Preparing For Surgery
One week prior to surgery, a nurse from the Surgery Center will call you and verify your medical history and give you specific pre-operative instructions. If you have not received this phone call one week prior to surgery, please contact us.
- Do not eat or drink anything including water after midnight of the day preceding surgery. Undigested food in the stomach can cause complications, and your surgery is likely to be postponed if you forget.
- Bath or shower the morning of surgery to minimize the chance of infection.
- Teeth may be brushed, but DO NOT swallow any water.
- Refrain from smoking after midnight on the day preceding surgery.
- If you suspect you are pregnant please notify your surgeon. Anesthesia and medications may be harmful to the developing fetus.
- If you experience any health changes between your most recent visit to your surgeon and the day of surgery, please notify your surgeon. Please report even minor changes, such as an elevated temperature, cough or cold.
- Leave your jewelry and other valuables at home.
- Wear casual loose clothing during surgery; you will wear a patient gown provided by the Surgery Center.
- Arrange for an adult to be at the surgery center during surgery and to drive you home. You should also arrange to have someone stay with you for the first night following your surgery.
- Limit the number of people who accompany you to the center. To maximize the comfort of all visitors, we suggest that adult patients be accompanied by only one person.
Helpful hints:
- Wear flat comfortable slip-on shoes
- Wear comfortable loose clothing to accommodate large dressings and/or tender surgery sites
- Arrange for care of your children for the 24 hours following surgery as you could feel drowsy for that period of time
