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424-835-3100
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Encino/San Fernando Valley
Marina Del Rey
Las Vegas
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Encino/San Fernando Valley
Marina Del Rey
Las Vegas
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Marina Del Rey
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Encino/San Fernando Valley

Conveniently located in the First Financial Plaza on the second floor.

Explore Office

Encino/San Fernando Valley

Conveniently located in the First Financial Plaza on the second floor.

Explore Office
After hour urgent matters, please call

310-574-0400

Emergencies, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
FAQs

Find Answers to Common Post-Operative Care Questions

You will receive a call from our nurse practitioner and the facility the day following surgery to see how you are doing, if you have any concerns and answer any questions.

If you are in a rehabilitation facility, Dr. Macyszyn will see you after you have been discharged unless deemed necessary to be seen during your stay.

At approximately 1 week post-surgery You will have a wound check appointment with the nurse practitioner. Your incision will be examined, and x-rays may be ordered to be obtained prior to your post-operative visit with Dr. Macyszyn.

At approximately 3 weeks post-surgery You will have an appointment with Dr. Macyszyn Your incision will be examined, and x-rays will be reviewed (if applicable).

At 3 months – a post-operative appointment will be scheduled. X-rays may be needed.

Please contact us if you are experiencing any of the following …

  • A fever of 101 degrees or higher
  • Increase in redness at the incision site
  • Increase in the amount of drainage at the incision site
  • Severe pain, numbness, weakness, or tingling
  • Problems urinating or controlling bowel movements
  • Increased swelling of the ankles or feet
Non-Urgent Calls

If it is the weekend or after hours, please call 424-835-3100

Emergent/Urgent Calls

Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.

Showers are fine once the patient is home.

Incision(s): Most incisions will be covered with a Dermabond, a topical skin adhesive.

  • Do not soak or scrub the incision.
  • Pat dry
  • Apply clean dressing, if needed. 

Showers are fine once the patient is home.

DO NOT submerge in standing water for 30 days after surgery – bath, swimming, and hot tubs due to the risk of infection.

Let pain be your guide, if it hurts, don’t do it.

LIMIT BLT (bending, lifting, twisting), for 6 weeks.

NO Pushing or pulling anything greater than a gallon of milk, which weighs about 8 pounds, for 6 weeks.

Many typical household responsibilities require bending or lifting and should NOT be attempted.

  • Yard work, cleaning the house and washing dishes fall in this category.
  • Bagged dog food, cat litter, and items from big-box stores may be over the 8-pound limit.

Using paper plates and placing needed kitchen items in easy reach on the counter may be helpful.

Most people do not need help with bathing and dressing, but situations vary.

It may be easier to wear shirts that have zippers or buttons up the front, rather than those that go on over the head, for this initial recovery period.

Let pain be your guide, if it hurts, don’t do it.

Climbing stairs is allowed unless it’s uncomfortable.

Sexual activity is usually allowed in the second week if it doesn’t cause discomfort.

Physical Therapy will be determined at your 3week visit with Dr. Macyszyn

Walk as much as you can and as early as you can after surgery.

You may gradually increase the amount of walking to whatever distance your body can tolerate.

There is no limit but please listen to your body and stop if it causes pain.

NO swimming, use of elliptical/Stairmaster exercises for 4-6 weeks, unless directed by your physician’s office. Further exercises/physical therapy and return to work will be discussed with your physician’s office on your postoperative follow-up visit.

Rest is important but too much standing, sitting, or lying down can lead to stiffness.

Stiffness can be eased by changing positions at least once an hour.

Initially, some patients may find it more comfortable to sleep in a reclining position.

If so, pillows may be used to prop up the upper back and shoulders in an inclined position, or the patient can try sleeping in a recliner or an adjustable bed.

Sleeping on the side or back is recommended versus sleeping on the stomach.

Adding a pillow between the knees when sleeping on the side, or under the legs when sleeping on the back may be helpful.

It is not required to wear your back brace or cervical collar to sleep.

Operating a motor vehicle is not permitted while taking narcotics or muscle relaxants.

Patients who feel comfortable and are not taking narcotics are permitted to drive after about 7 days from the date of surgery.

Patient’s that require a cervical collar are not permitted to drive with the collar on. You may ride as a passenger in a vehicle at any time after surgery.

