Before surgery.
Once your surgery is scheduled, our office will guide you through pre-operative requirements: lab work, imaging, medical clearance from your primary care doctor or cardiologist (if needed), and a pre-anesthesia visit. Most of this happens within the two to four weeks before your procedure.
Medications
Tell us about every medication and supplement you take, including over-the-counter products, vitamins, and herbal remedies. We will give you specific instructions about which medications to stop and when. As a general rule:
- Blood thinners (aspirin, Eliquis, Plavix, warfarin) — usually held 5–7 days before surgery, only with your prescribing doctor’s approval.
- Diabetes medications — adjusted the morning of surgery; we’ll give you specific instructions.
- Blood pressure medications — usually taken with a small sip of water the morning of surgery.
- Vitamins and supplements — stop 7 days before surgery unless told otherwise.
Eating and drinking
Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery — no food, no water, no coffee, no chewing gum. This is for your safety during anesthesia. Small sips of water with permitted morning medications are the only exception.
Tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis
Stop smoking and vaping at least 4 weeks before surgery if at all possible — it dramatically improves wound healing and reduces complications. Avoid alcohol for 48 hours before surgery and cannabis for 72 hours before.
Day of surgery.
What to bring
- A photo ID and your insurance card
- A list of current medications and dosages
- CPAP machine if you use one for sleep apnea
- Loose, comfortable clothing for going home
- A responsible adult to drive you home (required — no Uber or taxi)
What to leave at home
- Jewelry, watches, and valuables
- Contact lenses (wear glasses instead)
- Makeup, lotion, perfume, and nail polish
- Large amounts of cash
After surgery.
Recovery varies by procedure. For most minimally invasive operations, you’ll go home the same day or the morning after. Your surgeon — Dr. Shaw or Dr. Decio — will visit you in recovery and again before discharge to review what was done and what to expect.
Pain control
We use long-acting local anesthesia at the incisions to minimize the need for opioids. Most patients manage pain well with over-the-counter Tylenol and ibuprofen, alternating as directed. A small prescription for stronger medication is provided if needed but rarely required for more than a few days.
Activity
Walk early and often — starting the day of surgery. Avoid lifting more than 10 pounds for the first 1–2 weeks (longer for hernia and abdominal wall procedures, as your surgeon will specify). Most patients return to desk work within 5–7 days and full activity within 2–4 weeks.
Diet
Start with clear liquids and advance to a regular diet as tolerated. After foregut surgery (anti-reflux, hiatal hernia), follow the soft-diet schedule we provide for the first two to four weeks.
Incision care
You may shower 24–48 hours after surgery — let warm soapy water run over the incisions, pat dry, and leave them open to air. Avoid soaking in baths, pools, hot tubs, or the ocean for 2 weeks. Steri-Strips will fall off on their own; do not pull them off.
Frequently asked questions.
Will the surgeon I meet at consultation be the surgeon who operates?
Yes — always. Continuity of care is one of our core commitments. The surgeon who consults is the surgeon who operates and the surgeon who follows up.
What insurance do you accept?
We are in-network with most major insurance plans. Call our office to confirm coverage for your specific plan, and we’ll verify benefits before any procedure is scheduled.
Do you offer second opinions?
Yes. Second opinions are encouraged for any cancer diagnosis or major operation. We will review your imaging, pathology, and prior records, and provide an independent assessment of your treatment options.
How long does it take to be seen for a new consultation?
Most new patients are seen within one week. For urgent cases — newly diagnosed cancers, acute symptoms — we typically see patients within 24 to 48 hours. Call our office and we’ll find a time.
Can my family attend the consultation with me?
Absolutely. We encourage family members to come — surgical decisions are easier to think through with someone you trust in the room. Adult children, spouses, and caregivers are all welcome.
What languages do your surgeons speak?
Dr. Decio speaks English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Dr. Shaw practices in English. Our front office staff includes Spanish-speaking team members.
When to call us.
Call our office at (954) 755-0111 at any time after surgery if you experience any of the following:
- Fever above 101°F (38.3°C)
- Persistent or worsening pain not controlled by your prescribed medication
- Drainage, redness, or opening of an incision
- Nausea or vomiting that prevents you from keeping liquids down
- Calf pain or swelling, chest pain, or shortness of breath (call 911 first)
- Inability to urinate or have a bowel movement after several days
If you have chest pain, severe shortness of breath, uncontrolled bleeding, or any life-threatening emergency, call 911 first. Then call our office.