Take advantage of our online paperwork with basic instructions below. If you do not find the paperwork needed for your treatment or if you need post-op instructions, please call us at 405-330-8847.
Patient Information Portal
New Patient Paperwork
All patients should complete this packet before their first visit. You can print and fill out all forms ahead of your appointment and bring them with you, or fax them to us at 405.330.8849.
Pre-Operative Information
PRE-OPERATIVE LAB WORK AND
PRE-OPERATIVE CARE INSTRUCTIONS
- Do not eat anything after midnight the night before your surgery. This includes water, coffee, gum or candy.
- Do not take any medications the morning of your surgery, unless it is your normal dose of blood pressure medication. (Pre-admission testing should give you a list of the meds you can take.) Take this with sips of water. Do not take insulin or diabetic medication. Bring all medication in the original bottles to surgery.
- Stop Coumadin or Plavix 5-7 days prior to surgery. This must be cleared by the prescribing physician. You will need labs (PT/INR) drawn the day before surgery
- Stop aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications 7-10 days prior to surgery.
- Stop any hormone replacement and birth control pills one week before surgery and do not begin using again until four weeks post-op.
- If you see a cardiologist, you will need written clearance for surgery. This is your responsibility to obtain and may be faxed to us at 405.330.8849.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing and expect to be at the surgery center for at least four hours.
- Leave all valuables at home. If you wear contacts, glasses or dentures, bring a case for them. All body jewelry must be removed. This is for your own protection.
- Please notify us if you developed symptoms of a cold, fever or skin rash on the operative site.
- You must have a driver of at least 18 years of age. You may not leave the facility alone or drive yourself home. We recommend having someone stay with you for the first 24 hours after surgery.
- Please contact our office at 405.330.8847 with any questions.
Post-Operative Information
POST-OPERATIVE CARE INSTRUCTIONS
- You will have a post-operative dressing when you leave surgery. This needs to stay clean, dry and intact. Remove your dressing on post-operative day #2 or #3 depending on what your discharge instructions say. Any simple dressing that covers the incision is fine. If you have small sticky strips over an incision leave those in place.
- A light amount of drainage from your post-operative wounds is normal.
- You may shower on post-operative day #3. NO SOAKING, just let soap and water run over operative site. If your arm/shoulder was operated on, let your arm hang straight down in the shower and do not try and reaching motions.
- When discharged, please make sure to take all medications as instructed. To achieve intended pain control, it is important to take the prescribed medication combination as instructed, as they work well together. This will typically be 2-3 medications. Please call our office to request medication refills. You should allow 48 hours for refills, so please plan accordingly.
- Ice is a wonderful supplement and you should ice operative area four times per day, 20 minutes at a time.
- A temperature up to 101 can be normal. Make sure to take deep breaths and cough. If your fever persists, or gets higher, you will need to go to your local ER for evaluation.
- If you have had a shoulder operation, you will need to sleep in a recliner or with the head of your bed elevated. Please continue this until Dr. Nelson and his team instructs you otherwise.
COLD THERAPY MACHINES
Dr. Nelson and his team may have prescribed the use of a cold therapy machine as part of your post-operative care plan. Cold therapy can help reduce pain and swelling that patients typically experience after surgery. These machines are not covered by insurance, but can be purchased through our office for $250. Typically, the Polar Care Kodiak or Slingshot KoolSling is suggested and patients will receive instructions on how to use the machine. We have also included the instructions below for your convenience.
POST-OPERATIVE EXERCISES
Following a physician’s post-operative care plan is vital to a successful outcome. The following exercises help to restore both shoulder strength and function.