As people get older or suffer injuries, hip replacement surgery can become inevitable. While it might sound scary, especially for someone who has never had surgery before, it’s a remarkably safe procedure. Patients often experience fantastic results and are immensely pleased with their increased mobility and comfort. But that doesn’t mean that you should ever approach surgery blindly.

One easy way to prepare for any surgery is to make a checklist. You can use this helpful information to aid in preparing your checklist for hip replacement surgery. It’s also a good idea to have your doctor review and go over this checklist. This may help you feel better and confident about your hip replacement surgery.  It’s always wise to be informed and have a plan before you head into the operating room.

Quit Smoking

As a general rule, anyone that’s currently a smoker should quit smoking as soon as possible. The health problems and hazards of smoking are well documented and numerous. But for someone about to undergo hip surgery, there’s a very specific concern. Smoking interferes with bone healing, which is obviously an issue after hip surgery. Anything that slows the healing process can lengthen your recovery time, and that’s not something that anyone wants to see happen. Work on a plan to quit smoking long before you schedule your surgery.

Get an Examination

Before your hip replacement, you should be examined by your primary care physician. Commonly, you’ll have blood tests, a chest X-Ray, and an electrocardiogram. If you have any chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure or asthma, your doctor will need to ensure that those issues are well controlled and won’t cause problems with the procedure. All of this information helps you doctor to determine whether or not you could experience complications with the surgery.

Store Blood

When facing hip replacement surgery, you should know that it’s always possible that you’ll need a blood transfusion before or after the surgery. Since your blood is the safest for you to receive, it’s recommended that you donate blood before the surgery. However, you can’t do that six months in advance. Blood only stays viable for a limited amount of time, so generally the earliest this can be done is two or four weeks before the surgery. Check with your hospital to find out more about the policy.

See Your Dentist

This may seem like an odd addition to the checklist, but it’s worth considering. A dental infection can spread to your hip. The resulting complications could be quite serious, so it’s best to know that your dental health is in order beforehand. After you’ve had your hip replacement, you need to let your dentist know about the surgery. You may be prescribed antibiotics before any major dental work. The antibiotics are used to aid in preventing an infection of your new hip.

Surgery doesn’t have to be scary. There may be Joint replacement programs in Jacksonville, FL, that will help you prepare for your surgery. If you have any questions or concerns, speak with the medical professionals at Southeast Orthopedic Specialists before your surgery. Being informed and prepared always helps.