FAQ

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Where do I go for my pre-op appointment?
•  Most surgeries will be at the Alta Bates Medical Center in Berkeley.
•  The hospital will contact you first for preregistration and schedule your pre-op appointment.
•  On the day of your pre-op appointment, stop at the front desk and let them know you are     there for your pre-op studies. The pre-op clinic is on the first floor.
•  Please plan to park at the hospital parking lot for both your pre-op studies and your surgery.     Due to limited availability, parking at the office is reserved for office visits only. Thank you for     your understanding.
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What do I need to do to prepare for surgery?
•  Stop any anti-coagulants such as Coumadin and Plavix one week prior to surgery
•  Stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatories one week prior to surgery
•  The evening before your surgery, do not eat or drink (includes water) after midnight. If you     take a daily medication you may take it with a small sip of water two hours prior to surgery.
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What medications should I avoid?
You may take most of your daily medications except for blood thinners and anti-inflammatories. Medications that you may continue include blood pressure medication, thyroid medication and narcotic pain medication.
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Can I donate blood for my surgery?
Generally, blood transfusions are not necessary. However, if you would like to donate blood, you must first obtain orders from your primary care physician. Then contact the Red Cross at (408) 577-2000 at least two weeks before your scheduled procedure.
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After surgery, when do I need to see Dr. Tang?
In most cases, you will see the doctor two weeks after your surgery. After you leave the hospital, please call the office at (510) 841-8700 to schedule your first post-operative visit.
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What happens to my MRI/CT/Xray films?
Surgical patients: Before leaving the hospital, please inform the staff that you would like to take your films home.

Clinic patients: If you are not planning to have surgery, you may take your films with you after your appointment. You may also return to the office to pick up your films during our office hours.
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What if I have an emergency during the weekend?
If you have a life-threatening emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

If you recently had surgery and have an urgent issue that cannot wait until the next business day, you may call the office at (510) 841-8700 and press 03 for the doctor on call. Please resort to this for emergencies only.

If you have a question that can wait, you may call the office at 510-841-8700 and leave a message. Our staff will contact you on the next business day.

For medication refills, have your pharmacy fax the request to (510) 295-2651 and allow 2 business days for processing. Medication refills cannot be processed over the weekend, so please plan accordingly.
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What about disability forms?
For your convenience, California’s Claim for Disability Insurance Benefits Form is provided below. Fill out pages 1, 2 and 4 only, and Dr. Tang will complete page 3.

EDD requires original forms. Please mail or drop off all four pages to the office, along with a stamped envelope with the following address:

   EDD
   PO Box 1857
   Oakland, CA 94604

 EDD Disability Form