If you smoke, you need to stop smoking and be smoke free for at least two weeks prior to your surgery. Avoid secondhand smoke, nicotine patches, nicotine gum and all similar products. Smoking constricts your blood vessels and makes the healing process much more difficult, if not impossible in some cases. You must also be smoke free for four weeks after surgery.
Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen. Please review the list of medications to avoid. With your doctor's approval only, begin taking a multivitamin every day. Please do not take multivitamins with additional herbs such as ginkgo biloba, ginseng or St. John's wort.
Prescriptions will either be written or called in for you. Please fill these prior to your surgery and bring them with you.
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight. You may brush your teeth, but do not swallow any water. If you have medication that you HAVE to take, take it with only a tiny sip of water. Please be sure that your doctor is aware of all medications you are taking. Please review the list of medications to avoid.
The morning of your surgery, do NOT eat or drink and do not swallow water when brushing your teeth. If you have doctor approval for medications that must be taken, take them with only a tiny sip of water. You should shower with antibacterial soap. Do not wear contact lenses. Do not wear make-up or use creams, lotions, moisturizers, or perfume. Wear loose fitting clothes elastic waist pants and shirts that zip up the front. Be sure to leave all jewelry at home. Do not bring any valuables with you.
Please be at the hospital a full 60 minutes prior to your scheduled surgery time. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
For the best results, be sure to carefully follow your doctor's instructions for follow-up care after your procedure(s).
