Please talk to your physician about any daily medications you currently are taking, especially for heart, diabetes or blood pressure problems. Be sure to mention any over the counter drugs such as aspirin, diet pills, Bufferin, Nuprin, Advil, Motrin, or Vitamin E. At your preop visit, you will receive instructions concerning which medication you should take the morning of surgery.

Transportation:
For your safety and protection, you will not be allowed to drive a motor vehicle when discharged. If your surgery involves a general anesthetic or other type of sedation, please arrange for a responsible person to remain at the center during surgery and to stay with you the first night following surgery. If the patient is a child, it is best to have someone along with the driver to help care for the child on the trip home. Your surgery will be cancelled if there is no one to drive you home or stay with you the first night.

The night before surgery:

• For your safety, please do not eat or drink anything after 12:00 midnight (including water) the night before your surgery unless we tell you otherwise. This includes hard candy, gum, or prescription medications, (unless ordered by your physician).
• Bathe or shower the night before and the morning of surgery to minimize the chance of infection. Teeth may be brushed but DO NOT swallow water.
• Refrain from smoking after midnight on the day of your surgery.

When to notify your physician:
If for any reason you cannot keep your scheduled appointment for surgery, or you notice the following, contact your physician immediately - if you suspect that you are pregnant or you experience any changes in your health such as a cough, fever, or a cold.

The day of surgery:

• bring your insurance card and claim forms with you
• arrange for cash or a check to be held by friends or family waiting for you in case a prescription needs to be written and filled at a nearby pharmacy before you are discharged
• arrange for an interpreter to accompany you to the center if you do not speak English. This person should remain at the center until you are discharged
• arrange for someone to stay with you and care for your children for 24 hours following surgery, as you could feel drowsy for that period of time
• leave your valuables, including jewelry and watches, at home
• do not wear contact lenses or make-up
• please leave children not having surgery at home
• if you are on medication, please bring your prescription with you along with the dosages
• bring a copy of your labwork, EKG, chest X-ray if done outside of the surgery center
• take any medication you have been told to take by the anesthesiologist or your surgeon
• nothing to eat or drink after midnight including water the day before surgery unless told otherwise
• please bring with you any forms from your physician (if requested)
• for your comfort, bring warm socks
• lobby is very cold - family member may want to bring a sweater