General Information

Dr. Kaplan typically performs surgery as an Outpatient (Same-Day) either at UCI Outpatient Surgical Services, located on the 3rd floor of the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCI Medical Center in Orange. Valet parking is available. Depending on the type of operation you have and your medical history, you may stay overnight for observation, pain control, or due to a late case.
Dr. Kaplan also performs surgery at Specialty Surgery Center of Irvine at 15825 Laguna Canyon Rd Suite 200, Irvine, CA 92618. The location of your surgery may be dependent on your insurance or the type of surgery. Please let him know if you have a preference for a certain facility.

Insurance Coverage: Our insurance authorization department will call for pre-certification with insurance if required. Please be advised that this process can take time. You should contact your insurance company directly with any questions regarding coverage and benefit information.

Medical Clearance

Depending upon the planned surgical procedure and your medical history, you may be required to undergo pre-admission testing, medical clearance, and/or obtain clearance from a specialist. This is typically not required for healthy patients younger than 50 years old undergoing outpatient surgery. You may be required to get labs or imaging prior to your surgery – if that is the case, please have these done 1 week before your surgical date.
If your primary care provider is outside the UCI network, please have the notes faxed to our office at 714-456-8711.
Cardiologist Clearance: may be required if you have cardiac stents, a pacemaker, history of an arrhythmias, have had any kind of heart surgery, or have had a heart attack.
Hematology Recommendations: may be requested if you have a personal history of blood clot (DVT or PE) or a strong family history of blood clots.
Smoking: Smoking is not only harmful to your heart and lungs, but significantly increases the chance that you develop a complication, such as a wound infection, after surgery. If you need help with quitting before your surgery, you can call 800-NO-BUTTS (800-662-8887).

Blood Thinners: If you take a blood thinner (Warfarin, Coumadin, Plavix, Clopidogrel, Aspirin, Heparin, Aggrenox, Lovenox, Enoxaparin, Xarelto, Rivaroxaban, etc.), you MUST have specific instructions from your prescribing physician regarding stopping and restarting of these medications. For smaller hand procedures you can continue taking these before and after surgery. In general, we recommended these medications be discontinued approximately 7-10 days prior to your planned procedure. Please follow your prescribing doctor’s recommendations.
Blood Pressure Medication: Continue to take your blood pressure medication unless instructed otherwise by your prescribing physician.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Certain medications for Rheumatoid Arthiritis will need to be discontinued. You may be able to continue methotrexate and prednisone but other biologics will need to be discontinued based on how long they are within your system. Dr. Kaplan will need to speak with your Rheumatologist.
Narcotics: If you are currently on a narcotic (Vicodin, Percocet, Oxycontin, etc), for pain control we would like to decrease your use prior to surgery. In order to provide better pain after surgery, it is best if you are no longer requiring narcotic pain medications.

Arrange Escort: Please make arrangements for a friend or family member to take you home.

Work/School: Make arrangements to take at least 1-2 weeks off work or school following surgery. Dr. Kaplan can provide you with a note if necessary.
Brace/Sling: If needed, you will be provided and fit with a brace or sling to wear after surgery in order to protect the surgical repair.

You will receive a call from Surgical Admissions informing you of your final and official time of your surgery. This call is usually made in the afternoon, anywhere from 2-7PM. Please note that changes/delays in your OR time may occur due to unforeseen circumstances.
Take a shower using the Hibiclens or chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) soap you received in your pre-operative packet. This is a special type of soap that kills germs and bacteria on contact. Make sure you apply the solution directly on your skin with the sponge, then rinse off afterwards. Do not apply lotion, cream, deodorant, makeup, powder, or perfume after your shower. Do NOT use if you have an allergy to chlorhexidine gluconate. If you have splint or cast in place due to a fracture, you will not be able to shower with the soap.
Do NOT eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery unless directed otherwise. This includes gum, candy, mints, alcohol, Gatorade, and orange juice. Clear liquids (water, tea, black coffee without milk or cream, fruit juices without pulp) are allowed up to 4 hours before your surgery. You need to be have a completely empty stomach for the safety of anesthesia.
If you take medications in the morning, please ask your doctor or anesthesiologist about whether or not to take these on the morning of surgery.

What to Bring:
- Photo ID and Insurance Card
- Glasses if you wear contact lenses
- List of your Medications
- Small Bag to store your personal items if you are staying overnight (will be securely stored during surgery)
- Telephone numbers of family member or friend
Dr. Kaplan will meet with you before surgery to confirm the planned procedure, answer any remaining questions, and mark the operative site with his initials.
Wide Awake Sugery: Dr. Kaplan may discuss the option of doing the procedure under local anesthesia only. If this option is selected no intravenous anesthetic will be used and you will be able to participate during the surgery. This type of surgery is very helpful for tendon repairs as well as avoiding some of the side effects of general anesthesia. You may wish to bring headphones during the surgery to help you relax.
Anesthesia: You will meet with the anesthesiologist prior to surgery and have the opportunity to ask questions about the type of anesthesia you will be receiving.
- Regional Anesthesia (nerve block): This is a technique where a portion of the patient’s body is rendered insensitive (numb) during surgery, like at the dentist’s office.
- General Anesthesia: is when you are completely asleep during the procedure, and require a breathing tube.
- Please let Dr. Kaplan or the anesthesiologist know if you are allergic or have had a bad reaction to pain medication or anesthesia in the past.

Recovery Room (PACU): The anesthesia team and nursing staff will monitor your postoperative care and your return to full awareness. Regardless of the type of anesthesia performed, you will stay at the hospital until your condition is stable and you are safe to leave.
Postoperative Instructions: You will be provided detailed postoperative instructions after surgery.
Prescriptions: You will be provided prescriptions for pain medication and any other required medications after surgery. Tylenol and advil are very helpful pain medications after surgery. For Dr. Kaplan's recommended dosing schedule, click here.
Discharge: In order to be considered safe to go home, you must be able to stand up and walk without feeling dizzy or lightheaded, tolerate food and drink, and be able to urinate.
Dr. Kaplan will speak with your family member or designated escort after surgery. Please let him know before surgery if anyone specific should also be contacted.
Dr. Kaplan will call you the day after surgery to go over the surgery and the postoperative plan.
First post-operative visit: Typically occur 10-14 days after surgery. If you do not already have an appointment, please call the office to arrange. Earlier appointments will be arranged for certain procedures.