Pre-Procedure Information

Please follow all instructions carefully.
If you have any questions, you may call our office at 852-1977.

SOMEONE MUST DRIVE YOU HOME AFTER YOUR PROCEDURE!

If pre-testing is required you will be contacted for an appointment.

Eating
Do not eat any solid food after midnight on the night before your procedure. You may drink clear liquids.

Medications
Most people can continue to take their prescribed medicines, with the following exceptions:

• If you are diabetic and take insulin, ask your doctor about modifying your insulin dose for the day of your procedure.
• If you take Glucophage or Glucovance, DO NOT take it on the morning of the procedure or 48 hours after your procedure. Your personal physician must be notified of the test and the need to stop the medication. A blood test is required before resuming the medication.
• If you take a blood thinner such as Coumadin or Plavix you must stop this medication 5 days prior to the procedure.
• If you take a blood thinner such as Lovenox you must stop this medication
  24 hours prior to the procedure.
• If you are taking any anti-inflammatory medications you must stop this medication 10 days prior to your procedure.

Allergies

If you are allergic to contrast (X-ray dye) or iodine, call our office at 852-1977 for further instructions. We can then plan to take precautions for the procedure by prescribing medications prior to the procedure.

Blood Tests

Testing is usually done one week before the Discogram. If you take a blood thinner such as Coumadin you must notify our office at 852-1977.

THE DAY OF THE PROCEDURE
You may need to remove your jewelry and any dentures or partials.
PLEASE LEAVE YOUR VALUABLES AT HOME.

Before your procedure, you will dress in a hospital gown and an intravenous (IV) line will be placed in one of your veins. The IV will be used to give you fluids and medicines during the procedure and it will stay in place until you go home. You will stay in the hospital for six to eight hours after the angiogram is completed. After this observation period, you will be allowed to go home.

There are many steps necessary to complete your procedure on your scheduled day. This may involve some unexpected delays such as in house emergencies. Please be patient with us as we strive to provide the best service and results for all of our patients. It is best to plan on spending the whole day here at the hospital so you do not encounter other conflicts.

SOMEONE MUST DRIVE YOU HOME AFTER YOUR PROCEDURE!