While getting ready for your surgery it is very important to remain calm and collected. When comfortable, you body tends to recover faster.
Follow the below tips to help you feel calmer and less overwhelmed before your surgery.
Before Your Surgery
- Know your patient status. Inpatients spend at least one night in the hospital following their surgery. Day Cases leave the hospital on the same day of surgery.
- If you are a smoker, quitting or cutting down on your smoking before the surgery is essential as non-smokers heal faster than people who smoke.
- If you have a fever, cold or rash you should immediately inform your doctor or surgeon. Your surgery may need to be postponed.
- Be sure to arrive to your appointment on time.
- Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the evening before your surgery.
- If you are taking any medications or herbal supplements, ask your doctor if you need to stop them before your surgery.
On the Day of Your Surgery
Before you leave home:
- Only take the medications that you were prescribed and instructed to take by your doctor with a sip of water.
- Shower or bathe the night before or on the morning of your surgery with antibacterial soap.
- Do not apply any lotion, deodorant, powder, or perfume after your shower.
- Do not wear any make up or nail polish.
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes.
- Do not wear any jewelry, body piercings included.
Bring these items:
- Any X-rays your surgeon has asked you to provide.
- Your insurance and photo identification cards.
- Any doctor prescriptions.
- Any medications you might need along with an exhaustive list of the medications you are currently taking.
- A parent or legal guardian if you are under the age of 18
- A small bag/container to store your personal items, such as contact lenses, eyeglasses or hearing aids.
In the Hospital, Before Your Surgery
- You will change into a hospital gown and be given an ID bracelet to wear.
- You should remove your glasses or contact lenses if you wear any. If you wear any hearing aids or dentures, ask the nursing team assisting you if you should remove them.
- An intravenous (IV) cannula will be placed in your arm or hand vein. The IV will provide the necessary medications and fluids during your hospitalization.