The Day Before Surgery

• Drink eight to ten glasses of water throughout the day.
• Please refrain from or reduce cigarette smoking 12 hours before surgery. Smoking increases stomach secretions that lead to nausea after surgery. Not smoking improves the oxygen supply in your blood.
• We recommend that you arrive an hour and a half before your scheduled appointment. To ensure a timely arrival, it’s always a good idea to confirm your departure time with the person bringing you to the hospital or clinic.

The Evening Before Surgery

• Do not eat any food or drink any fluids, including hard candy, mints, cough drops, gum and water, after midnight. This helps prevent complications during and after the surgery.
• Eat a light dinner unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. Avoid spicy and greasy foods.
• Take a shower or bath.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages the evening and night before surgery. Alcohol is known to decrease stomach emptying, leading to post-operative vomiting.

The Day of Surgery

• Take a shower or bath on the day of surgery if you did not take one the evening before.
• Brush your teeth the morning of surgery but do not swallow water. Good hygiene helps to prevent post-operative wound infections.
• Take only the medicine prescribed by your physician with a small sip of water when you get up.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing to the hospital. Wear loose, comfortable clothing to the hospital. You may want to bring pajamas and a robe to wear home.
• Do not apply make-up.
• Remove polish from fingernails and toenails.
• Remove contact lenses, hairpieces and all piercings.
• Leave your valuables such as money, jewelry, watches and rings at home.
• Bring a pillow and a blanket for the ride home.
• Arrive at the hospital 1 hour and 30 minutes before the time of your surgery. Report to the east main entrance.
• If you are remaining in the hospital following your surgery, leave your suitcase in the car and arrange to have it brought to you once you are in your assigned room.
• Drinks and light snacks are permitted in both the outpatient and inpatient waiting rooms. Please keep in mind, however, that there are patients waiting for surgery who are not permitted to eat or drink anything. Therefore we ask that you limit your snacks to foods such as crackers, pretzels, cookies and other snacks that do not have a strong aroma.
• A canteen is available for the convenience of the person accompanying you.
• For the comfort and convenience of other patients and their families, please speak softly and keep the waiting area quiet.