Most of the procedures recommended by the Helm Center are outpatient procedures.

Eating and Drinking. We request that you not eat or drink anything for four hours before a procedure.

Medication, including pain medication and blood thinners. If you take blood thinners, we ask that you stop them before the procedure. Coumadin should be stopped three (3) days before the procedure. We may obtain a clotting study (a PT and INR) to ensure that your blood levels are low enough. Plavix or Aspirin should be stopped one week before the procedure.

Always check with the physician prescribing your blood thinner that it is safe for you to be off it for that length of time. Sometimes, the risk of being off the medication is too great to warrant doing the procedure. In rare cases, we can start heparin to replace the other blood thinner.

You may take your other medications, including pain medications, with a sip of water, according to your regular schedule.

Clothing. Wear comfortable clothing. If you are having a low back procedure, an elastic waistband is often convenient.

Getting to and from the procedure. Do you need a driver? If you are receiving sedation, you must have someone drive for you. If you do not receive sedation, then you may drive yourself.

We cannot send you home in a taxicab unless you are accompanied by a responsible adult.