RELIEFCALL · SPN-7704
Your surgery instructions
Your eating and drinking clock
Surgery starts at Oct 22, 2026, 8:00 AM. Arrive at Oct 22, 2026, 6:00 AM.
Stop solid food at Oct 22, 2026, 2:00 AM. Stop all drinks at Oct 22, 2026, 4:00 AM.
Stop fried or fatty meals at Oct 22, 2026, 12:00 AM.
Carbohydrate drink
Drink one carbohydrate drink, 400 mL (about 13 oz). Finish the carbohydrate drink by Oct 22, 2026, 4:00 AM. That is 2 hours before you arrive. Do not drink anything after the stop-drinks time.
Blood thinner or antiplatelet
Planned last dose of Apixaban: Oct 19, 2026, 8:00 AM. Confirm this date with your surgeon. Do not stop it earlier or later on your own.
NSAID pain medicine
You may take your usual NSAID, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or celecoxib, unless your surgeon named a different plan. You do not need a 7-day stop.
What to bring
Photo ID, your medication list, and a plan for a ride home after Posterior lumbar fusion.
Bring glasses and hearing aids.
Movement before surgery
There is not a full prehab window. Do what you can: walk, take 10 deep breaths several times a day, and eat protein.
After surgery
The team will help you drink, eat, and get out of bed early, unless they tell you a specific limit. This sheet does not replace the order your surgeon writes.
This is teaching material for a demo case. Your surgeon’s written instructions win if they differ.