Preoperative Instructions
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Published: Feb. 27, 2008
Updated: Feb. 27, 2008
These are general instructions for patients who are undergoing surgery. More detailed instructions will be given to you at your preoperative work up, which must be accomplished within 30 days prior to your surgery.
- In most cases you will not be able to eat or drink after midnight on the day of your surgery.
- If you take aspirin or ibuprofen products, such as Motrin, Advil, Aleve, BC Powders, or Goody powders, these must be discontinued six days prior to your surgery. These pain relievers cause thinning of the blood and can complicate the surgery, as well as cause excess bleeding. If you are on Coumadin, Warfarin, or some other blood thinner, including Plavix, please advise the doctor, as well as the health care workers in the preoperative area. These will also need to be discontinued in a planned fashion.
- Wear light and comfortable clothing, and leave your valuables at home. Please be advised that the specific time of your surgery is not determined until the day before. If for any reason you have a specific request regarding time of your surgery (e.g. travel time from a far distance), please mention this at the time you schedule your surgery. You will be called the afternoon or evening before your surgery to advise you of what time you should arrive for your surgery.
