Foot, Ankle and Leg Surgery
Before Surgery Reminders:
- Take a shower or bath the evening before or the morning of your surgery. DO NOT apply lotion, powders or cologne after bathing. Face moisturizer and deodorants are permitted.
- Please be sure that all nail polish is removed from your toenails.
- DO NOT eat or drink anything after midnight on the evening before your surgery. There is no coffee drinking or smoking permitted the morning of surgery.
- Bring your medications with you to the facility and it will be determined at the facility whether you can proceed with your normal morning medication routine.
- Contact your surgeon if there is any change in your health status, medication usage or any other medical or psychological (i.e. stress or depression) conditions that have not been disclosed during your preoperative visits
- Remember to bring any braces including cast shoes or boots with you to the surgical facility
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
1. Will I need a pre op clearance from my family physician?
- Depending on your age and medical history, you may be required to obtain medical clearance and/or blood-work before your surgery can take place.
- This can be accomplished by seeing your medical doctor or hospital pre operative center.
- Your medical doctor must fax (954-349-7161) all of your test results with a note of surgical clearance and recommendation to our office and surgery center at least 3 days before your scheduled surgery.
2. Will I need a pre op visit with the foot and ankle surgeon prior to surgery?
- Unless other arrangements are made, you will be scheduled an appointment with your Surgeon prior to your surgery date, at which time, you will sign all necessary paperwork and address any questions or concerns you may have about the procedure.
3. Are there medications that I cannot take prior to surgery?
- DO NOT take any medications containing aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medications, such as Ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin or Aleve, etc. for 10 days prior to surgery date. Resume only when the physician instructs you to take them. If you are taking “blood thinners” please discuss with the doctor how long prior to surgery these medications must be stopped. Also please let the doctor know if you are taking any Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (Isocarboxazid (Marplan), Phenelzine (Nardil), Selegiline (Emsam), Tranylcypromine (Parnate)). Please present your full medication list to Surgeon at pre operative visits and Primary Care Physician at medical clearance visit for complete medication instructions.
4. Can I eat or drink prior to my surgery?
- The night prior to your surgery you are not tot eat or drink after midnight. If you have to take any medication, you may do so under instruction by preoperative nurses.
5. Will someone need to drive me home?
- Yes, you will need to have an adult take you home after any procedure requiring sedation or anesthesia. This is for your safety. In case you need help at home, you will need someone to assist you.
6. Will the surgery center/hospital contact me prior to surgery?
- Prior to your scheduled procedure, a pre-operative nurse will call to discuss your care at the center. Medical information, instructions specific to your procedure and financial arrangements may be discussed at that time.
7. When should I arrive at the surgery center?
- Generally speaking, you should plan on arriving approximately ninety minutes before your scheduled surgery time. However, a nurse from the pre-operative department will call you prior to your surgery date.
8. What should I wear to the surgery center?
- Wear loose clothing that will be easy to put on after your operation (do not wear jeans).
- Do not wear makeup or jewelry.
- If you have dentures, you may be asked to remove them before you go into the operating room.
- You should bring your hearing aid so you will be able to hear questions.
- Do not wear contact lenses; bring your glasses.
9. What do I need to bring with me the day of surgery?
- Please bring bring the following:
- Health Insurance card, Prescription medication card
- One form of legal picture identification
- Payment for any patient responsibility that is due to surgery center
- Any pre operative assistive device that has been prescribed (cane, crutches, braces, splints, or immobilizers)
10. Who do I contact if I have any questions or concerns after surgery?
- For medical/surgical questions please call the office number at the location you have been seen in.
- Weston 954-389-5900 Plantation 954-720-1530 Pembroke Pines 954-430-9901
- For insurance questions, please call Carolina at 954-349-2441.
11. When can I return to work or school?
- The recovery period varies from patient to patient and from procedure to procedure. Typically, limited activity is recommended during the first week following surgery.
- Ultimately, the physician will determine your activity level based on your individual procedure.
12. What is the expected recovery time?
- The initial 24-48 hours following surgery, you should expect to rest as much as possible.
- Normal daily activity, with possible limitations secondary to weight bearing status, is expected within the first week of surgery.
13. Is the procedure covered by my insurance?
Our surgical coordinator will contact your insurance company to obtain your benefits, as well as, authorization and/or approval for your surgery. Once your benefits have been obtained, you will be contacted by our surgical coordinator, Carolina (954-349-2441). Most health insurance covers surgery that is not considered cosmetic, but the coverage may vary according to your health plan with varying out of pocket costs. Ultimately, it is your responsibility to know your individual coverage and its limitations, as well as who is a provider for your plan. We urge you to check with your insurance company regarding your benefits because failure to comply could result in you, the patient, being responsible for all costs incurred. Please remember that your insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance company. If your insurance provider requires a deductible, co-pay or co-insurance for services, we are obligated to collect it. We do not have the option not waive or reduce any patient responsibility.
For all insurance related questions please call our billing and surgical coordinator, Carolina at *954-349-2441*
14. Are my post op visits included in my cost of surgery?
It is often incorrectly assumes that any visit immediately following a surgery is considered a “post operative visit” where there is not a patient charge; many procedures are not seen this way by insurers and are subject to your deductible, co-pay and/or co-insurance. The rules governing these charges are dictated by each individual insurer and in order to participate, we are bound to follow them or risk being dismissed as a covered provider. X-rays, bandaging, casting and braces are all subject to copays and deductibles.
There are even some invasive surgeries where deductibles, co-pays and/or co-insurance apply immediately after the surgery. Depending on the nature of a patient’s problem and its severity, a significant part of a successful surgery is the office based care that takes place afterwards to promote adequate healing. Subsequently, insurers reduce the surgical fee of this procedure so that the entire cost of the care associated with this surgery is reflected in the varying amount of work done. Deductible, co-pay and/or co-insurance will often apply to these procedures.
For all insurance related questions please call our billing and surgical coordinator, Carolina at *954-349-2441*