Pre-Surgery Phase — Planning for Surgery
The decision to undergo surgery should not be made lightly. Talk to your doctor, seek second opinions and reach out to family and friends with first-hand experience. Make sure you know all the risks, benefits and other options.
During a preoperative (pre-op) assessment, your care team will do medical evaluations, blood tests, imaging scans and other diagnostic tests to help identify any pre-existing factors that may impact the surgical procedure or anesthesia.
Once your surgery is scheduled, start preparing your home, such as figuring out caregiver arrangements, meals and scheduling time off from work.
Be sure to follow all instructions from your doctor, including guidance about which medicines you should or should not take before surgery and hygiene instructions for properly cleaning your body before surgery.
Resources
Kaiser Permanente Total Joint Replacement Surgical Center
The Total Joint Replacement Surgical Center at the San Leandro Medical Center brings together key health care resources, a dedicated staff and state-of-the-art technology — all under one roof — so you can return to your healthiest self as quickly as possible.
The surgical hub offers a full line of total joint replacement surgery, including:
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Complex revisions
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Partial joint replacements of the hip and knee
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Anterior approach hip replacements
Postoperative Phase — Recovering from Your Surgery
The days after your surgery require a high level of care. Closely follow post-op instructions and lean on caregivers for help with daily activities, pain management, wound care emotional support and if needed, transportation.
As you transition into the long-term recovery phase of surgery, continue to be diligent about your health. Keep track of follow-up appointments, reintroduce light physical activity, continue medication plans, keep an eye out for potential complications and seek mental and emotional support.
Your healthcare team may recommend that you participate in physical therapy programs to help improve your strength, mobility, flexibility and function. Work closely with your therapists to develop a tailored program that meets your needs.
Resources
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What to Expect at Home After Surgery: Care Instructions (Kaiser Permanente)
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Postoperative Problems: Check your symptoms, self-care (Kaiser Permanente)
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Local Caregiver Service for Home Care After Surgery: Alondra Home Care is the premier non-medical in-home care agency serving seniors in Fremont, Oakland, and San Jose.
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Your Surgery: How to Recover Well (American College of Surgeons)