TAB Surgery

tab surgery

What Is Temporal Arteritis?

Temporal arteritis is a condition in which the temporal arteries, which supply blood to the head and brain, become inflamed or damaged. It is also known as cranial arteritis or giant cell arteritis (GCA). Although this condition usually occurs in the temporal arteries, it can occur in almost any medium to large artery in the body. Although the exact cause of the condition is unknown, it may be linked to the body’s autoimmune response. A TAB procedure could be the right option for you.

The symptoms of temporal arteritis can include:

  • Double Vision
  • Sudden, Permanent Loss Of Vision In One Eye
  • A Throbbing Headache That’s Usually In The Temples
  • Fatigue & Weakness
  • Loss Of Appetite
  • Jaw Pain, Which Sometimes Can Occur With Chewing
  • Fever
  • Unintentional Weight Loss
  • Shoulder Pain, Hip Pain & Stiffness
  • Tenderness In The Scalp & Temple Areas
tab surgery
Women in eye clinic getting eye measured

If temporal arteritis isn’t treated, serious, potentially life-threatening complications can occur, including vision loss, eye muscle weakness, aneurysms, and stroke.

An easy way to diagnose temporal arteritis is to perform a temporal artery biopsy. This is done as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia. Dr. Ashenhurst takes a small sample of the temporal artery, leaving only a small scar on your temple.

Contact Numbers:

Main Office: 403-244-2500

Surgical Center: 403-252-3937 Option 4

Health Link: 811

Holy Cross Surgical Center

Unit 101, 2210 2 St SW,Calgary, Alberta T2S 3c3

We perform the TAB surgery procedure at the Holy Cross Surgical Center. The easiest way to get to the surgical center is to from Macleod Trail. From Macleod Trail turn west onto 25 Ave SW followed by a right turn onto 2 St sw. The Holy Cross will be on your right-hand side. There is a paid lot in the front of the building, and paid street parking can be found throughout the neighborhood. Please proceed to the third first floor unit 101 to check in at the surgical desk..

Pre-operative Instructions FOR TAB SURGERY

DO NOT EAT ANY SOLID FOOD OR MILK PRODUCTS FOR A MINIMUM OF 10 HOURS BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE. CLEAR FLUIDS (apple juice, water, black tea or black coffee) ARE ALLOWED UP TO 3 HOURS BEFORE YOUR SCHEDULED SURGERY TIME. Gum, candy, cream, orange juice, and sugar are considered food products. You must be fasting even if we are planning to use a local anesthetic. If you eat, your surgery will be cancelled, and a no-show fee will apply.

General warning: Smoking causes poor healing and should be avoided.

You must not drive or take the bus from your surgery. Please arrange to have someone there to pick you up and take you home after your surgery.

DO continue taking prescribed medications, including blood pressure pills, on the day of surgery. Diabetic medication that needs to be taken with food will need to be taken after surgery. We will arrange surgery for diabetics in the morning to ensure you are not fasting too long.

Blood thinners (ASA, Warfarin, Pradaxa, Xarelto) are usually discontinued one week before surgery – please contact your prescribing doctor to make a specialized plan for you. Other blood thinners such as Vitamin E, Ginko Biloba, ginger, garlic, Advil, Motrin, Naproxen, and green tea need to be discontinued a week before surgery.

Note: Tylenol is NOT a blood thinner and can be taken as needed pre-operatively.

Please remove ALL make-up prior to your surgery and arrive with a clean face on the day of surgery. It is best to wash your face with soap on the day of surgery, and it is okay to apply a light moisturizer. You will not be changing into a robe, so please wear something you are comfortable laying down in.

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