Bone Spur Reduction Pre & Post Operative Instructions

Please Read First

This page provides a condensed overview of preparation and recovery guidelines for bone spur reduction. For complete instructions—including anesthesia options, timelines, and medication guidance—please download the full Pre-Operative and Post-Operative instruction documents below. These serve as your primary reference for a safe and successful recovery.

General Anesthesia Pre-Op & Post-Op Instructions Video

Key Pre-Operative Guidelines (Summary)

Fasting

General anesthesia: No food or drink for 8 hours before surgery.
Local with sedation: No food or drink for 3 hours before surgery.
Local only: No fasting required.

Transportation & Care

General anesthesia or sedation: A responsible adult must drive you home; rideshares are not permitted.
Local only: You may drive yourself home.

Medications: Stop aspirin, NSAIDs, blood-thinning supplements, and weight-loss medications as directed. Discuss prescription meds (anticoagulants, blood pressure, diabetes, etc.) with your surgeon.

Lifestyle: Reduce/stop nicotine for 4 weeks before/after; reduce alcohol for 2 weeks before/after.

Day of Surgery: Shower; avoid lotions/makeup; remove jewelry. Wear loose, easy-on clothing. If hair removal is needed near the operative site, do it 3 days prior (not the day before/day of).

Suggested Supplies:

Tylenol (acetaminophen)
Laxative and stool softener (if using narcotic pain medication)
No-slip socks
Gauze pads/clean washcloths for gentle care around the site

Key Post-Operative Guidelines (Summary)

Pain & Nausea: Use Tylenol; narcotic and anti-nausea medications may be prescribed. Avoid NSAIDs unless directed.

Antibiotics: If prescribed, complete the entire course.

Mobility: Begin gentle walking as soon as you’re able to promote circulation and reduce clot risk.

Bathing: Keep incisions clean and dry. Do not soak in tubs, pools, hot tubs, or the ocean until cleared. Shower from the neck down or as instructed; avoid wetting dressings until advised.

Incision Care:

If open to air: keep the area clean/dry and avoid pressure.
If dressed: keep dressings clean/dry; remove per your surgeon’s directions (often at first shower ~24 hours unless told otherwise).

Cold Therapy (optional): Ice 15–20 min on / 40+ min off for the first 48–72 hours; always place a cloth between ice and skin; be gentle around dressings.

Activity: Increase activity gradually; avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, or contact activities until cleared by your surgeon.

Sun Protection: Protect healing scars from sun exposure (SPF 30+ / clothing/hat) to reduce discoloration.

Follow-Up and Support

Urgent Concerns: Contact our office for increasing redness/warmth, pus-like drainage, fever >101°F, excessive bleeding, or pain unrelieved by medication.

Emergencies: For difficulty breathing or chest pain, call 911 or go to the nearest ER.

Ongoing Communication:

Non-urgent: [email protected]
Urgent (9am-5pm): (808) 585-8855
After hours: Physician exchange (808) 524-2575

Appointments: Attend all scheduled follow-ups to monitor healing and address questions.

Download Complete Instructions

For detailed medication guidance, incision care, activity timelines, and recovery milestones, download the complete documents here:

Download Bone Spur Reduction Pre & Post-Operative Instructions (PDF)

Download Pre- and Post-Operative Instructions: Surgery with General Anesthesia (PDF)