• Pre-admission testing is required prior to surgery and someone will call you to schedule an appointment.
• If you take aspirin, Advil, Aleve, or any other type of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, you should stop taking them one week prior to surgery. If you take Coumadin and/or Ticlid, you should notify the prescribing physician for instructions regarding discontinuation prior to surgery.
• If you have a history of cardiac problems, you will require cardiac clearance prior to surgery. This can be done at Loyola University Medical Center or by your following cardiologist.
• After midnight the night before surgery, you should not eat or drink anything. If you take insulin or any other diabetic medication, the anesthesiologist will give you instructions prior to surgery. This will be discussed with you at the pre-admission testing appointment.
• If you have your MRI/CT or any other relevant films, make sure that you bring them with you the day of your surgery.
• Call your insurance carrier before your surgery for pre-certification. Our office will be glad to call or fill out any required forms for the surgery. The best way to get the forms to our office is to bring them to your clinic appointment. You can also deliver them to our office located in Maguire Center room 1900 , or you can mail them to Neurological Surgery Department, 2160 South First Avenue, Maywood, IL  60153.  Our fax number is (708) 216-4948.
• Remember to have someone drive you to the hospital and arrange for someone to pick you up. We cannot discharge you from the hospital without a ride home. Plan ahead at home and have your groceries stocked, your house clean, and someone to help you over the next couple of days. That will prevent you from being tempted to over-do-it and from lifting more than you should (nothing heavier than a telephone book).
• You may be able to return to a desk job and drive within two to six weeks after your discharge from the hospital. However, make plans ahead of time to take an adequate amount of time off from work. Remember, you will not be allowed to lift more than ten pounds, drive, bend or twist, climb stairs or sit for prolonged periods for at least two weeks after surgery. If you need a doctor’s note, ask your physician or nurse at your clinic visit or call (888) LUHS-888 and ask for the Department of Neurological Surgery. If you do more active work on a daily basis, including reaching overhead, lifting, pushing or pulling, you may need to wait for two to four months before going back.

I brought my films to Loyola from another hospital.  How can I be sure to get them back after surgery?

Before the procedure, please be sure to mention to your neurosurgeon that you would like the films returned to you. If they are not returned to you before you are ready to leave, please notify one of our staff members that you would like the films returned to you. If you are discharged before the films are returned, please call (888) LUHS-888 and ask for the file room. Let them know that you are looking for films from an outside facility.

I would like to get a copy of my films for my records. How do I get them?

If your films were taken at Loyola, please call (888) LUHS-888 and ask for the radiology file room. You can request that a copy of the films to be sent to your address. You can also stop by and pick them up at the radiology file room window, which is located in the lower level of the main hospital.

How can I get a copy of my records while in the hospital?

You may request a copy of your hospital records while in the hospital. They can be copied for you before you are discharged. Otherwise, all of your hospital records can be obtained from the Medical Records Department by calling (888) LUHS-888 and asking for the Medical Records Department. They require the patient’s signature before releasing the records. You may also pick up the records at the Medical Records Department in the lower level of the Maguire Building, across the parking lot from the main hospital.

What kind of follow-up care will I need after surgery?

You should make an appointment to follow-up with your neurosurgeon two weeks after your discharge from the hospital. However, if you still have sutures or staples, please tell the scheduler that they need to be removed. Most staples and/or sutures are removed approximately ten to fifteen days after surgery. During this visit, you will obtain directions and restrictions of activities, return to work orders, refills on your prescriptions and possibly referrals for physical or occupational therapy.

I ran out of my prescription and need to get a refill. How do I do this?

Please call your physician’s office at (888) LUHS-888 and ask for the Department of Neurological Surgery, then ask to speak with the nurse. You can leave a request for a refill with the secretary if the nurse is unavailable.  However, it is a good idea to review your medications with the nurse so they can determine if any adjustments need to be made with your medication regimen.  There are many medications that need to be tapered, or slowly decreased over time, so that you do not experience side-effects. Please review all medications with your doctor at the two-week follow-up visit and at each subsequent appointment.

How long do I need to wear my cervical collar/lumbar corset/TLSO/halo?

During your two-week follow-up visit, your neurosurgeon will recommend the length of time you should wear your brace or traction device. For either the soft or rigid type of cervical collar, most recommendations are from two weeks to three months. Lumbar corsets are also recommended for two weeks to four months. It’s a good idea to slowly reduce the amount of time you wear the corset until you can comfortably tolerate not wearing it; however, you should keep it handy so that you can wear it on days when you feel sore. If you do have a day when you feel particularly sore, wear the lumbar corset every day for the following week. In most instances, that will be sufficient time to prevent the soreness from becoming worse. If this does not help, please give our office a call. Keep in mind that if you wear a rigid cervical collar or halo, you should not drive.

I would like to get another soft cervical collar. Where can I get one?

You can usually pick up a soft cervical collar at any drugstore. The main purpose of a soft cervical collar is to remind you not to rotate your neck too far to the right or left, or up and down. A stiff cervical collar, on the other hand, actually provides support and prevents you from rotating your neck. Cervical collars should not fit too tightly, however, and should allow you to breathe comfortably.

My lumbar corset/TLSO is not fitting very well. How can I be refitted?