Surgery Information

It is important to understand this is elective surgery and other treatment options include medicine for pain and inflammation, use of a sling, physical therapy, cortisone injections and restricting your activities. In consultation with your surgeon you have decided that surgery is the appropriate treatment for your condition.

Potential risks include, but are not limited to, problems from anesthesia, infection, surgical bleeding, damage to nerves or blood vessels, blood clot in your arm/leg or lungs, weakness, stiffness, continued or worsening pain, and possibly tearing of the repaired tendon or cartilage which could require the need for further surgery.

Review your insurance coverage, deductible, therapy coverage and co-payments. Although we will get authorization for surgery it is your responsibility to make sure the surgery center, anesthesiologist, surgeon and physician assistant are covered by your insurance. You should also be aware of the cost of your deductible and co-payment.

Our surgery scheduler will give you or mail your surgery information, including your pre-op visit date, within one week of scheduling your surgery. The exact time of the surgery is determined by the surgery center. They will call you 1-2 days before your surgery date to give you your arrival time.

Pre-operative exam/EKG/labs

If you have diabetes, heart or lung disease a physical exam is required to ensure you are well enough to undergo surgery. If you are over 50 or have high blood pressure you will need an EKG/labs.

You must schedule this with your primary doctor or local clinic/hospital. Please let us know if you do not have a prescription for the EKG/labs. The results should be faxed to (510) 704-7765 and you should be given a copy to bring to your preop visit at our office.

Disability

If you have disability insurance check your coverage and bring your disability forms to our office. Make sure your portion is filled out before dropping it off. We are required to mail them directly and cannot return the forms to you.

Time off work/school

Take at least one week off from work and at least 3 days off from school. If your job requires lifting with the operative arm it may be 3-4 months before you return. We will discuss returning to work/school further at your pre-op and post-op visits.

Travel

Stay in the area until your first post-op visit. If you have any problems or complications after surgery it is difficult to treat if you are more than a couple hours away. If you must travel in the first 4 weeks after surgery by airplane we recommend you take an 325mg aspirin daily to help prevent blood clot.

Additional Information

For more detailed information on your particular condition or surgery please choose from the specialties below.
There you will find actual surgery videos our surgeons have performed.