Before surgery, we may refer you to your primary care provider to complete a pre-operative medical clearance. This examination is to make sure you are healthy and do not have any medical conditions that could interfere with the surgery or the outcomes. Routine tests, such as blood tests, electrocardiogram, and X-rays, are usually performed before any major surgery.

If you do not have a primary care provider, we will schedule you with one at HSS.

If you are told you will need medical clearance, please ensure that this is performed within 30 days before your surgery.

If you are told you will need medical clearance, please have your provider complete the following forms:

• HSS Medical Clearance
• STOP-BANG Score

If you are having a joint replacement, you will be required to be seen with an HSS Primary Care Doctor who will perform all medically necessary tests in order to proceed with surgery. Our team will arrange for the necessary appointments.

If you are under the medical care of a specialist, (i.e. cardiologist, pulmonologist, etc.) you will need to be seen by this physician within 30 days of your surgical procedure and we will require a medical clearance note to be sent to our office in order to proceed with surgery.

Please advise our office if you have any medical devices, implants, stents, etc.

Please discontinue the following medications two weeks prior to surgery to decrease potential post-operative complications, including bleeding and deep vein thrombosis (DVT): hormonal contraceptives, over-the-counter supplements such as fish oil or Omega-3.

Please discontinue the following medications one week prior to surgery to decrease potential post-operative complications, including bleeding and deep vein thrombosis (DVT): non-steroidal anti-inflamatory medications (NSAIDs): including ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin), full dose Aspirin, meloxicam (Mobic), naproxen (Aleve), Relafen, diclofenac (Voltaren), Celebrex, etc.

If you are experiencing pain, you may take Tylenol (generic: acetaminophen) up until the day of surgery. 

It is okay to continue with Iron, calcium, probiotics, Prilosec, Nexium, Senna, Colace, Miralax, Vitamin D, and Vitamin C.

One baby Aspirin 81mg is okay to continue if instructed by your primary care provider.

If you have a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea and are on CPAP/BiPAP, please bring your mask the day of surgery.

Please confirm with the office that we have your correct pharmacy information on file. You may also change this through the myChart app.

Please schedule your first post-operative appointment with our Physician Assistant  for a wound check and dressing change. This should be performed between 5-7 days after surgery. At this visit, we will review your operative images, discuss physical therapy, and talk about next steps.

If possible, please begin to limit your tobacco use prior to surgery. The use of tobacco can increase your risk of developing a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) as well as delay wound healing, increasing risk of infection.

• Depending on the type of surgery you have, we may recommend the use of a post-operative brace and/or an ice machine. You will be fitted for these prior to surgery by our office.
• Please make sure to bring any bracing that you received to the hospital on the day of the surgery.
• You may be in a sling post-operatively. If so, we recommend wearing loose-fitting button-down shirts for the first few days, as they are easier to get on and off. If you do not wish to rent/buy the ice machine, we recommend that you stock your freezer with frozen ice packs, frozen water bottles, or even frozen peas prior to surgery.
• We usually recommend sleeping in a recliner for the first few days after the surgery. Some patients prefer to purchase a “wedge pillow” if they do not have a recliner.

One business day before your surgery, between 2:00pm and 8:00pm, you will receive a call from a hospital nurse notifying you of what time to come in for your surgery. For example, if your surgery is on Monday, you will be called on the Friday before surgery. It is standardly 2 hours before your surgical time If you prefer to call to get this information, please call (212) 606-1710 between 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Unfortunately, we are unable to set the times until the schedule is finalized the day before. The order of the cases will be based on type of surgery, length of surgery, and to account for any pertinent medical conditions.

Your post-operative medications will be called in the day before your surgery. We STRONGLY recommend that you pick these up so that you have them at home. Please let our office know immediately if you have any troubles picking up your medications.

If you received a brace by our office, please bring this with you the day of surgery. Please let the holding area nurse know you have your post-operative brace. You will need to bring this with you into the operating room.

If you have a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea and are on CPAP/BiPAP, please bring your mask the day of surgery.

When you arrive, please check in at Centralized Admitting on the 1st floor of the Hospital for Special Surgery. They will let you know which floor to go to after you check in.

Please allow for extra time to account for traffic and parking.