FAQs

You can contact your physician’s office during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.) or the physician on call after hours. Business Hours: Call the office at phone #785-261-7599 or 866-428-8221 After Hours: Urgent matters call 785-623-5000 or 1-800-248-0073

You should contact your physician if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Fever greater than 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit
• Redness, swelling, drainage from the wound
• New numbness (other than that expected from surgery – see below), weakness, difficulty walking
• Pain that is severe and uncontrolled despite pain medication given after surgery. Many patients continue to have the same pain symptoms that they had before surgery. It may take several weeks for the symptoms to improve.

It is normal and expected to have some pain after surgery. You will have some pain around the incision (in the back or neck) and radiating nerve pain and numbness (in the leg or arm) until the swollen nerve has a chance to recover.

Everyone responds differently to pain. You and your physician will discuss a pain medication plan based on your pain level and your response to medications.

You will receive specific instructions at discharge from your provider.

You will be off of work for approximately 4-6 weeks. If your job is physically demanding, you may have restrictions for up to 12 weeks. However, if you have flexible work hours and no physical demands, you may be able to return to work within 2-4 weeks, depending on how you feel.

In general, you may resume driving 7-10 days after surgery, as long as you are comfortable. You should not drive long distances (longer than 45 minutes) for up to 4 weeks or until you feel capable of doing so. If you need to drive a long distance (between 4 and 8 weeks after surgery) as the driver or passenger, then you should take short breaks or walk every 90 minutes or so. It is strongly recommended that you not drive your car while taking narcotic pain medications or muscle relaxants.

By policy, all Hays Medical Center clinics charge $25 to complete forms requested by patients. Payment is required in advance, so please bring the $25 with you when you drop off the form. Our providers/nurses will not be able to complete the requested forms during your scheduled visit. However, once completed, our office will contact you. We are happy to mail you the forms (If mailed – we can only mail them directly to you), or you are welcome to pick them up.

Our Patient Services Department will contact your insurance carrier to authorize your surgery, If there is any problem with your insurance, we will work with them to authorize your surgical procedure. We recommend that you contact your insurance company to review your benefits with them for your own understanding.

FAQs En Español