Preparing for surgery
The weeks before, the day of, and the first days at home.
What should I do before surgery to get ready?
Plan for help, not independence, in the first one to two weeks.
Arrange a ride home after the procedure, since you won't be able to drive yourself. Ask someone to be available for the first few days for things like groceries, stairs, and getting around the house, especially if your procedure involves a period of limited weight bearing on the treated foot. If you work on your feet, talk with your employer early about time off; desk work is often possible sooner than standing work. Dr. Tine's background includes a three year foot and ankle surgical residency at Adventist Health White Memorial in Los Angeles, where she served as Chief Resident, and her practice at Flamingo Foot & Ankle will walk you through a preparation plan specific to your procedure, whether that's reconstructive surgery, minimally invasive bunion correction, or minimally invasive hammertoe correction.
What should I bring with me on surgery day, and what should I stop taking beforehand?
Bring a photo ID, your insurance card, a list of current medications, and a prepared ride home.
As for what to stop taking, your surgical team will confirm the exact instructions for your situation, since this depends on your health history and the specific procedure. In general, patients are often asked to hold certain blood thinners and some supplements for a set number of days beforehand, and to stop eating and drinking by a specific time the night before. Follow the written instructions the office gives you rather than a general rule, and call if anything is unclear.
What happens on the day of surgery?
Most patients arrive, check in, and meet briefly with the surgical team before the procedure begins.
You'll confirm your medical history, the specific procedure planned, and the anesthesia approach. For foot and ankle procedures like the reconstructive and minimally invasive bunion and hammertoe surgeries Dr. Tine performs, the surgery itself is often completed within a few hours, and many patients go home the same day once they're alert and comfortable. Someone will need to be there to drive you home and stay with you that evening.
What is normal in the days after surgery?
Some swelling, bruising, and discomfort are expected and usually improve gradually over the first couple of weeks.
Pain is typically managed with the medication plan your surgical team provides, and elevating the foot above heart level helps reduce swelling. Depending on the procedure, you may be in a surgical shoe or boot and asked to limit weight on the foot for a period of time. These timelines vary by patient and by procedure, and your surgical team will give you a plan specific to your case rather than a fixed date.
What symptoms mean I should call the office right away?
Call if you notice increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or drainage at the surgical site, a fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit, or pain that isn't controlled by your prescribed medication.
Also call for new numbness, tingling, or a change in color or temperature of your toes. If you develop sudden calf swelling, chest pain, or shortness of breath, these can be signs of a blood clot and are a reason to go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 rather than waiting for a callback. For anything else that concerns you, Flamingo Foot & Ankle is the first call.
How do I reach Flamingo Foot & Ankle before or after surgery?
Call the office directly for any question, whether it comes up while you're preparing or during your recovery.
The office can also help confirm your pre-operative instructions, your follow-up visit schedule, and next steps if your plan changes. Flamingo Foot & Ankle is currently accepting new patients in Fort Lauderdale, and existing surgical patients should use the same office line for both routine questions and urgent concerns outside of true emergencies.
This page is for general educational purposes and does not replace guidance from your own surgical team. Always follow the specific instructions given to you for your procedure.
- 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
If Dr. Stephanie Tine has recommended surgery, this page is a starting point for getting ready, not a substitute for the specific instructions her office gives you. Dr. Tine practices at Flamingo Foot & Ankle in Fort Lauderdale, where her work centers on the foot and ankle: reconstructive surgery and the care of sports-related injury among them. She completed her Doctorate in Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt University's California School of Podiatric Medicine, then a three-year, hospital-based foot and ankle surgical residency at Adventist Health White Memorial in Los Angeles, where she served as chief resident.
What surgery actually involves depends on what is being corrected. Dr. Tine performs reconstructive foot and ankle surgery as well as minimally invasive bunion and hammertoe correction, and the preparation, the day itself, and the recovery that follows look different across those. What stays constant is the groundwork: knowing what to arrange at home before your procedure, what to expect when you arrive, and what to watch for once you're home. The sections below walk through each of those in turn. Your surgical team will tell you which details apply to your specific procedure, and this page does not replace that conversation.
This content is educational and is not a substitute for medical advice from your treating physician.
Ready to get back on your feet?
Call the office or request an appointment. Accepting new patients.