We do not impose travel restrictions, however cross country or intercontinental flights are not recommended for at least 72hours after surgery.

Riding in a car is allowed, but we recommend wearing your brace (if provided) for comfort for the first 3 months.

If it’s necessary to ride in a car for long durations (more than 2 hours for the first 7-14 days), stopping and stretching is recommended every 60 minutes to prevent stiffness.

Returning to work will depend largely on your recovery as well as the type of surgery performed. Some may even be able to return to work as early as 3 or 4 days after surgery, average is roughly 2-3 weeks. The physician’s office should be consulted on when to return to work and if any work modifications are required.

Narcotic pain medication is prescribed to help reduce the pain in the first 1 to 4 weeks after surgery. Because narcotic medications can be addictive and cause side effects such as nausea and constipation, it is best to avoid using them for an extended time. Please taper off narcotic medications gradually as it may cause adverse side effects including depression.

Cyclobenzaprine – A muscle relaxant used to treat muscle spasms or tightness.

Extra Strength Tylenol* – A common, household oral pain medication. This will be given through an IV during the surgery and can be continued at home after the surgery. You can take up to 3500mg over 24 hours.

Medrol Dosepak – This steroid pack can be prescribed if you experience an increase in pain following surgery. This medication acts as an anti-inflammatory and will help assist in relieving any post-op swelling or inflammation.

Ice – Pain relief is not limited to medication. Ice packs applied for 15 to 20 minutes each hour for 4 consecutive hours may provide significant improvement in symptoms for the first 2 weeks. An ice pack may be especially helpful after any activity-related pain. A towel or other cloth should be placed between the ice and skin to prevent ice burn on the skin. You may continue to use ice after surgery if you continue to experience pain or swelling.

 

*Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, is the usual choice when narcotic pain relievers are stopped. Patients should check before taking any acetaminophen, however, as several narcotic medications also contain acetaminophen and too much can cause liver damage. Please do not exceed >3500mg acetaminophen over 24 hours.

It is common to experience post-surgery symptoms like your pre-surgery symptoms due to residual swelling and nerve inflammation from surgery. This recurrence of nerve irritation will fluctuate but should decrease in intensity and frequency as the weeks pass. It is common to have these symptoms occur up to 6 weeks after surgery.

Walking as tolerated, drinking water, and adding fiber rich foods- such as beans, bran, cereal, fruits, and vegetables- can help prevent constipation.

Many patients also need to use stool softeners/laxatives at this stage. Please purchase these from your local pharmacy prior to surgery.

All letters and forms requested may be subject to a processing fee.

No charge for the following:

  • State Disability Forms (EDD) – must be submitted ONLINE ONLY
  • Employer Disability Forms
  • Work Letter – time off/return to work

Letters

  • $50.00 for initial form requiring detailed information provided by Dr. Macyszyn
  • $15.00 for renewals/extensions
  • Allow 5-7 business days for completion.
  • Same day requests cannot be accommodated.
  • Fees must be paid in advance.
  • Requests may be denied if deemed not medically necessary or outside the scope of the practice.

 

After hour urgent matters, please call

310-574-0400

Emergencies, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

Still Have Questions?

Surgery Scheduling Questions
including pre-operative clearance and disability forms, please contact:
Jayanne Dela Rosa | Robyn Tiomico
Medical Related Questions
including prescriptions, please contact:
Alexis Bolton
Appointment & General Questions
including prescriptions, please contact:
Teresa Francisco | Jayanne Dela Rosa

Looking for information on pre-surgery planning?

Check out our pre-appointment instructions page.
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About Us

Get to Know Dr. Luke Macyszyn

With Dr. Macyszyn, you’re in excellent hands. Discover more about our Southern California Super Doctor and his commitment to top-tier neurosurgical care.

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Schedule a Consultation
Encino/San Fernando Valley
Marina Del Rey
Las Vegas
424-835-3100
Schedule a consultation
Encino/San Fernando Valley
Marina Del Rey
Las Vegas
Schedule a Consultation
Encino / San Fernando Valley
Marina Del Rey
Call Today
Schedule A Consultation
Schedule a consultation
Encino/San Fernando Valley
Marina Del Rey
Las Vegas
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