Pre-operative Care

Commercial insurance: Please contact your insurance company and inform them that you are scheduled to undergo surgery.  Your plan may require clinical information prior to authorizing your surgery.  Please have them contact us and we will provide the needed information to obtain surgical authorization.

Worker’s compensation: Your proposed surgery must be pre-authorized in writing before your surgery can be scheduled. Please have written authorization faxed to (773) 702-4384.

Preoperative appointment with surgical team: DCAM 4B or Matteson locations:

  • If you saw Dr. Shi more than 30 days before your surgery date, you will need another appointment within 30 days of your surgery.  You will have the chance to have all your questions answered.  Additionally, you will sign the surgery consent and complete any additional studies.

Preoperative anesthesia appointment:  DCAM 2E  (773)834-7255

  • You may be asked to meet with the anesthesiologist before surgery, depending on your age and medical history.  The anesthesiologist may schedule additional tests to ensure that you are medically cleared for your procedure.  If you have outside medical testing, it is best to bring the results with you to this preoperative appointment.  You are also recommended to fax those results to (773) 702-4384, attention Anne Papa, Dr. Shi’s nurse.
  • Please bring an updated list of medications, including over the counter, and supplements or herbs that you are taking.  Please use this opportunity to discuss any concerns with the anesthesiologist.
  • At this preop appointment or on the day of surgery, the anesthesiologist will discuss the types of anesthesia you will receive.  Most patients have a “nerve block,” which is a safe and effective way to ensure less sedative is needed during surgery to keep you asleep, and it is important for pain control immediately postop.  The anesthesiologist and Dr. Shi may have specific requirements about the type of anesthesia employed, depending on your health and surgical considerations.

Preparing for surgery

  • Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery, including water, candy, or gum.  Eating or drinking anything after midnight may result in the cancellation of your surgery due to aspiration risks.
  • Aspirin and anti-inflammatories (Ibuprofen, Aleve, naproxen, etc) – If your medical doctors and the anesthesiologist agree, it is preferable you discontinue these medications one week prior to surgery to decrease bleeding risk during surgery.  Please consult with your doctors.
  • Please review all medications with the surgical team or the anesthesiologist.  You will be instructed on which medications to be held and which ones to continue.  If you are directed to do so, you can take medication on morning of surgery with a small sip of water.
  • If you are having a day (out-patient) procedure, you must have an adult take you home from surgery; this must be a family member or friend, and cannot be a taxi driver.  After anesthesia, it is unsafe to leave the hospital unescorted.
  • Wear loose fitting clothes to surgery, such as a short sleeved shirt.  Your shoulder/elbow will be dressed in a bulky dressing after surgery.
  • For most shoulder surgeries, you will be discharged home with a Polar Care Icing system.  See separate instruction sheet if applicable.  You will need to have ice at home to use in this unit.
  • If you wear contact lenses, please wear your glasses during day of surgery and bring a case to store your glasses during surgery.
  • If you wear dentures, you may be asked to remove them.  You will be given a cup for storage.
  • Leave all valuables at home.  

SURGICAL WIPES

You may be given surgical wipes to decrease the normal bacteria living on your skin prior to surgery.The wipes contain Chlorhexadine, an anti-septic medication.

You should “test” the wipe on a small patch of skin on your forearm when you receive the wipes.If you develop rash or irritation, then do not use the wipes.Do not worry—you will receive a complete surgical scrub in the operating room in any scenario.You do not need to contact Dr. Shi’s office if you are not able to use the wipes.

Night before surgery

  • Take shower and dry off completely.
  • Use the Chlorhexadine wipes to wipe down your entire body except face, private area and open wounds.  No need to scrub your skin with the wipe.
  • Allow your skin to dry – it will feel sticky initially but that will go away once it dries.  Do not let the skin surface to get wet.
  • Wear clean pajamas and use clean sheets on your bed.

Morning of surgery

  • You should NOT shower or bath.
  • Repeat the same wipe down procedure as you did the night before, and allow dry.
  • Please sign and date the instruction sheet and bring it to surgery with you.  If you forget the form, the preoperative nurse can give you a new one to sign.