Before Your Surgery or Procedure

Pre-Operative Instructions – Open Heart Surgery Pre-Operative Instructions – General and Thoracic Surgery Pre-Procedure Instructions – VNUS Closure Pre-Procedure Instructions – Phlebectomy Pre-Procedure Instructions – Sclerotherapy Directions to the MMC Pre-Admission Testing Unit (PAU) Letter of Medical Necessity for Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Pre-Operative Instructions - Open Heart Surgery

IF YOUR SYMPTOMS WORSEN OR YOU BECOME MORE CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR HEART, PLEASE CALL US DIRECTLY.

Maine Heart Surgical Associates staff nurses will review the expected hospital course with our patients in the office at the time of initial surgical consultation if surgery is elective. If you first meet your surgeon while in the hospital the nurses there will give an overview of that to expect during and after surgery. The topics will include:

• Pre-admission testing which takes place at Maine Medical Centers Brighton Campus (directions to PAU). This is usually scheduled the day before surgery and takes approximately one and a half hours
• Should you develop a cold, respiratory infection or cough within a week of surgery, you must contact our office so that we can evaluate your condition. Since the risk of complications with surgery may be much greater with respiratory infections present, surgery may need to be delayed.
• It is important that you complete all necessary dental care prior to surgery.
• If you are taking Coumadin or Plavix, you must stop taking it five days prior to surgery to avoid bleeding problems after surgery. If you have coronary stints you may be admitted prior to stopping Plavix for intravenous anticoagulation.
• Do not have anything to eat or drink after midnight the night before your surgery.
• Take your usual prescription medications.
• For patients having open-heart surgery who live more that 30 miles from Maine Medical Center the option of staying at a local hotel is available for the night before with no cost to the patient. Please notify Maine Heart Surgical Associates if you wish to participate in this program..

Please feel free to call us with any questions or concerns.

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Pre-Operative Instructions – General and Thoracic Surgery

Maine Heart Surgical Associates staff nurses will review the expected hospital course with our patients in the office at the time of initial surgical consultation. The topics will include:

• If you are undergoing day surgery you will need someone to drive you home. The medication you receive will leave you unsafe to drive for approximately two hours following the procedure.
• Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before, except for prescribed medications. These should be taken as they normally would.
• Should you develop a cold, respiratory infection or cough within a week of surgery, you must contact our office so that we can evaluate your condition. Since the risk of complication with surgery may be much greater with respiratory infections present, surgery may need to be delayed.

Please feel free to call us with any questions or concerns.

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Pre-Procedure Instructions - VNUS Closure

Maine Heart Surgical Associates staff nurses will review the process with our patients in the office at the time of initial surgical consultation. The topics will include:

• Pick up a prescription for Valium. Please take one of the two pills upon leaving your home and bring the other one with you.
• Pick up stockings prior to procedure and bring them with you. We will provide you with a letter of medical necessity for your stockings which some insurance companies require for coverage.
• Call the day before to confirm time.
• Sign consent form and bring with you.
• Eat a light breakfast the morning of your procedure.
• You will need a follow up ultrasound appointment in 72 hr. to check on closure. We will arrange this for you.
• You will need a ride home.
• Do not bring your wallet or purse on day of procedure.
• If you take diuretics, do not take them the morning of surgery

Please feel free to call us with any questions or concerns.

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Pre-Procedure Instructions - Phlebectomy

Maine Heart Surgical Associates staff nurses will review the process with you and answer any questions in the office at the time of initial consultation. The topics will include:

• Pick up prescriptions for:
• Valium
• Please take one of the two pills upon leaving your home and bring the other one with you.
• Pain Medication
• Please take one before leaving your home.
• Antibiotic
• Take one tablet one hour prior to the procedure and three tablets after the procedure.
• No Aspirin, Plavix or Coumadin for 5 days before your procedure
• Pick up stockings prior to procedure and bring them with you. We will provide you with a letter of medical necessity for your stockings which some insurance companies require for coverage.
• Call the day before to confirm time.
• Sign consent form and bring with you.
• Eat a light breakfast the morning of your procedure.
• You will need a ride home.
• Do not bring your wallet or purse on day of procedure

Please feel free to call us with any questions or concerns.

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Pre-Procedure Instructions - Sclerotherapy

Maine Heart Surgical Associates staff nurses will review the process with you and answer any questions in the office at the time of initial consultation. The topics will include:

• Wear comfortable clothes.
• Do not shave legs for 48 hours prior to procedure.
• Avoid application of moisturizers to the legs on the day of treatment.
• You will be instructed to take antibiotics for this procedure.
• No Aspirin, Plavix or Coumadin for 7 days before your procedure.

Please feel free to call us with any questions or concerns.

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