Preparing for surgery
The weeks before, the day of, and the first days at home.
What should I arrange before surgery?
Plan for a ride home and help at home for the first few days.
Most people recovering from knee, shoulder, or hip surgery, the areas at the center of Dr. Mantone's sports medicine practice, need someone to drive them home after anesthesia and to help with daily tasks for the first day or two. If your surgery involves the shoulder, arrange a sling in advance and expect to need help with tasks that use both hands; Dr. Mantone completed fellowship training in shoulder and elbow surgery at Baylor University in Dallas, Texas, and his office can tell you what to expect for your specific joint. Set up your home before surgery day too: a supportive chair, ice packs within reach, and anything you use daily moved somewhere you can get to without climbing stairs.
Do I need to stop taking any medications before surgery?
Possibly, yes, for certain medications.
Blood thinners, some anti-inflammatory drugs, and select supplements can raise the risk of bleeding during surgery and may need to be paused beforehand. Your surgical team will confirm exactly which of your medications apply and when to stop taking them, so bring a full list, including over the counter drugs and supplements, to your pre-surgical visit.
What should I bring with me on the day of surgery?
Not much. Bring a photo ID, your insurance card, your medication list, and loose, comfortable clothing that is easy to put on over a bandage, brace, or sling.
Leave jewelry and other valuables at home.
What happens on the day of surgery?
A set sequence, in a specific order.
You will check in, meet with the anesthesia and surgical teams for a final review, and have the procedure performed. Afterward you will move to a recovery area while the anesthesia wears off, and your surgical team will tell you, before surgery day, whether you will go home the same day or stay overnight.
What is normal to feel in the first few days after surgery?
Some pain, swelling, and tiredness are expected.
These are managed with medication, ice, and rest, and they generally ease over the first one to two weeks. How quickly that happens depends on the joint involved, your health before surgery, and how closely you follow your surgical team's instructions.
What symptoms mean I should call my surgical team right away?
A short list, and it is worth keeping somewhere visible.
Call the office during business hours for a fever over 101°F, increasing redness, warmth, or drainage at the incision, or pain that is getting worse instead of better, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2025. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, or calf pain and swelling, which can signal a blood clot. When in doubt, call; a short conversation is better than waiting out a symptom that needs attention.
Ready to talk about your knee, shoulder and hip?
Call the office or request an appointment. Accepting new patients.