Surgery - Pre-Operative Information

Dear Patient,

Arrangements have been made for you to be admitted to The Hospital for Special Surrgery. The Hospital for Special Surgery is located at 535 East 70th Street, between York Avenue and the FDR drive (see Directions). You will receive a telephone call from the hospital the night before surgery with the time of admission and the time of surgery.

You will receive very specific pre-operative instructions from the nurses the day before your scheduled surgery. Due to emergencies and changes in the operating room, the surgical time may be delayed or advanced. Please be prepared to be at the hospital all day if necessary. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery, this includes gums, water and candy.

If you are currently taking any medications, please contact your medical doctor before discontinuing any medications. DO NOT take any aspirin or aspirin products (Nuprin, Aleeve, Advil, Motrin, Ibuprofen for at least ten days before surgery.

To assure optimal pre-operative medical assessment, and post-operative care and management pre-admission testing is required prior to your surgery. Pre-admission testing consists of an electrocardiogram, chest x-rays, routine blood work and urinalysis. All patients over the age of fifty, and patients of all ages who have high-risk conditions are required to have pre-operative medical clearance by one of our medical doctors. This physician will not only clear you for surgery, but also care for you throughout the post-operative period until you are discharged from the Hospital for Special Surrgery.

In order to avoid any confusion concerning financial matters we ask that you consult with your insurance company as soon as possible. Most insurance companies require pre-certification prior to the rendering of any services, such as surgery, physical therapy and braces. Many insurance companies also require a second opinion prior to surgery. Please note that you will not be properly reimbursed if a required second opinion or pre-certification is not obtained. In addition to your surgeon’s bill you will also receive bills from the hospital, anesthesiologist and the pathologist. We will be glad to assist you and any way we can.

If you have any questions or need our assistance in any way, please do not hesitate to call us.