may need to complete the following items within 30 days of your surgery.
- A presurgical medical examination by your primary care physician. An additional appointment with your cardiologist or specialist may also be necessary before your surgery.
- Blood work, an EKG, and possibly a nasal swab.
If you are taking any aspirin products, anti-inflammatory medication, or any other medications that increase your risk of bleeding, you will need to stop taking these before your surgery to minimize bleeding. Please check with your physician’s clinical staff for a list of medications that need to be stopped before surgery.
Smoking is not advised because it may increase your risk of complications after surgery. For some surgeries and some of our surgeons, it is a requirement that you are nicotine free for 4–6 weeks before surgery and lab work will be ordered to confirm this.
If you are having a joint replacement or spine surgery, you may be required to attend an education class before the date of surgery to learn more about your surgery and your recovery.
The hospital or surgery center will notify you of your time for surgery and your arrival time.
Notify the office immediately if you develop a fever or infection. Surgery will not be performed if you are sick or have an active infection.
If you need to cancel your surgery for any reason, please call the office as soon as possible at 616-459-3900 and ask for your physician’s clinical staff.
If you are having outpatient surgery, arrange for a responsible adult to accompany you to the hospital or surgery center, remain with you, and drive you home following your surgery. You will not be allowed to drive home. It is recommended that someone stay with you for the first 24 hours following your surgery.
Day of Surgery
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before or the day of your surgery. This includes candy, gum, mints, food, and liquids. You may brush your teeth, but do not swallow any water or toothpaste.
Bathe or shower the night before or the morning of your surgery to decrease the chance of infection.
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to the hospital or surgery center.
Leave all jewelry and valuables at home.
The hospital or surgery center will have already notified you a few days before your surgery of your arrival time and what time your surgery is scheduled. If you are unsure of your arrival time for surgery, please call the surgical facility where you are having surgery (viewable at the bottom of this page).
When you arrive at the hospital or surgery center the day of your surgery, the staff will prepare you for surgery. The anesthesiologist and your physician will talk to you before the surgery and answer any questions you may have. Your physician will see you again after the surgery in the recovery room.
You will need to sign a consent for your surgery. Minors (under 18) must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who will be responsible for signing this consent.
After Surgery
Things to watch for and call our office immediately if they should develop at 616-459-3900:
Signs and Symptoms of Infection:
- A temperature greater than 100.5°
- Redness or heat along your incision
- Drainage or a foul odor from your incision
Signs and Symptoms of a Blood Clot:
- The symptoms of a blood clot may feel similar to a pulled muscle or a “charley horse” in your calf, but the difference is that your leg may be swollen, slightly discolored, and warm. If you experience these symptoms, call our office immediately at 616-459-3900.
- Blood clots can travel to the lung(s) causing a pulmonary embolism (PE), which can be life-threatening. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call 911 immediately.
- Sudden shortness of breath
- Chest pain – sharp, stabbing pain that may become worse with taking a deep breath
- Rapid heart rate
- Unexplained cough that may have blood in the sputum
| NORMAL SYMPTOMS: | YOU SHOULD: | |
| • Pain controlled with medication | • Continue current dosage and wean from narcotics | |
| • Increased swelling with activity | • Elevate, rest, and ice your surgical extremity | |
| • Stiffness without activity | • Perform your home exercises as prescribed |
| IF YOU NOTICE THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR OAM PROVIDER: | |
| • Drainage from your incision | |
| • Redness or heat around your incision | |
| • A temperature greater than 100.5 degrees | |
| • Uncontrolled swelling | |
| • Calf pain | |
| • Pain to the surgical extremity that is not controlled with pain medications | |
| • A fall or injury to your surgical extremity | |
| • New or unexplained bruising |
| IF YOU NOTICE THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS YOU SHOULD REPORT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM: | |
| • Chest pain | |
| • Shortness of breath at rest | |
| • Extreme confusion |
Equipment Needs Following Surgery
These are a few of the companies that provide hospital beds, knee scooters, wheelchairs, walkers, etc. Remember to check with your insurance company regarding coverage for any of these items.
- OAM DME
- Amazon
- Airway Oxygen
- CareLinc: Medical Equipment Store
- Kay Pharmacy
- Pulmonary Home Care
- Wright & Filippis
Surgical Site Locations and Phone Numbers
OAM Surgery Center at MidTowne
555 Midtowne St NE, Suite 200, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616-552-5000
Mercy Health St. Mary’s Hospital
200 Jefferson Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616-685-5000
Metro Health Hospital
5900 Byron Center Ave SW, Wyoming, MI 49519
616-252-7200
Southwest Surgical Center
2373 64th St SW, Byron Center, MI 49315
616-685-3975
Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital
1840 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
616-774-7444
Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital
100 Michigan St NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503
616-391-1774
Spectrum Health Lake Drive Surgery Center
4069 Lake Drive SE Suite #210, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
616-285-1120
Spectrum Health United Hospital
615 South Bower St, Greenville, MI 48838
616-754-4691
Walker Surgery Center
3300 Walker View Dr, Walker, MI 49544
616-588-6570