Surgical Services
Preoperative Instructions for Elective Surgery
Prior to Surgery
- You will be asked multiple times about allergies, previous
illnesses and medications.
- Pre-surgical waiting time varies from
patient to patient.
- Speak with your surgeon about whether you
may eat solid food after midnight on the day of surgery.
- Up to
a total of three 8-ounce cups (750 cc) of clear liquid from the
list below may be taken up to four hours before the scheduled
time of surgery. After that time, only oral medications may be
taken with no more than 1 ounce (30 ml) of water up to one hour
before surgery.
These guidelines are for elective patients with
no predisposition to regurgitation or vomiting
- Acceptable Clear Liquids
- Water and Pedialyte® solution
- Coffee or tea (no milk,
cream or non-dairy creamer; sugar may be used if desired)
- Apple
juice without sediment
- Colas and ginger ale
- Jell-O
- If you are presently taking ASPIRIN or ASPIRIN products
or any other medications, please discuss with your surgeon
whether these medications should be discontinued prior to
surgery. Follow any medication instructions given to you
by the anesthesiologist the morning of surgery.
- Try to get
a good night’s sleep the day before your surgery.
If you feel ill or develop a fever, call your doctor. Your doctor
will decide if it is safe to proceed with surgery.
The Day Before Your Arrival at the Hospital
On
the day before your arrival to the hospital, remember to review your
doctor’s preoperative or preadmission instructions and
follow them carefully. If you are having surgery or a procedure
that requires you to fast, be sure not to eat or drink anything
after the time specified by your doctor. Remember that when the
instruction says “nothing to drink,” this includes
water, coffee and juice. You may brush your teeth, but do not swallow
the water.
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