The surgical process
Day of surgery
From arrival through heading home, a step-by-step picture of the day and who is with you at every stage.
Step 2 of 3
Outpatient for most
No residents or fellows
Arrival & check-in
Your surgical location calls the business day before with your exact arrival time, so come at the time given in that call rather than a standard time.
Arrive at the time given in your confirmation call
One adult may accompany you and wait on site
Bring your ID and insurance card, and leave valuables at home
You will meet your pre-operative nurse and change into a gown
Dr. Cohn comes to say hello and mark your surgical site with a marker
An IV is started, along with medication to settle any nerves
Getting there
Where To Go
Your surgical location and parking
Dr. Cohn operates at two locations. Your confirmation call tells you which one, along with your arrival time.
Staying comfortable
Fully asleep
General anesthesia for the entire procedure. As Dr. Cohn puts it, surgery is just a nap for you.
Nerve block
A regional block numbs the arm, and the comfort carries for many hours after surgery.
Monitored throughout
Your anesthesiologist explains the plan beforehand and stays with you the whole time.
Questions welcome
You meet the anesthesia team before surgery. Ask anything, nothing is too small to raise.
Anesthesia
Nearly all shoulder and elbow procedures combine general anesthesia with a regional nerve block. You are fully asleep for the procedure, and the block keeps the arm comfortable for hours afterward.
During the procedure
In the operating room
Dr. Cohn performs your entire procedure himself, working with trained surgical assistants. As a private practice surgeon, he does not hand any part of your operation to residents or fellows.
Afterward you wake in the recovery area as the anesthesia wears off. The recovery nurses look after you there, and once you are ready your support person joins you. If you are staying overnight, they will meet you in your room instead.
The same day
Going home
Most patients go home the same day, once fully awake, comfortable, and steady. Complex cases, and patients who are older or have several medical issues, may stay one or two nights.
A responsible adult must drive you home, this is required
Expect the arm to stay numb from the block for 24 to 72 hours
Start your scheduled medications the morning after surgery, even if the block is still working
Eat lightly at first, and rest for the remainder of the day
Keep your dressing clean and dry until your instructions say otherwise
The surgical process