If you’ve decided to undergo spine surgery in consultation with your spine surgeon, you may have questions about the preparation. You must prepare mentally, emotionally, and physically to ensure a smooth recovery after your spine surgery. Dr. Behnam Salari will curate a personalized treatment plan according to your unique needs, goals, and lifestyle. He will highlight every step of your treatment, including the preparation, surgery, and aftercare, but please ask if you have any questions or concerns.
Preparatory Guidelines for Your Spine Surgery:
- Inform your spine surgeon of all ongoing and previous medications
- Talk to your physician about replacing medicines that might negatively affect your recovery
- Stop taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as Aspirin and Warfarin, at least one week before the surgery to minimize bleeding and post-treatment side effects
- Stop smoking several weeks before the surgery and commit to avoiding tobacco until you have recovered completely from your spine surgery
- Ensure you’ve treated all other medical conditions, such as tooth problems, gum disease, and bladder or bowel disorders, before your surgery to minimize the risk of infections
- Follow a well-balanced and nutritious diet regularly
- Take iron multivitamins after your meals to improve the recovery process after the surgery
- Inform the spine surgeon if you notice any signs of infections — you can’t undergo surgery if you have an active infection or inflammation
- Arrange to have someone drive you back home after the surgery
- Ensure that someone can assist you at home for at least 24 hours after the surgery — this includes regular household tasks, such as cooking, laundry, shopping, managing kids, etc.
- Place all items that you regularly use within easy reach, preferably at arm level, so you don’t have to bend over to grab necessary items
- Tape down all electrical cords to minimize the risk of tripping or falling
- Remove all loose curtains to reduce the risk of falls
- Only sit on stable chairs with a firm, stable seat cushion and two arms
- Take your pain medications according to the surgeon’s directions
- Take pain medications when you start feeling discomfort — don’t wait for severe pain
Contact Dr. Salari for Spine Surgery
Dr. Behnam Salari is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with specialized fellowship training in minimally invasive spine surgery. He performs advanced diagnostic tests, such as CT scans, MRI scans, and X-rays to diagnose and subsequently treat the root cause of your spinal problems. Furthermore, he only recommends spine surgery after all other conservative treatments have been exhausted without yielding significant results.
If you have any other questions or concerns about your upcoming spine surgery, please contact Dr. Salari for further clarification. You can find Dr. Salari at our state-of-the-art offices in Morristown, Hackettstown, Sparta, or Randolph in New Jersey.
