Preparing For Surgery - The Do's and Don'ts

Photo of a man preparing for surgery

We are here to help you prepare for surgery. Often you receive a large amount of information; this article is here to help you get confirmation and help answer additional questions.;

The Do’s

  • Do check with your doctor regarding which of your medications you should take the morning of your surgery.
  • Do be sure to check with your doctor about when to discontinue taking Plavix or any blood thinning medication.
  • Do arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours after surgery. If you do not have someone to drive you home, it may be necessary to cancel your surgery.
  • Do plan to bring glasses, hearing aids or any appliances your doctor has asked you to bring.
  • Do plan to wear loose, comfortable clothing. A shirt that buttons up the entire front is best. Either wear, or bring, loose fitting pants that are easy to put on.
  • Do remove all jewelry and leave at home.
  • Do plan to shower or bathe before your arrival. Please do not use any body lotions, oils or perfumes on the area where you will be having surgery.

The Don’ts

  • Do not drink alcohol after 6 p.m. the day before surgery.
  • Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery. This includes water, coffee, gum, or mints. If you do, it may be necessary to cancel your surgery.
  • Do not smoke or use chewing tobacco after midnight the night before your surgery.
  • Do not take aspirin, coumadin, or any anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, naproxyn, or celebrex. Also, do not take Vitamin E. If you take these or any other over the-counter medications regularly, call your doctor to see when and if you should stop taking them. This includes vitamin supplements.

For Children and Developmentally Disabled Patients

  • Do check with the patient’s doctor or Same day Surgery Registered Nurse to see what food or drink is allowed the night before surgery.
  • Be sure that a parent or legal guardian will be there on surgery day to sign the consent form. The legal guardian will need to bring proof of guardianship.
  • The parent or legal guardian will need be able to stay in the surgery waiting area during the surgery and recovery period. This is so the surgeon or staff can speak with them if necessary.
  • Please make childcare arrangements for other children, if necessary.

We hope this resource helps put your mind at ease and feel prepared for your procedure. Our highly skilled and highly competent surgical teams at Portnuef Medical Center are here with you every step of the way. To learn more about the department of surgery at Portneuf, visit our surgery web page.