Preparing for Surgery
The weeks before, the day of, and the first days at home.
- 01Request a visitCall the office or use the booking link to choose a time.
- 02Bring your recordsImaging, prior reports and a medication list help make the first visit useful.
- 03Examination and discussionAn exam and a plain explanation of what is going on.
- 04Decide togetherThe options are laid out so you can choose the plan that fits.
Do I need someone to drive me home after surgery?
Yes. You will not be allowed to drive yourself home, and anesthesia makes it unsafe even if you feel alert.
Arrange a ride in advance, and ask that person to stay with you for the first evening after surgery. If you live alone, plan for someone to check in the next morning as well. Because many of Dr. Robinson's patients are having knee or hip surgery, moving safely around the house in that first day matters as much as the ride itself: clear walkways, remove loose rugs, and set up a space to rest on the main floor if stairs will be difficult at first.
Should I stop taking my medications before surgery?
Not on your own. Your surgical team will tell you exactly which medications to pause, which to continue, and when to restart each one, based on your health history and the medications you take.
Blood thinners, certain supplements, and some diabetes medications commonly need adjustment before knee or hip surgery, but the timing varies by person. Bring a full list of your medications, including over the counter products and supplements, to your pre-surgery visit so the team can confirm the plan directly with you.
What happens on the day of surgery?
You will arrive several hours before your scheduled time, check in, and change into a surgical gown.
A nurse will confirm your medical history and the surgery you are having, and you will meet the anesthesia team before being taken to the operating room. Afterward, you will wake in a recovery area where staff monitor you as the anesthesia wears off. Someone from your surgical team will update your driver or family once you are settled, and depending on the surgery and your health, you will typically go home the same day or stay briefly for monitoring.
Is swelling normal after surgery?
Yes. Some swelling and bruising around the surgical site is common in the days afterward, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
For knee and hip surgery, mild swelling, stiffness, and discomfort with movement typically ease over the first one to two weeks as you follow your rehabilitation plan. Icing, elevation, and the activity limits your surgical team gives you help keep swelling manageable. What is not normal is swelling that keeps increasing rather than easing, or swelling paired with any of the warning signs below.
What symptoms after surgery mean I should call right away?
Call your surgical team immediately for a fever over 101°F, redness or warmth spreading from the incision, drainage that is thick or foul smelling, or pain that suddenly worsens instead of improving.
Also call right away for calf swelling, chest pain, or shortness of breath, which can signal a blood clot and need prompt evaluation. Numbness, tingling, or a color change in the operated leg is another reason to call rather than wait and see. Your discharge paperwork lists the direct number for Dr. Robinson's office and the after hours line to use for any of these symptoms.
How do I schedule my pre-surgery visit?
Call the office directly; Dr. Robinson's New York practice is accepting new patients.
Dr. Robinson completed residency training at Mount Sinai Health System and fellowship training in orthopedics at Lenox Hill Hospital, and he is affiliated with BronxCare Health System. The pre-surgery visit is where your surgical team reviews your medications, answers questions about the day of surgery, and confirms the specific instructions for your knee or hip procedure.
This page is educational and is not a substitute for medical advice from your surgical team.
Before your surgery
Preparing for knee or hip surgery means planning ahead at home, knowing what the day of your procedure will look like, and understanding which symptoms afterward need a call to your surgical team. This page covers those three parts for patients of Dr. Jonathan Robinson, whose orthopedic practice in New York, NY focuses on knee and hip care.
Arrange a ride home and someone to stay with you for the first day or two. If your surgery involves your knee or hip, moving around your house safely matters more than usual: clear walking paths, move frequently used items to waist height, and consider a sturdy chair with armrests for the first week. Talk with your employer about time off, since knee and hip procedures often involve a period of limited weight bearing or limited driving.
Your surgical team will confirm exactly which medications to pause before surgery and when, including blood thinners and certain supplements. They will also tell you what to bring on the day: a photo ID, your insurance card, and a list of current medications. Do not stop or adjust any medication on your own before your team confirms the plan with you.
You will check in, change into a gown, and meet briefly with your surgical and anesthesia team to confirm the plan one more time. From there you are taken back for the procedure, then moved to a recovery area where nurses monitor you as the anesthesia wears off. Most patients preparing for knee or hip surgery are encouraged to sit up and, when cleared, take a few supported steps before discharge.
Some swelling, bruising, and soreness around the knee or hip are expected in the days after surgery. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (2024), many patients stand and begin walking with support on the same day as knee or hip surgery, with activity increasing gradually under their surgical team's guidance. Pain is typically managed with a combination of medication and rest, elevation, and ice as directed.
Call Dr. Robinson's office if you notice a fever above 101°F, redness that is spreading around the incision, drainage that increases rather than decreases, or swelling that gets worse instead of better. Call your office right away, or go to the nearest emergency room, if you have chest pain, shortness of breath, or sudden calf pain or swelling, since these can signal a blood clot and need urgent evaluation. When in doubt about a symptom, call rather than wait.
Dr. Jonathan Robinson completed his residency at Mount Sinai Health System and fellowship training in Orthopedics at Lenox Hill Hospital, with a practice focus on knee and hip conditions. He is affiliated with BronxCare Health System. Your surgical team will confirm where your specific procedure takes place and answer any questions particular to your knee or hip surgery.
If anything in this guide is unclear, or if your symptoms change before your scheduled date, contact Dr. Robinson's office directly rather than waiting for your next visit.
This information is educational and does not replace guidance from your surgical team. Your team will confirm instructions specific to your procedure.
Ready to talk about your care?
Call the office or request an appointment. Accepting new patients.