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Dr Kevin Roth, Shoulder, Knee & Hip Surgeon, Palo Alto, CA » Patient Info » Preparing For Surgery

Preparing For Surgery

Location of Surgery:

  • Fremont Surgery Center
    39350 Civic Center Drive Suite 100,
    Fremont, CA., 94538

    (510-456-4600)

  • PAMF Surgery Center Fremont
    3120 Kearney Street
    Fremont, CA 94538

    (510-498-3600)

Fasting Instructions:

You may have absolutely NOTHING to eat or drink, including gum, cigarettes, breath mints, etc. after midnight, the day of surgery. If you are checking in later of the day, please ask the pre-op nurse when you may have your last food or drink.

Semiglutide/ Weight loss injections/ GLP-1 agonists:

These medications delay gastric emptying. If you are taking any of these medications: Trulicity, Bydureon, Byetta, Ozempic, Saxenda, Wygovy, Victoza, Adlyxin, Rybelsus, Please stop taking these medications at least one week prior to surgery.

Please stop these SGLT2 inhibitors at least 3 days prior to surgery as it increases the risk of euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (eDKA) during periods of fasting or stress.

  • Jardiance (empagliflozin)
  • Invokana (canagliflozin)
  • Farxiga (dapagliflozin)
  • Inpefa (sotaglifozin)
  • Synjardy (empagliflozin/metformin)
  • Steglarto (etugliflozin) (Please stop this medication 4 days prior to surgery)

Because of anesthesia, you will need to arrange for a friend or relative to drive you home after surgery.

You will not be able to go home in a taxi/Uber after surgery. On the night of surgery, please have someone assist you if you must go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

NOTE: Leave all valuables at home and remove all your jewelry.

A cooling device/ice machine that you can take home after surgery is available for purchase if the doctor has indicated it in your surgery order. This is NOT a covered benefit by insurance companies and costs $235 out of pocket. You are NOT obligated to purchase it. If you choose not to purchase, please make sure you have plenty of gel ice packs for after surgery cold therapy. Please call PacMed at (650) 260-8311 for any orders or inquiries regarding CPM, Ice Machines, Braces or crutches.

For additional questions, please refer to our frequently asked questions below.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

  1. What TIME is my surgery appointment?
    Surgery center will call you midday the day before your surgery to provide you with exact time. If you do not hear from them by 3:00 P.M. the day before your surgery, please call the surgery center you are scheduled for.
  2. What is my out-of-pocket cost for surgery? How much does my insurance cover?
    As a courtesy, we will obtain authorization (surgeon/assistant fees only) from your insurance provider. We will only contact you if there is a problem with the authorization. If your insurance has changed prior to your surgery, please notify us by calling 650-853-2943 and updating your info. You are responsible for knowing your plan details. If you have any insurance questions (coverage/out of pocket expense) please contact your insurance. For facility/anesthesiologist fees, please contact the surgery center.
  3. What is the process if I need to apply for EDD (Employment Development Department)?
    If you are applying for EDD /FMLA (medical leave of absence) please follow the following instructions: You are responsible for initiating the process online on the EDD website www.edd.ca.gov/disability/ Once completed you will be given a receipt number. Please call our Disability Coordinators Team. Phone: 650-853-2026

    Please send or fax all other forms for time off work to DISABILITY COORDINATORS at Fax: 650-560-65G0

    Forms will be completed and sent out according to form directions.

  4. When will I get my prescription for physical therapy?
    PT will be ordered at least two weeks prior to surgery. If you are not going to PT within PAMF, please get the name, phone number and fax number and get it to us ASAP. This way we can try to avoid delays in scheduling. Please keep in mind that it may take 3-4 weeks to get into some PT clinics, so it is important that you set up your PT appointments ahead of time. Each surgical procedure is unique as to when you will start PT. Physical therapy is usually ordered for twice a week for 6 weeks. PT protocols can be found at: www.KevinRothMD.com
  5. When can I pick up my post-op pain medication?
    You will receive a call or message from Dr. Roth's Physician Assistant, May Shah, the week of surgery. We will send an electronic prescription to your pharmacy.
  6. If I need a brace/sling/crutches, when can I pick it up?
    Any medical equipment such as braces/crutches/sling etc. will be provided for you at the surgery center on the day of your surgery.
  7. What if I have questions post-operatively?
    Dr. Roth's Physician Assistant, May Shah, or his Nurse Practitioner, Michael Wang, will call you the day after surgery to check in with you. You can call Dr. Roth's care team during clinical hours from 8:00- 5p.m. at 650-853-2943. If you have My Health Online, please use it to send non-urgent messages to the care team.
  8. Can I take my daily medications prior to surgery?
    Please clarify with the surgery center when they call you the day before as to what they would like you to take or not take pre-operatively the day of surgery.
  9. Where is my post-op appointment?
    Your first post-op appointment will be with May Shah, Dr. Roth's Physician Assistant who typically assists with surgery.

    Palo Alto: 795 El Camino Real, Clark Building, Level 3 Palo Alto, CA 94301

    Dublin: 4000 Dublin Blvd Unit 320 Dublin CA 94301

  10. What do I wear to the surgery center?
    If you are having surgery on your upper body, wear something loose that buttons down the front. For surgery on the lower part of your body, you should wear shorts or loose-fitting pants. You will have bulky dressings on your surgical site.
  11. Can I have Uber pick me up after surgery?
    You will need to arrange for a friend or relative to drive you home. You will not be able to go home in a taxi/Uber or Lyft. On the night of surgery, please have someone assist you if you must go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
  12. What if I am feeling sick prior to my surgery?
    If you have a cough, cold, fever or other problems prior to surgery, please call our office or send us a message to inform us. We will discuss symptoms and treatment plans.
  13. What if I need care after hours?
    PAMF main line: 650-321-4121, ask to speak with the MD on call for Sports Medicine.
    PAMF Urgent Care: 650-853-2958, they are open every day from 7am-9pm.

If the UCC is closed and you need immediate attention, please go to the nearest ER.

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