DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN or any medications containing aspirin for two weeks before your surgery. Aspirin interferes with normal blood clotting. Aspirin-containing drugs include: Alka Seltzer, Anacin, Bufferin, Motrin, Advil, Empirin, Midol and numerous others. If you are in doubt about a drug, please ask your pharmacist. Tylenol is a good substitute for aspirin. It is however, important to continue any medication already prescribed unless specified as being contra-indicated for your surgery. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY medication also needs to be avoided for two weeks prior to surgery.
BIRTH CONTROL pills must be stopped for two weeks before the surgery.
DO NOT TAKE ANY VITAMINS, ANY HERBAL MEDICATION OR HEALTH FOOD SUPPLEMENTS for two weeks prior to your surgery as these can also interfere with blood clotting.
AVOID ALCOHOLIC beverages for two weeks before your surgery (including wine and beer).
If you smoke, YOU MUST STOP SMOKING at least two weeks before your surgery. In addition, smoking should only resume two weeks after surgery. This is very important for the healing process and to avoid complications during general anesthesia and post-operative healing.
As with any general anesthesia, you must be fasting from midnight the night before your surgery (no food, no drink (including water), no gum). However, if you take any medication on a regular basis in the morning, you can do so (with a small sip of water). You will also need to take (just before leaving the house to come to the clinic) the anti-nausea medication (Zofran) prescribed to you by our office (again with a small sip of water).
Please arrive at least 1 1/2 hours (90 minutes) prior to your surgery time* and also note that you MUST ALSO BE AVAILABLE TO BE REACHED on the day of your surgery, as it is possible that there may be change in the surgical schedule.
* If your surgery is scheduled at 8:00, please arrive 30 minutes prior (7:30am). Please note, however that the front door might be locked at that time. If this is the case, please ring the doorbell (located on the left hand side of our front door) and someone will come to let you in.
YOU MUST HAVE SOMEONE ACCOMPANY YOU HOME AFTER SURGERY. We will advise the person coming to pick you up, one hour prior, as to what time you will get your discharge.
For the patients staying overnight, unless otherwise advised, our clinic will take care of bringing you home. Simply have someone at home at your arrival.
You need to purchase an anti-bacterial soap (Solunet or Dexedin) and use it when you take your shower the night before and morning of the surgery. Please use Solunet instead of soap and wash the full body. DO NOT WASH YOUR FACE USING THIS PRODUCT. Please shampoo your hair the night before the surgery.
You also need to shave the pubic area (the night before your surgery).
Do not use moisturizer on your face or body on the morning of the surgery. Please remove all nail polish (acrylic nails do not need to be removed) and makeup. Contact lenses should also not be worn on the day of surgery.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Clothes with buttons or zippers are recommended.
Please leave all valuables at home. We are not responsible for lost or misplaced items.
NOTE: You will be given a request for preoperative tests some time before your surgery. Please note it is very important that these tests be done. Your surgery could be canceled if these tests are not received on time for your surgery.
