Pre-operative FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

This packet is designed to go through some common questions before and after surgery to hopefully make your surgical experience as smooth as possible. We understand how much information is given at your appointment and while going through the scheduling process that it is super easy not to remember all of it, if there are questions that you think of that are not on this list please reach out to our office at (210) 878-4116, email Lynch.sports.shoulder@gmail.com, or text our patient phone (210) 350-0767.

Pre-operative FAQ

• What do I wear day of surgery?
  Something loose fitting is best. For shoulders, a baggy shirt or button up t-shirt works well. For knees, shorts or sweatpants work best.

• Do I need to see my primary care physician/cardiologist?
  If you received pre-operative testing orders from our office, yes! Please schedule an appointment with your PCP and your Cardiologist (if applicable). This needs to be done within 30 days of surgery. Preferably two weeks prior to surgery so everything is received in enough time.

• How will I be able to do things while wearing the sling/brace?
  It is good to try and to try and put on your brace/sling prior to surgery and use it to do everyday things so you can get an idea before surgery what it will be like.

• What kind of anesthesia will I be under?
  You will be under general anesthesia, often with a nerve block, unless otherwise specified by Dr. Lynch.

• Where will I have my surgery?
  There are three facilities at which Dr. Lynch does surgery. Please make sure to clarify with our office where will have your surgery.

• When do I need to be at the surgery center?
  We will call you 1-2 days prior to surgery to confirm your arrival time. The arrival time will only come from our office, not the surgery center.

• What medicine should I take before surgery?
  You should continue your normal medications. You will need to stop all blood thinning medications (Ibuprofen, Advil, Aleve, Mobic, Meloxicam, Aspirin, Diclofenac, Coumadin, Lovenox, Eliquis, Duexis, etc.) unless otherwise specified by your primary care doctor or cardiologist.

• When should I stop eating the night before?
  You should stop all food and drink after midnight the night before surgery to include no water the morning of surgery, no chewing tobacco or gum.

• When will my post op medication be prescribed?
  Dr. Lynch will give you a prescription in hand to carry to your pharmacy after surgery. The other medications will be E-prescribed to your pharmacy, unless otherwise discussed with our office.

• I have a pain management doctor; will Dr. Lynch prescribe my post op medications?
  When you see a pain management doctor, you sign a contract with them agreeing not to take pain medications from any other physicians. You should contact your pain management doctor and let them know that you are having surgery so they can provide you the proper medication to aide in your recovery.  Also, your pain specialists knows your ability to tolerate medication better than Dr. Lynch so covering your pain from surgery is better handled by your specialist.

• Will I go home the same night?
  If you have been told that your surgery is an outpatient procedure, then you will go home the same day of surgery. If you were told that your surgery is an inpatient procedure, then you will stay overnight at the hospital and often be discharged the next day.

• Will I need a sling or brace after surgery? If I do, how do I get my brace/sling? 
  You would have been told by Dr. Lynch if you need one.  If you do not remember that being discussed, please contact the office to clarify. 
  If you need one, a company called Matrix should be reaching out to you to set up a time to be fit. If you do not hear from them within a week before surgery, please be sure to call our office so we can make sure this gets arranged.

• An ice machine has been recommended; how do I get the ice machine?
  Matrix, the same company that you get a sling/brace from will contact you in regard to the ice machine. If you do not hear from them within a week before surgery, please let us know so we can make sure that they reach out to you.

• I smoke tobacco, will this affect my surgery?
  Yes, yes, and yes! Smoking tobacco delays how your body’s ability to heal and can greatly impair your recovery process.  It can also increase you risk of infection. If you smoke, please stop as soon as possible to give your body every chance possible to heal.