What to Expect Before Surgery

It is normal to have fears and concerns before joint replacement surgery. Organizing your home for your return, packing for your stay in the hospital and organizing your personal information will help you feel prepared and comfortable prior to your surgery.

It is also normal to feel restless the night before surgery. If you need to take a mild sedative to get to sleep, that's fine. Be sure to take all of your normal medications unless the doctor has instructed you not to take certain medications.

Your doctor has probably asked you to stop taking "blood thinning" medications (such as coumadin, aspirin, ibuprofen and other anti- inflammatory medications) which may cause a greater blood loss. Be sure to ask your doctor about any medications you normally take.

You can eat about anything you wish the night before surgery. You can eat solid food until midnight. After midnight, you should not eat or drink anything unless your doctor has told you otherwise. This means nothing - not coffee, not water, not ice chips.

Make sure you have everything you'll need at the hospital, that all of your questions are answered and that you have your advanced directives available if you wish.