Proper preparation for spine surgery will help you recover faster. Here’s a two-week guide for how to get ready.

Two Weeks Before Surgery

• Read all the information Norton Leatherman Spine gave you or mailed to you.
• Schedule pre-admission testing. You will have several tests that your surgeon requires, such as lab work, electrocardiogram (EKG) or chest X-ray. You will meet with a nurse to give your medical history and get instructions for the day of surgery. Bring a complete list of your medicines as well as the names and phone numbers for all your doctors and pharmacies.
• If you take diet pills or arthritis/anti-inflammatory medications, stop taking them two weeks before surgery.
• If you take any supplements, vitamins, herbs or fish oil, stop taking them 10 days before surgery.
• If you take aspirin or blood thinners, your surgeon will want you to stop taking these medicines before your surgery. You must talk to the doctor who prescribes them and ask that doctor about stopping. If your prescribing doctor says you cannot stop taking aspirin or blood thinner, you must call Norton Leatherman Spine right away.
• Eating a well-balanced diet is important all the time but especially important before any surgery. We want you to be in the best health possible before surgery.
• Stop smoking. Your lungs must be in their best possible shape. If you are having a fusion, smoking will interfere with the fusion and could cause the procedure not to work. It is very important to let your surgeon know if you smoke.
• If there is a chance you may go to a skilled nursing facility before going home, begin looking at facilities that are convenient to you and choose one. We all go through times when we need help and support. Having surgery is one of those times. It is important to have a family member, friend or group of people to help with your care, emotional support and transportation before and after surgery. You should find people who help you prepare for surgery and help you during your recovery.

One Week Before Surgery

• Walk around your home and make sure the things you need on a daily basis will be easy to reach after surgery. You will not be allowed to bend and lift heavy things soon after surgery. Remove clutter and tripping hazards. Move the things you use a lot to an easy-to-reach place. Things at waist level are easiest to reach.
• Review your instructions from pre-admission testing. Call (502) 629-7709 to speak to a nurse if you have any questions.
• If you take erectile disfunction medicines like Viagra, Cialis or Levitra, you must stop them two days before surgery or your surgery will be canceled.
• If you have diabetes and take insulin at night, ask the doctor who prescribes your insulin about the proper dose the day before surgery.
• If you have a living will, set a copy aside to bring to the hospital on the day of surgery.
• Clean your house and do the laundry.
• Put night lights in the bathrooms and hallways.
• Stock up on groceries. Cook ahead of time and freeze some items that can be reheated easily.
• Pack your bag for surgery day. Do not bring jewelry or valuables. The shoes you bring should have a rubber sole so you will not slip and fall when walking after surgery.

The Night Before Surgery

• Shower with the chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) antibacterial soap you were given. If you did not receive a bottle of CHG soap during pre-admission testing or you are allergic to it, you may use Dial soap.
• Sleep on clean sheets and in clean pajamas.
• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight.
• Call your surgeon if you have had any changes in your health, including fever, a skin sore, vomiting, diarrhea, infection, cough, cold, wheezing, chest pain or shortness of breath. Your surgery could be canceled if you don’t notify Norton Leatherman Spine of any new issues.

About Norton Leatherman Spine

Norton Leatherman Spine is a combined team of orthopedic spine surgeons, neurosurgeons from Norton Neuroscience Institute and pain management specialists who provide care for adults and children from Louisville and Southern Indiana, as well as from across the region, nation and world.

• The multidisciplinary team incorporates expertise from a variety of specialties to offer a comprehensive array of treatment options that include minimally invasive and nonsurgical therapies.
• Our team approach to the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of spine conditions works cooperatively with primary care physicians and other specialists to develop a treatment plan as unique as each individual.
• Because you may not need surgery, you may work with our pain management team, physical therapy specialists and others who can create a care plan with the right types of treatments for you.
• If you need surgery, you’re in experienced hands. Norton Leatherman Spine physicians perform more than 4,000 surgeries a year.
• Our team has more than 45 specialists at nearly 20 offices across Louisville and Southern Indiana. Many offer same-day appointments and Saturday hours, with no referral needed
• Our specialists are internationally recognized leaders in clinical research of spinal disease, injury and deformity, and have served in senior positions in the Scoliosis Research Society, the most prestigious organization for scoliosis surgeons around the world.
• Norton Healthcare is the first health system in the nation to be recognized as an Advanced Orthopedic & Spine Center of Excellence by DNV.
• We offer minimally invasive and robotic-assisted procedures that carry less risk and can speed your recovery.
• We use the EOS Imaging system, which collects high-resolution images while exposing the patient to 50% to 85% less radiation than traditional X-rays and 95% less than basic CT scans. The system is especially beneficial to scoliosis patients who often need repeated imaging to monitor their progress.
• Use MyNortonChart to communicate with your provider, manage appointments, refill prescriptions and more, anytime from a mobile device or computer