What To Expect doing your surgery with Sports Medicine associates of san antono

Want to know the process of doing your surgery with SMASA? We’ve outlined the typical process from consultation to returning to your active lifestyle.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A CONSULTATION?

In a consultation, we assess whether the patient is fit to undergo surgery and whether the benefits outweigh the risks.

On the day of the consultation, the doctor will first evaluate you and go through your physical exam.

They will then go through different questions like:

How bad is the pain?
How is it affecting your quality of life?
What have you already tried?

Then you and the doctor will come to a decision on whether surgery is right for you. Once the decision is made to have the surgery, we will get started on paperwork and scheduling.

Dr. Glebus of Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio discusses when patients should consider coming in for a consultation.

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WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE DAY OF SURGERY?

An important thing to remember on the day of surgery is don’t eat or drink anything.

You will arrive to the hospital a minimum of an hour and a half to two hours before surgery. This is because we have to get you through registration, into a room, changed into a gown, get an IV, and then review your chart.

The surgeon will then come talk to you before surgery to discuss everything again, to make sure everyone is on the same page. Also, an important thing to remember is that you can still cancel at this point.

Then the anesthesiologist will come in and have an important conversation about all the risks and benefits in anesthesia.

After that, the next step is surgery.

WHAT TO EXPECT POST SURGERY?

There are two different categories after surgery:

Inpatient: After the surgical procedure is done, you are required to spend at least one night in the hospital.
Outpatient: After the surgical procedure is done, you go home that same day.

The general routine is the same for both. The difference is whether you’re doing it in the hospital or at home.

While the typical image in our brain of post-surgery recovery is someone in a bed for weeks on end watching tv, this won’t be the case.

It’s actually quite different than you’d expect. Your orthopedic surgeon will have you start moving the joint that day and usually, you’ll start physical therapy the day of surgery or the day after.

The sooner you start your exercise the sooner you’ll be functionally using your joint to get back to your daily tasks and the things you love to do. However, you shouldn’t overdo it either.

Following the guidelines set up for you by your orthopedic surgeon and their team will help you to recover at the proper pace.

Some things you might want to stock up on for your recovery include:

Ice packs
Pain/anti-inflammatory medication
Proper bandages and wound care items
Walker, cane, or crutches (these will typically be provided by the hospital but double-check with your doctor just in case)
Comfortable pillows
Assistive items like shower benches and handrails

Ask family or friends ahead of time for help so you don’t feel alone during your recovery. You won’t be able to drive by yourself so setting up transportation services will be helpful.

MEDICATION AFTER SURGERY

Most of the time patients will go pick up their medication one to two days before surgery to be sure they have it ready for them when they get home.

The different categories of medication that are usually given:

Anti-inflammatory
Narcotics
Blood thinner
Specific Side Affects

WHY CHOOSE SPORTS MEDICINE ASSOCIATES OF SAN ANTONIO FOR YOUR JOINT REPLACEMENT SURGERY?

As one of San Antonio’s most prestigious orthopedic clinics, you can count on our doctors at Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio (SMASA) to take care of any joint issues you’re experiencing.

We don’t only serve the community, we also serve the most elite professional athletic teams in San Antonio. They trust our doctors over all the others to take care of every need.

If you’re considering having a joint replacement surgery done, schedule an appointment with any of the following doctors to make sure you get the best care you possibly can.