Before Your First Appointment

Please provide our office with all diagnostic imaging reports and CDs including MRI and CT scans in advance of your appointment. This will allow enough time for us to review your images prior to your visit. You may also wish to download and complete your intake forms prior to arriving so you will not need to worry about filling them out at the office. Your Patient Bill of Rights is also available for your review.

DURING YOUR APPOINTMENT

Every visit to our practice focuses on your comfort. We will allocate a full hour to your first appointment. We will review your diagnostic images in detail. We will discuss your symptoms, safety, flexibility, lifestyle, and future plans. Your medications—especially blood thinners, heart medications, analgesics, weight loss drugs and supplements—will be noted. We may need to order additional studies or tests.

Next, we will go over treatment options – both surgical and non-surgical – and together we will develop a plan that’s right for you. Even after we agree on a course of treatment, you will have choices along the way to make your experience as comfortable as possible.

QUESTIONS

If you have any questions about your care, feel free to communicate with our office in advance. During your appointment, you are always welcome to ask questions, voice concerns, or request clarification on anything we discuss. If you have questions about insurance, please give us a call at (631) 525-1420 or use this form.

Before Your Surgery

GET PRE-OP CLEARANCE FROM YOUR DOCTORS

This may require testing such as diagnostic images, lab tests, or EKGs.

SCHEDULE YOUR PRE-OPERATIVE VISIT:

Hospitals will have different requirements; however, patients may have a pre-operative appointment scheduled with the anesthesia department 1-3 days prior to the surgery date. At this time, you will be given pre-op instructions and meet with an anesthesiologist. If your lab work was not done by your primary physician, it may be done at this time.

CONFIRMATION:

A member of our staff will call you 1-2 days before your surgery to confirm your appointment and answer any questions you may have. If you have questions about insurance, please give us a call at (631) 525-1420.

Preparing for Surgery

WHAT SHOULD I NOTIFY MY PHYSICIAN ABOUT?

Prescriptions

Medications, Medical Conditions, And Other Considerations

Please notify the surgical center about any daily or regular medications you currently take, especially related to heart or blood pressure.

These could include:

  • Blood thinners like Coumadin, Eliquis, or Plavix
  • Analgesics like Advil, Aleve, Ibuprofen, Motrin, or Naproxen
  • Any dietary supplements
  • Diabetic or weight loss medications including insulin,
    including Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy

During your pre-op visit, we will instruct you on what medications you should take the morning of your procedure.

In addition, please contact us if you have been feeling ill lately (cold, fever, cough, or other concerns) or if for any reason you cannot keep your scheduled surgery appointment.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR ON THE WAY TO AND FROM MY PROCEDURE?

Please wear loose, comfortable clothing and shoes to your appointment. During your procedure, you will be provided with a surgical gown.

Please leave contact lenses, jewelry, and valuables at home.

Loose clothing and comfortable shoes
Driver

IS IT OKAY FOR ME TO DRIVE MYSELF TO AND FROM MY PROCEDURE?

For your safety, you will not be allowed to drive when discharged. Please arrange for someone to drive you to the center for your appointment and drive you home. If desired, they may remain in our waiting room during your procedure.

THE NIGHT BEFORE SURGERY

  • Do not eat or drink at all the night before surgery, any time after midnight. This includes 
water, hard candy, gum, and prescription medications, unless otherwise ordered by your physician or instructed by us. This is extremely important, as any contents in your stomach could cause aspiration, meaning the substance could travel into your lungs. This could cause severe complications during and after surgery, potentially leading to suffocation or pneumonia.
  • Do not smoke after midnight on the day of your procedure.
  • Please bathe or shower the night before. If the hospital provided soap for you, you may choose to use that.
  • Be sure you arrange for someone to drive you home. You cannot drive after surgery due to the after-effects of anesthesia.
MRI of the spine

After Your Surgery

For your safety and well-being, you must have a responsible adult with you after the procedure to drive you home. We will not permit you to leave by yourself.

The medical staff will discharge you when you are in stable condition. It is normal for you to feel sleepy, slightly dizzy, or nauseated. These are side effects of anesthesia, which often pass within 12-24 hours.

HOW CAN I MANAGE PAIN AFTER SURGERY?

After any surgical procedure, you may experience some pain. Ice will help minimize swelling and reduce pain.

If you have been given prescriptions for pain medications, fill them before surgery so you have them ready when you need them. Take the pain medication when you first become aware of pain sensations, and continue to stay on top of it. Eating before taking any pain medications can help you avoid nausea.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I NOTICE CUTS OR ABRASIONS NEAR MY SURGICAL SITE?

Breaks in the skin around your surgical site increase the chance of infection. If you notice any break in the skin close to the site, please notify our office immediately.

“My experience with Dr. Nkrumah and his PA Deanna Getty was extremely positive. What I would like to point out is being a nurse for many years and working in a hospital, I have never met a doctor who exhibited such kindness, empathy, patience, and understanding. Dr. Nkrumah’s PA Deanna Getty afforded me the same courtesy.”

—Kathleen Crennan Demalderis