If you smoke, stopping for even a few days or weeks can help make the anesthesia safer and easier to recover from.  Also, healing after surgery may be improved if you can cut down or eliminate this habit.

Discontinue blood thinners such as Plavix or Coumadin 5 to 7 days prior to surgery.  Please discuss this if you have any questions or concerns about stopping these prescription medications.

 

Please arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery.

 

	Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night prior to your surgery.
	Morning of Surgery: Take routine medications with a small sip of water, especially medications to control high blood pressure.  However, do not take any medication to control your sugar level if you are diabetic.  Please bring all your medications with you.  If you have any questions or concerns about taking your medications prior to surgery, please feel free to call and discuss them well prior to the day of surgery. If you have crutches, brace, or cooling unit, bring them with you.  Otherwise, supplies typically needed for post-operative care will be issued at the time of discharge . Do not bring any valuables. Remember not to eat breakfast or even drink coffee.
	In the admission area you will: Change into a surgical gown. Be interviewed by a nurse. Be interviewed by an anesthetist.
	After Surgery: You will be taken to the post anesthesia recovery area for approximately one to two hours.  If you are an outpatient, you will go to the observation area for an hour or two prior to leaving.  If you are being admitted, you will be taken to your hospital room after the time in the recovery area. You will be given instructions regarding activity, exercises, dressing care, etc. prior to being discharged to go home. You will also be given prescriptions for medications to help control pain.  Depending on the procedure, you may not need to have the pain medication prescription filled if the discomfort can be controlled with over-the-counter analgesics.  However, if pain gets out of control, it can take many doses of even powerful prescription pain medications to get it back under control.  So, don't wait until the pain is just unbearable to start taking pain medication.  Other medications may also be prescribed to you depending on individual needs.  Diabetics may start taking their sugar level reducing medications as usual, unless stomach upset limits ability to eat.  Often in the first few days following a surgical intervention, blood sugar levels in diabetic patients may remain somewhat elevated and resistant to the usual medication dosage.  This is a normal and temporary bodily response to the stress of surgery.  Be sure to maintain adequate fluid intake.
	DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL WHILE TAKING PRESCRIPTION PAIN PILLS.