Issue link: https://blog.providence.org/i/1256336
16 5. Obtain a prescription for your walker from your surgeon/physician and purchase the walker prior to surgery. Bring your walker with you to the joint class and /or hospital so the physical therapist can adjust it for your use at home. 6. Smoking Cessation Quit smoking/ Nicotine use at least 4-6 weeks before surgery. Smoking and nicotine delay healing and increase your risk for lung complications and blood clots. Help is available to stop smoking; please ask your surgeons office for recommendations. 7. Infection Prevention Wash your hands frequently. Take excellent care of your skin. If you get deep scratches, cuts or rashes, contact your surgeon's office. Protect yourself from infection! Notify your surgeon's office right away if you think you may have an infection of any kind – i.e. bladder, lung, sinus, tooth, abscess, skin sores, etc. Follow all instructions for showering prior to surgery and after. TIMELINE AND TIPS - 2 TO 4 WEEKS BEF ORE YOUR SURGE RY CHE CKL IST: Plan a preoperative visit to your surgeon. If you are already being followed by a pain management specialist for a pre-existing condition, please talk with your surgeon or attending physician. Your primary care provider or pain provider will manage your pain contracts. Stop taking all supplements, vitamins, and herbal remedies 14 days prior to surgery (unless directed by your surgeon). We want to avoid any interactions with anesthesia or the medications that may be given during your hospital stay.( See Appendix) Remove acrylic/ gel/ dip nails from hands and feet. If you use a CPAP machine at home, be consistent with compliance prior to surgery. Specific instructions for other medication and blood thinners should come from your surgeon or prescribing provider. Failure to discontinue some medications as instructed may result in rescheduling your surgery. If you have a cardiac stent, do not stop taking your medications to prevent clots without first talking to the provider who put in the stent. Make sure you have a plan to restart the medication also. Confirm your enrollment in our Total Joint Preoperative Class. For many surgeons, this is a mandatory class unless you have had a previous total joint surgery at Providence in the last 6 - 12 months.