Blood thinners and aspirin
Ask your physician when or whether to stop blood thinners, aspirin, or other medications that affect bleeding. Do not stop these medications on your own.
Patient Resources
Prepare for Your Surgery or Procedure
Your surgical team and surgery center will provide instructions specific to your procedure. Review those instructions carefully and contact the appropriate office if anything is unclear.
Watch for Your Arrival Instructions
Vision Park Surgery Center will contact you during the week of your procedure with your arrival time and final preparation instructions.
Make sure spineTECH and the surgery center have a current cell or home phone number where you can be reached promptly.
Before Your Procedure
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Keep your contact information current
Confirm that the office and surgery center have the correct phone number for you and your designated contact.
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Prepare your medication list
Have a complete list of all prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, supplements, and dosages available for the pre-operative nurse.
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Review your medical history
Be prepared to review your medical conditions, prior surgeries, allergies, and relevant health history with the pre-operative team.
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Arrange a designated driver
You must have a responsible adult age 18 or older available to drive you home after the procedure.
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Complete required testing
Complete any ordered laboratory testing, EKG, chest X-ray, medical clearance, or other pre-operative evaluation as soon as possible.
Medication Instructions
Do not stop, skip, or change prescription medications unless your physician, prescribing provider, surgery center, or anesthesia team tells you to do so.
This is especially important for blood thinners and diabetes medications.
Diabetes and weight-loss medications
Tell your surgical and anesthesia teams if you use diabetes or weight-loss medication, including GLP-1 medicines. You will receive instructions based on the specific medication, dose schedule, procedure, symptoms, and anesthesia plan.
Examples include Trulicity, Bydureon, Byetta, Saxenda, Victoza, Adlyxin, semaglutide products, and other diabetes or weight-loss medications.
Do not assume that every medication must be stopped for the same length of time.
Other medications and supplements
Ask whether vitamins, herbal supplements, anti-inflammatory medications, or other over-the-counter products should be held before the procedure.
Eating and Drinking Before Your Procedure
Follow the fasting instructions provided by the surgery center or anesthesia team. These instructions will tell you when to stop solid food, liquids, gum, candy, lozenges, water, and ice chips.
Do not eat or drink after the time you were given. Not following the fasting instructions may cause the procedure to be delayed or canceled.
Labs, EKG, Imaging, and Medical Clearance
Some patients may need laboratory testing, an EKG, chest imaging, medical clearance, or other testing before surgery.
Patients scheduled for surgery with Dr. Erwin Lo or Dr. Arshad Khan should confirm with spineTECH whether pre-operative orders are required.
spineTECH — The Woodlands–Shenandoah(936) 647-0202
Complete requested testing as soon as possible so results can be reviewed before the procedure.
Sending Test Results
Requested pre-operative results may be faxed to:
Fax: (833) 263-8522
Confirm with the ordering office that all required results have been received before the procedure.
The Day Before Your Procedure
- Confirm the arrival time and surgery-center location
- Confirm your designated driver
- Follow medication instructions
- Follow eating and drinking restrictions
- Gather identification and insurance information
- Bring any requested forms or testing documentation
- Remove jewelry or valuables if instructed
- Contact the office if you are ill or develop new symptoms
Contact the Office Before Your Procedure If
- You have not received your arrival time or instructions
- You are unsure when to stop eating or drinking
- You do not know whether to take a medication
- You cannot arrange an adult driver
- Required testing has not been completed
- You develop fever, illness, infection, new symptoms, or a significant change in health
- Your contact or insurance information has changed
Do not wait until the day of the procedure to resolve medication, testing, or transportation questions.
Questions Before Your Procedure?
Contact spineTECH or the surgery center if you are unsure about medications, fasting, testing, transportation, arrival instructions, or another preparation requirement.
spineTECH — The Woodlands–Shenandoah: (936) 647-0202