FAQ'S

The Physicians Centre CHI St. Josephs College Station Hospital CHI St. Joesphs Bryan Hospital

Typically, surgeries are on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

Please arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery. You will not be allowed to leave the hospital without a driver. Please do not drive until you have had your first post-operative appointment (typically 7-14 days after surgery). Additonally, please do not drive while taking narcotic medications as they can cause mental impairment.

Please sponge bathe or use a retractable shower head until your 1st post operative appointment, typically 7-14 days after surgery. DO NOT get the bandage or surrounding areas wet. Please do not get in a bathtub, hottub, lake, or pool until at least six (6) weeks after surgery.

When you leave the hospital, there will be a large bandage over your surgical site. Please leave this bandage on until it is removed at your 1st post operative visit. At this visit, Dr. Gundanna will remove the bandage and check the incision. For two (2) weeks after the bandage is removed, cover the incision with paper tape to keep any dirt or debris out of the incision. We recommend 1" paper tape for cervical (neck) surgeries and 2" paper tape for all other surgeries.

Please stop taking blood thinners 7 days before your surgery. Please consult your primary care doctor, cardiologist, or Dr. Gundanna before stopping your medication. Ex. Plavix, Lovenox, Coumadin 81 mg Baby Asprin is okay to continue.

Please stop taking all anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS) 7 days before your surgery. Please consult your primary care doctor or Dr. Gundanna before stopping your medication. Ex. Ibuprofen, Meloxicam, Celebrex, Motrin, Naprosyn, Toradol, Etc. *If you have a cervical or lumbar fusion surgery, try not to take these medications for three (3) months after surgery*

Please stop all anti-osteporosis medications at least one dose before surgery.* For example, if you take the medication weekly, do not take it the week before surgery. Ex. Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva, Reclast, Forteo, Estiva, etc. *If you have a lumbar or cervical fusion procedure, Dr. Gundanna will instruct you on how to take these medications after surgery.*

It is important that you get good nutrition after surgery. Taking vitamins such as a multivitamin, iron, vitamin D, and calcium after surgery will be good for your recovery. Please consult Dr. Gundanna or your primary care doctor if you have any questions.

Immunosuppressant medications are complex. Generally, it is not recommended that surgical patients (especially fusion patients) take immunosuppressant medication just prior to surgery. Please discuss these medications with Dr. Gundanna.