Your Pre-Operative Appointment
Before your surgery, you will have a dedicated pre-operative appointment at our office, typically 1–2 weeks before your procedure. Here is what to expect:
- 1
Review your patient education guide
You will review your procedure-specific patient education guide with your surgeon or care team. This is your opportunity to ask any remaining questions about the surgery, risks, recovery, and what to expect. Links to each guide are available below.
- 2
Informed consent
You will review and sign your informed consent documents with your surgical team. Your surgeon will confirm the procedure, approach, and risks specific to your anatomy and health history.
- 3
Surgical coordinator review
Your surgical coordinator will confirm your surgery date, time, and facility. They will review insurance authorization, any pre-operative orders, and outstanding items before your procedure.
- 4
Anesthesia consultation
Anesthesia pre-operative assessment is completed through the surgical facility. You will receive instructions regarding medications, eating and drinking restrictions, skin preparation, and arrival time directly from the hospital or surgery center.
Surgery Day Instructions
Specific day-of-surgery instructions — when to stop eating and drinking, which medications to take or hold, skin preparation, arrival time, and what to bring — are provided directly by the surgical facility.
SSM Oklahoma Spine Hospital will contact you before your procedure with facility-specific pre-operative instructions. Please follow those instructions carefully. Call our office at
(405) 748-3300 if you have not been contacted within 3 business days of your scheduled surgery.
Your Patient Education Guide
Each guide covers what your surgery involves, the step-by-step procedure, risks, hospital stay, recovery timeline, return-to-work guidance, warning signs, and answers to common questions. Review your guide before your pre-operative appointment.
Don't see your procedure? Your surgeon's team will provide the appropriate materials at your pre-op appointment. Call (405) 748-3300 with any questions.
After Your Surgery
Your procedure guide contains full recovery instructions — activity restrictions, driving and return-to-work timelines, wound care, medications, follow-up scheduling, and warning signs. Refer to your guide after surgery, and contact our office with any questions during business hours.
After-Hours Urgencies: For fever, wound problems, new or worsening weakness or numbness, loss of bowel or bladder control, or signs of blood clots — do not wait. Call our after-hours line or go directly to the Emergency Room.