Some Really Important Do's and Don'ts if you are going to have surgery......
Things to Do and Not to Do Before Surgery
Eating and Drinking
Eat a light dinner the evening before your surgery. Do not drink alcoholic beverages. Do not smoke, eat or drink anything (including water) after midnight on the day your surgery is scheduled. There are special eating/ diet instructions for endoscopy and colonoscopy patients. Please follow the instructions that were given to you by your physician.
Smoking
It is strongly encouraged that you stop smoking. This will reduce your risk of respiratory and anesthesia complications after your operation. You may want to speak with your primary care physician about smoking cessation programs.
Alcohol
Drinking alcohol can greatly affect the outcome of your surgery.
Medications
If you are staying overnight, please bring your mediations with you to the hospital or sugery center. Bring with you a list of all prescribed and over-the-counter medications you take, including dosage and strength. Check with your surgeon or anesthesiologist about which medications to take on your day of surgery.
If you are advised to take your medication, swallow only the smallest amount of water and inform the anesthesiologist or the nurse on the day of surgery.
Diet Pills
You MUST stop all diet pills 7 days prior to surgery or you surgery will be canceled. Diet pills combined with anesthesia can lead to a life-threatening reaction which can be very difficult to treat.
If You Take Coumadin
If your surgeon tells you to stop taking Coumadin before surgery, you must contact the doctor who monitors your Coumadin and get approval before you stop taking any doses.
Patients with Diabetes
On the morning of surgery, do not take your insulin or diabetic pill but bring it with you. If your arrival time is after 9 a.m. or you are not feeling well, immediately notify the check-in personnel that you are an insulin dependent diabetic. Also, if you take insulin and need to take a bowel prep the day before surgery, check with your medical doctor about insulin doses.
Patients with Asthma
Bring your inhalers with you to the hospital. If needed, you may use your inhaler as directed by your physician.
Nail polish, nail tips, wraps, gels, etc.
All nail polish should be removed before your arrival for surgery. We understand that tips, wraps, gels, etc., are expensive; however, we ask these products be removed from at least one finger on each hand (preferably the index or middle finger). This will be used to accurately monitor your oxygen level during surgery.
Clothing
You will be most comfortable in loose-fitting, easily folded clothing and low-heeled shoes. For your convenience, lockers are available.
Valuables
Your family will be responsible for your valuables. Jewelry (including body piercings), money and credit cards should be left at home.
Hearing Aids
Patients who rely on hearing aids should wear them to the hospital on the day of surgery so that you can hear and understand everything we need to communicate with you.
Dentures
You will be asked to remove all non-permanent dental work before your surgery. Please bring a denture cup with you to the surgery center.
Contact lenses
Wear glasses when possible. If contact lenses must be worn, bring your lens case and solution. If glasses are worn, bring a case for them.
Hair
Wear your hair loose, avoiding the use of clips, or pins and bands that bind hair. Do not use hair spray. A head cover will be provided on the way to the operating room to contain hair.
Wigs and hairpieces
Before going to surgery, patients are asked to remove wigs and hairpieces and are given a head cover to wear.
Makeup and perfume
Makeup and perfume should not be worn the day of surgery.
Creams, lotions, deodorants
Creams and lotions should not be worn on the day of surgery. A light application of deodorant is permissible.
In Case of Illness
If you develop a cold, persistent cough, sore throat, fever or any other illness within two days of surgery, your surgeon needs to be notified. Call your surgeon’s office.
