Preparing For Your Surgery

Dr. Dyer operates at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital Waltham, and Newton Wellesley Hospital Outpatient Surgery Center (OSC). 

• Our staff will assist in determining the most appropriate place for your surgery. The location will be determined by several factors: the schedule availability at each location, the type of procedure, and medical considerations to keep you safe. We will also advise whether your age and medical condition require medical clearance before your procedure.
• For any scheduling questions, please call Teshina, Dr. Dyer’s assistant, at 617-732-6607

Many procedures are day surgery–even shoulder and elbow replacements.  Of course, sometimes additional days in the hospital can be necessary. We can help plan and advise for your circumstances.

• You will need to have a responsible adult to drive you home after you are discharged from your procedure.
• You and your companion should plan to take the entire day off to dedicate towards your care before, during, and after surgery.
• Call our office at 617-732-6607 if you develop a cough, cold, fever, nasal congestion or otherwise feel unwell.
• The office can advise you on the latest protocols for visitors during COVID-19.

Scheduling / Location

• To schedule your procedure, please call the office at 617-732-6607.  Make sure to specify that you are calling to schedule a procedure, not just an office visit.
• When scheduling, you will also need to schedule a post-operative visit for ~10days after the procedure. 
• Office procedures are done on Monday mornings at Faulkner Hospital (1153 Centre St. Jamaica Plain). 
• Please plan to arrive 15 min prior to your scheduled procedure time.

What to Bring / Wear

• You will need to remove all jewelry from the operative arm. 
• Plan to wear short sleeves, or a shirt that can be easily pushed or rolled up above the elbow.  Depending on your procedure/dressing, you may have trouble putting on a jacket with a very tight sleeve/cuff if it does not stretch.

Anesthesia / Pain Control 

• If you are scheduled for an office procedure, you will only receive local anesthetic.  The local anesthetic is painful when it is administered, but the pain only last ~30-60 seconds.  Your affected area will then be numb for several hours following the procedure.  If prescription pain medication is recommended post-operatively for your procedure, you will be provided this prescription on the day of the procedure.

Driving / Support Person

• Since you will only have local anesthesia, you are allowed to drive yourself home if you wish.  However, many people feel more comfortable getting a ride from a support person, given that the operative area will be quite numb after the procedure.

Post-Operative Care / Instructions

• You will receive written instructions on the day of surgery for your post-operative care.   You can also check the website at https://georgedyerortho.com/post-operative-care/ for helpful information on what to expect.

Paperwork / Forms

• Please visit www.georgedyerortho.com/forms instructions on expedited paperwork completion.  Alternatively, submit a form to Dr. Dyer’s Team by emailing to: patientForms@georgedyerortho.com.  Please plan for 5-7 business days for form completion.

A smooth process depends on communicating with you.

• Be sure that we have the best phone number for you by calling registration at 866-489-4056.
• If you are scheduled for a pre-operative phone screen in preparation for your upcoming procedure:
  • You will receive a call from a registered nurse (RN) at a date and time that will be given to you by our office.

• You may be asked to change or temporarily stop some medications before certain procedures.
• Please discuss all medication changes with your primary care doctor, rheumatologist, cardiologist, or other specialist before stopping.
• If you take Blood thinners, stop 1 week before surgery.
  • e.g. coumadin, plavix, eliquis
• You may continue to take Anti-inflammatory medications.
  • e.g. ibuprofen, naproxen
• If you are on Immunosuppressant medications, please contact the office.
  • e.g. methotrexate, enbrel
• Please contact the office with any questions.

• The operating room will call you with these details:
  • Procedure start time
  • When you should arrive
  • Be sure that we have the best phone number for you by calling registration at 866-489-4056.

• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery.
  • Doing so will lead to cancellation of your procedure
• You will be provided with a Hibiclens soap to use for showering before surgery.
  • Specific instructions will be provided

• Please wear a loose tank top, t-shirt, or button down shirt to accommodate for dressings/slings depending on your surgery.
• The office can advise you on the latest protocols for visitors during COVID-19.

• You will need an appointment 7-14 days after your surgery. 
• If you were not given an appointment on your discharge paperwork, please call our office at 617-732-6607 to schedule. 
• Dr. Dyer has practiced closely with his partner, Physician Assistant, Mallory Pingeton, PA-C, since 2013. Most post-operative appointments are with her, and Mallory is always in close communication with Dr. Dyer.