Pre-Procedure Testing

Before meeting your friend or family member for the ride home, your post-operative discharge instructions will be reviewed with you. It includes your surgeon's guidelines on activity level and diet, as well as the date of your next office visit.

Because most patients spend all or some of their recovery time at home, you need to know about home care. Before you go, you and your caregiver may want to ask about:

  • diet
  • driving and other activities
  • medications
  • bandages and dressings
  • bathing and showering
  • pain (what to expect and what to do)
  • stitches, staples, and incision care
  • signs of infection
  • returning to work

Preparing for your surgery

The videos below will step you through the process leading up to your surgery, what to expect the day of your procedure, and the next steps in your recovery.

What to expect during your pre-procedure prep

Please remember:

  • Stop smoking or using any form of tobacco as early as possible
  • Clearing walkways and remove throw rugs
  • Have some meals prepared ahead of time
  • Bring a list of medications you take at home
  • Bathe with antibacterial soap the night before your procedure
  • Sleep in clean sheets and bedding
  • Wear clean clothes to the hospital

What to expect the day of your procedure

Please remember:

  • Wear loose-fitting clothes to the hospital
  • Do not wear deodorant
  • Bring your ID and insurance cards
  • Bring guardianship papers or durable power of attorney forms if necessary
  • Arrange for someone to drive you home

What to expect during your procedure

Please remember:

  • Your support person can wait in their car or our lobby
  • They must stay at the hospital for the duration of your procedure
  • Your support person can see updates on our confidential electronic tracking boards

What to expect after your procedure

Please remember:

  • Ask a member of your care team for help getting from your bed to the restroom
  • Your nurse will show you how to care for your procedure site
  • You’ll be given a “fall risk” wristband for the first 24 hours after your procedure
  • You may meet with a member of our physical therapy team if your procedure involves a total hip or knee replacement

Getting ready to go home

Please remember:

  • You won’t be able to drive for at least 24-hours after your procedure
  • Have someone stay with you to help you for a few days
  • You’ll need to take special care of your procedure site, including changing dressings and keeping your incision site clean
  • Set up a recovery area where you’ll spend most of your time
  • Contact us if you are in extraordinary pain

Managing pain after your procedure

Please remember:

  • It’s completely normal to experience pain as you heal after your procedure
  • You’ll be asked frequently to rate your pain on a scale of 1 to 10
  • McLaren is committed to fighting opioid addiction
  • We’ll teach you strategies to help control your pain without the use of painkillers