Before Surgery
General Information
Medications that you should STOP prior to surgery:
Medications that you may CONTINUE prior to surgery:
- Diabetics: Please consult the health care provider that manages your diabetes for specific instructions on medications and insulin. Good control of your blood sugar is important for healing and lowering the risk of infection.
- Change in health status: If you develop a cold, fever, cough, open sores, cuts, tooth ache or infection, bladder or kidney infection or ANY significant changes to your health before surgery please notify our office immediately.
- Eating and Drinking: Unless otherwise instructed, DO NOT eat or drink anything after midnight before your surgery. This includes ice chips, chewing gum and mints. DO NOT drink alcohol, smoke tobacco, or use recreational drugs within 24 hours of your operation. If you have had anything to eat or drink, including water, without having been instructed to do so, your surgery may be delayed or cancelled.
- Pre-Operative Hygiene: You should take two showers - one the night before surgery and the second the morning of surgery. Wash with your regular soap first and then wash with the antiseptic liquid soap (chlorhexidine) that you will be given by our office. Remove all jewelry including body piercings.
Medications that you should STOP prior to surgery:
- Blood Thinners: In almost all cases, blood thinners such as Aspirin, Coumadin, Plavix, and Ticlid need to be stopped 10 days before surgery. In some special cases, If you have had coronary stents, heart surgery, or vascular surgery, or a recent blood clot you may need to remain on these medicines up to and including the day of surgery. Please call our office if you have not been given specific instructions from your primary care provider or are at all unsure about what to do.
- Anti-Inflammatory Medications (NSAIDS): These medications need to be stopped 10 days before surgery. Examples include: Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), Meloxicam (Mobic), Diclofenac (Arthrotec, Voltaren), Etodolac (Lodine), Nabumetone (Relafen), Indocin, Daypro, Feldene. The exception is Celebrex, which can be continued because it does not thin the blood.
- Herbal Medications: Stop taking all herbal supplements 2 weeks before surgery. This includes: Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, Echinaceae, Gingko Biloba, Ginseng, Melatonin and any others.
- Diet Medication: Phentermine can be very dangerous with anesthesia and absolutely must be stopped two weeks before surgery.
Medications that you may CONTINUE prior to surgery:
- Most blood pressure, heart, breathing, seizure, narcotic pain, and anti-reflux medications should be taken the morning of the surgery with a small sip of water. Always feel free to call your primary care provider or our office with any questions regarding your medications.
