Issue link: https://blog.providence.org/i/1256336
61 Protect yourself from infection! Refrain from spending time with family members or children who are sick. Notify your surgeon's office right away if you think you may have an infection of any kind. Follow all instructions for showering prior to surgery and after. If you smoke, you should quit smoking and all nicotine products 4 weeks prior and 6 weeks following your surgery to allow for optimal healing. WILL I NEED TO BE S C REENED FOR INFECT IONS BEF ORE T H E SURGERY ? It is of great importance to keep you infection free, there are many different steps that might be made to keep you infection free. Such steps may include: Nasal swab testing for MRSA and MSSA Special soaps used or special showering instructions for the days leading up to your surgery Use of an ointment in your nose for a few days leading up to your surgery or a special ointment used day of surgery Antibiotics preoperatively WHAT IF I'M NOT FEE L ING WEL L BEF ORE MY S URGE RY ? It is very important to call your surgeon's office immediately if you have any new illness or open wounds. This is an elective surgery and can be rescheduled if you are not fit for surgery. QUEST IONS REGA RDING THE TOTAL J OINT SURG ERY HOW L ONG, AND WH ERE, WILL MY SCA R BE ? Surgical scars will vary in length but most surgeons attempt to keep the incision as short as possible. The incision is closed with sutures or staples. WILL I NEED TO DONA T E BLOOD BEF ORE MY SU RGE RY ? Providence is a leader in blood conservation and management. The need for transfusion have dropped greatly. This will vary by patient, please discuss with your surgeon if you have any concerns. WILL T HE SURGE RY BE PAINFUL ? Pain is common after surgery and into your outpatient rehabilitation, we will try to keep you as comfortable as possible with the appropriate medication and numerous interventions such as ice and movement. It is very important to let your care team know if the pain that you are experiencing is not controlled at a tolerable level. Your care team will do everything possible to relieve pain and keep you safe. Do not expect to be totally pain-free, your caregivers will teach