Preparing for surgery
The weeks before, the day of, and the first days at home.
What should I arrange before my surgery date?
You will need a ride home and someone available for the first day or two; most patients cannot drive themselves after anesthesia.
Plan time off work, childcare or pet care if needed, and a resting space at home that does not require much bending, lifting, or stair use. If your procedure involves your shoulder or elbow, clear away anything that would make one-handed tasks difficult, since those joints are often kept still or supported for a period afterward.
What should I bring, and what should I stop taking, before surgery?
Stop any medication only when your surgical team tells you to, and never on your own judgment; many patients are asked to pause blood thinners, certain supplements, or anti-inflammatory drugs in the days before surgery.
Bring a photo ID, your insurance card, a current list of medications, and a case for glasses or hearing aids if you use them. Your team will also confirm exactly when to stop eating or drinking beforehand.
What happens on the day of surgery?
Most patients go home the same day, after a period of monitoring in a recovery area once anesthesia wears off.
You will check in, change into a gown, and meet briefly with the anesthesia and surgical staff before the procedure begins. Plan for the full visit, including check-in and recovery time, to run longer than the surgery itself.
What is normal to feel after surgery?
Soreness, swelling, and limited motion are expected and not a sign anything is wrong.
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (2024), mild to moderate pain and stiffness around the surgical site is typical for the first one to two weeks and eases gradually as healing progresses. Patients recovering from shoulder or elbow surgery often notice stiffness outlasting pain, since these joints depend on a wide range of motion that returns gradually with guided therapy; Dr. Levongood completed fellowship training in sports medicine at The Hughston Clinic, and his team tracks motion alongside pain throughout recovery.
What symptoms after surgery should I call about right away?
Fever over 101°F, redness or warmth spreading from the incision, foul-smelling or cloudy drainage, sudden swelling in your calf or leg, chest pain, shortness of breath, or new numbness all warrant an immediate call rather than waiting for your next appointment.
These can signal infection, a blood clot, or another complication that needs prompt attention. Keep the practice's after-hours number somewhere easy to find during your first week home.
How do I schedule or ask questions about my upcoming surgery?
Call the office directly; Dr. Levongood's team, based at Northside Hospital Orthopedics - Sports Medicine in Lawrenceville, GA, handles scheduling, pre-operative questions, and medication clearance.
If another physician referred you, let the office know so your records transfer before your visit, since referral remains the main way patients reach this practice. The practice is accepting new patients.
This information is educational and does not replace guidance from your surgical team.
- 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.
Before your surgery
Preparing for surgery looks different for every patient, but a few basics apply no matter which procedure is ahead. Gary Levongood, MD, treats patients in Lawrenceville, GA, with particular focus on sports medicine, shoulder, and elbow care. He completed fellowship training in sports medicine at The Hughston Clinic. His training also includes residency in orthopedic surgery at St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center and medical school at the Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Health Sciences University.
This guide covers the general steps that come before and after a surgical procedure: arranging help at home, knowing what to bring on the day of surgery, understanding what the first days of recovery usually involve, and recognizing the signs that mean you should call your surgical team. Your surgical team will confirm the details that apply to your specific procedure; use this page as the general framework around those instructions.
Dr. Levongood's practice is currently accepting new patients.
Ready to talk about your care?
Call the office or request an appointment. Accepting new patients.