Stem Cell Pre-Operative Instructions

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  • Bring an extra set of comfortable, loose clothing (including an extra pair of underwear)
  • If you have a specific beverage or snack you prefer, please bring them to consume after the procedure. Our office does have protein shakes and juices.
  • Please bring someone with you to drive you home. The procedure will leave your joints stiff for a few days, and you should not operate a motor vehicle of any kind.
  • Please review our list of medications, supplements, and herbals which we recommend discontinuing for two (2) weeks prior to the procedure and for two (2) weeks after the procedure. If you must continue to take a particular medication or vitamin, please confirm with our specialists.

Pre-Operative Instructions

  1. No Smoking for two (2) weeks prior to the procedure and for two (2) weeks after the procedure. Smoking decreases circulation slows wound healing time and can cause significant complications during healing. Secondhand smoking affects healing in the same way, so please avoid people smoking around you.
  2. Do not take any product containing aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, piroxicam, ketorolac, or diclofenac for two (2) weeks prior to the procedure and for two (2) weeks after the procedure. These medications interfere with normal blood clotting. Please check the labels of all medications that you take, even those available without a prescription to make sure you are not taking aspirin or aspirin-like. You may take Tylenol or generic forms of this drug.
  3. Discuss with your primary physician to discontinue anticoagulant drugs such as heparin, enoxaparin, ticagrelor, warfarin, clopidogrel, rivaroxaban for two (2) weeks prior to the procedure and for two (2) weeks after the procedure.
  4. Please discontinue vitamins such as aloe vera, chamomile, cranberry, Dong Quai, evening primrose, fenugreek, feverfew, fish oil, flaxseed, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, ginseng, grapefruit, green tea, meadowsweet, oregano, red clover, saw palmetto, turmeric, and white willow for 2 weeks prior to the procedure and 2 weeks after the procedure.
  5. Please avoid pseudoephedrine and other cold tablets for two (2) weeks prior to and after the procedure.
  6. Please discontinue diet pills or herbal weight loss medications for two (2) weeks prior to the procedure and for two (2) weeks after the procedure.
  7. Do not drink alcohol for two (2) weeks prior to the procedure and for two (2) weeks after the procedure. Excessive alcohol consumption may create complications, increase bleeding and bruising, and slow healing time.
  8. Notify the physician if you develop a cold, fever, sore throat, cough, or other indications of illness prior to your scheduled procedure.
  9. You may have a regular meal in the morning or the day of your treatment, prior to the procedure.
  10. Do not schedule personal appointments or meetings on the day of the procedure. The surgery times may change, and you must be on call just in case there are any cancellations or delays. Please be ready and available if the doctor needs you to come earlier than the given time.