Dr. Dubrow sees patients with MD West ONE at the following Office Locations:

 

Fountain Ridge Elkhorn

222 N. 192nd St.

Elkhorn, NE 68022

402-390-4111

 

Farnam Midtown Omaha

8005 Farnam Drive

Suite 305

Omaha, NE 68114

402-390-4111

 

Council Bluffs

1 Edmundson Place

Lynn Pavilion, Suite 200

Council Bluffs, IA 51503

712-430-4111

 

What to bring to your appointment

Bring all xrays, MRI’s , and CT scans to your appointment if available

Preop instructions

 

Necessary Steps Prior to Surgery:

1. Imaging studies

a. X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI

– One or all may be necessary for surgical planning

2. Your primary care physician and/or specialist (ie Cardiologist), whose care you are under, should evaluate you for an assessment of your readiness to undergo surgery *** You will be advised if this is necessary prior to scheduling surgery

3. A pre-operative assessment with Anesthesiology if you have a history of certain medical conditions, including cardiac disease, asthma, or diabetes.

 

Day of Surgery:

You will arrive at the hospital 2 hours prior to the procedure.  This is necessary for the nursing staff and anesthesiologists to prepare you for the surgery.  It is important that you follow the instructions given to you to follow the night before surgery. These include:

• Nothing to eat or drink after midnight on the night prior to surgery
• Your primary care physician, or the anesthesiologist who you will see during your pre-operative assessment, will tell you whether or not to take your prescribed medications before surgery
• Aspirin, in most cases, should be stopped 7 days prior to surgery, and can be restarted 24 hours after

Post-Operative Instructions

• It is normal to have swelling and discomfort for several days or a week after surgery. Apply ice or use the cryocuff you were given to control swelling. If no cryocuff is available, then use ice in a plastic bag with a thin towel or T-shirt next to your skin. Ice should be applied 20 – 30 minutes at a time every hour or two. Icing is most important in the first 48 hours to decrease swelling, although most people find that continuing it lessens their post-operative pain.
• If you had a nerve block, the anesthetic may keep your arm numb for 18 – 24 hours. Do not get your arm near heat/stove/hot water, as this is a burn risk. YOU CANNOT FEEL PAIN in this arm while the nerve block is working, so you must be aware of this and protect it.
• Many patients find that lying down heightens their pain. Try sleeping in a recliner or propped up with pillows. A pillow placed under your elbow may also help.
• You may remove your post-operative dressing in 48 hours, but leave the steri- strips in place.
• If you had arthroscopic surgery, you may get he operative site wet in a shower. Do not rub soap or creams on the incisions. Do not submerge in a bath or pool.
• If you had open surgery you should wait 5 days to get your incision wet.
• Do not rub the incisions, just blot them dry.
• PUMP YOUR HAND AND MOVE YOUR ELBOW AND WRIST TO PREVENT STIFFNESS AND TO KEEP THE BLOOD FLOWING after your shoulder surgery
• DO NOT DRIVE or use alcohol while taking pain medications.
• Please be aware that the pain medications may cause constipation. If you notice this you may use any laxative you desire.
• We would like to see you back in the office within in 1 week. If you don’t have your first post-operative visit scheduled, call our office to make one (402-717-0820).
• Wear sling until Dr. Dubrow tells you not to.
• See your post-operative protocol handout, specific to your surgery, for additional information regarding sling use, physical therapy and return to activities. This protocol will be given to you either at the time of discharge from the hospital, or upon your first return visit to the office.

 

Sling Instructions

Sling and Swathe

The sling that you have consists of two parts: a sling and a swathe. The sling supports
your shoulder after surgery to help it heal. The swathe goes around your waist to help
keep your arm at your side, immobilizing it. The sling may be removed while in the
comfort of your home for activities such as eating (holding a knife, fork or spoon),
drinking, or reading a magazine. However, little motion away from your side should be
allowed. You should wear the sling and swathe when you are sleeping and when you go
outside your home. You should come out of the sling daily to move your elbow, wrist and
hand. NO LIFTING!

 

See your rehabilitation protocol specific to your surgery for duration of sling use.

 

Shower Instructions After Surgery

Replacement Surgery

 

Your dressing will be changed once during your hospital stay; usually the next day after
surgery. The dressing may be removed completely 5 days after surgery and you will find
that you have small steri-strips across your incision. In most cases your dressing will be
removed at the office upon follow-up. A shower may be taken on the fifth day following
surgery and the operative site can get wet. Do not rub any creams or lotions on the
incision. Pat or blot the incision dry. If you notice any redness around the incision site,
fevers, chills, or continued drainage please contact us. Do not submerge in a bath or pool
for at least 2 weeks after surgery.

 

Arthroscopic Surgery

 

Your dressing may be changed 24 – 48 hours after surgery. You may get your incisions
wet 48 hours after surgery in a shower. Do not submerge in a bath or pool for 2 weeks
following surgery. Do not rub the incision(s) just pat or blot them dry. Keep the incisions
covered with Band-Aids or a clean, dry bandage.