PlanProcedure
PRIOR TO YOUR PROCEDURE
• If your insurance plan requires Prior Authorization, please allow 5-7 business days for insurance approval process. Some insurance carriers may take up to 30 days for clinical review.
• Your care is our top priority. We will contact you to schedule your procedure as soon as we have obtained the required approval.
• IF YOU ARE TAKING BLOOD THINNERS: DO NOT STOP BLOOD THINNERS WITHOUT PERMISSION! You may be putting yourself at risk of a heart attack, stroke, blood clots or related complications. We will obtain a clearance note from your Primary Care doctor or Cardiologist and call you with specific instructions about these medications.
THE DAY BEFORE PROCEDURE
• Expect a text message from our Scheduling Department confirming your appointment (assuming you have opted for text notifications).
• Expect a phone call (if you have opted out of text notifications) with details about your procedure from our Scheduling Department, as well as from the facility where procedure will be performed.
• Take nothing by mouth after midnight the night before your procedure.
• You should not be on blood thinners prior to the procedure, unless specified by the Surgical Scheduling Department ahead of time.
THE DAY BEFORE PROCEDURE
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- Take your morning prescription medication(s) with a small sip of water.
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- DO NOT MISS YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATION.
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- You MUST have a designated driver to take you home.
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- Please arrive at the center ONE hour prior to your scheduled procedure time (see map).
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- Expect to be at the facility for 1-1.5 hour. Your ride or family member is NOT required to stay with you. They can return later and pick you up at the time of your discharge.
AFTER YOUR PROCEDURE
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- These are general instructions for most procedures performed by our doctors. Please refer to the post-procedural directions given by the facility at the time of your discharge for more specific details.
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- Do not take a bath, swim, or sit in a hot tub. Showers are acceptable.
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- Do not drive, operate heavy machinery or power tools.
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- o not drink alcoholic beverages.
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- Do not make important legal decisions as your judgement may be impaired.
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- You may experience some temporary numbness, weakness, or tenderness in the arms/ legs. This is normal after the procedure and usually occurs due to the anesthetic medications. It should improve within a few hours.
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- You may have tenderness at the injection site. Apply ice to the area for 20 minutes 3-4 times per day and rest. Tylenol (Acetaminophen), Advil (Ibuprofen) or Aleve (Naprosyn) can be used to relieve any minor discomfort.
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- You may develop some local swelling or redness at the site of the injection. If there are raised, red, significantly tender areas, please call our office.
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- If steroid or cortisone was used during your procedure, it may take a few days for this medication to take effect.
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- Sometimes your pain may increase for 1-2 days before it starts to improve.
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- Steroids or cortisone, if used, may cause few temporary adverse reactions:
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- Flushing or redness of the face (Benadryl may help)
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- Sleeplessness (Benadryl may help)
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- Temporary rise in your blood pressure or blood sugar
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- Menstrual irregularities (women of childbearing age)
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- Steroids or cortisone, if used, may cause few temporary adverse reactions:
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- Contact our office if any of the following occurs:
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- Fevers with or without chills
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- Severe increase in pain
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- Allergic reaction
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- If “something does not feel right”
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- Contact our office if any of the following occurs:
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- A follow up appointment will be planned one to two weeks after your procedure.
