Pre Op Instructions

Instructions Prior to Procedure

Please review the following instructions when scheduling your procedure and one week prior to your procedure.

We look forward to serving you and hope to make your visit as comfortable and relaxing as possible.  On the day of the procedure, be prepared to stay several hours.  We respect your time and desire to limit any delays.  However, we will take as much time as needed to care for you and our other patients scheduled that day.

What to bring on the day of your procedure:

• Loose fitting shorts, pants or skirt (no tight jeans please)
• Compression hose
• Your prescription medications - Ativan (generic lorazepam) and/or Clonidine (generic catapres) pills for relaxation.
• The nurse will call these prescriptions to your pharmacy a week prior to your procedure.
• Bring these medications to office; DO NOT TAKE prior to your arrival.
• Your favorite music CDs to keep you company
• Socks, long sleeves or sweater- (to keep you warm)
• Slide on shoes- (easier than lace shoes, no boots)

Important information regarding medications, food, and drink:

• All blood thinning medication must be stopped prior to procedure: (see list below)
  • stop Aspirin 7 days prior
  • stop Plavix 10 days prior to procedure
  • stop Coumadin (Warfarin, Jantoven) when instructed by physician or nurse (must be at least 5 days prior)
  • stop anti-inflammatories (Advil, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve, Naprosyn, Celebrex, Mobic, etc) 5-7 days prior to procedure.
  • stop all multivitamins, Vitamin E, fish oil, garlic, and Herbal supplements 5-7 days prior
  • no red wine 4 days prior to procedure
• If you take blood pressure medicine please continue this as scheduled.  However, if your medicine contains diuretic (water pill), do not take your dose 4 hours before procedure.
• If you take diabetes medicine (sugar pill) please take as scheduled.  Please make sure you eat prior to procedure so that your blood sugar does not fall.
• Please do not take diuretics or drink caffeine 4 hours before your appointment.
• Please eat before you arrive
• Avoid red wine 4 days prior to procedure.  Avoid all other alcohol 48 hours prior to procedure and for at least 24 hours after the procedure.
• If you bruise easily you may want to purchase Arnica Montana, a homeopathic medication designed to help prevent post-op bruising and soreness.  You may find this in our office. Dissolve 5 pellets under your tongue three times a day.  Start 2 days prior to procedure and continue for 5-10 days following procedure.  This is optional and not required.

Other Instructions:

• Do not apply lotion, vaseline, or bath gel to the treated leg for 4 days prior to procedure.  Yes, we want your legs to be dry. We recommend Techni-Care antiseptic soap for washing your leg the night before the procedure.  Please make sure you rinse the techni care soap off your skin.  This soap may be purchased in our office.  If you are unable to use the Techni-care please use an antibacterial bar soap
• If you shave your legs on a regular basis, do not shave legs the day of procedure.  Shaving prior to this time however is fine.  If you do not typically shave your legs, we will determine if shaving is needed and take care of this for you on the day of your procedure.
• We recommend you bring a friend or family member to drive you home.  This is mandatory if you take the relaxation medication the day of your procedure.

Procedure Scheduling and Questions:

We look forward to treating you.  If you have any questions about scheduling or insurance please call Lorraine Rath 478-743-2472, patient coordinator.  

If you have an after-hours or emergency question or cancellation, please call Dr Harper's cell phone 478 747 3420. 

As you are aware, all cancellations or rescheduling with the exception of emergencies, should be taken care of well in advance to allow us to better accommodate you and our other patients.

If you have any medical questions, changes in health, or change in medication please alert Dr Harper's nurses (Elizabeth Hall, Priscilla Johnson, or Brenda Hutcheson) by phone during office hours 478-743-2472.