We recommend that you arrive at the hospital a minimum of two hours before the scheduled time of your surgery.  Why so early?  This is to insure that preoperative checklists can be completed prior your surgery.  There are many things that are being performed behind the scenes to maximize your safety.  Failure to arrive at least two hours prior to your scheduled time can cause a delay or even a cancellation in your surgery.  (Surgery is much more important and more things have to be checked compared to flying an airplane, which also requires you to arrive two hours before!)

The surgery time that has been given to you is an approximate time of your surgery.  Because of certain timing issues out of our control, your surgery may be either earlier or later than the scheduled time provided to you. 

Eating and drinking prior to surgery:  You must not have any food or drink of any kind for at least 8 hours prior to your surgery.  Failure to adhere to this very important rule can cause serious anesthetic complications and therefore surgeries will be either delayed or cancelled.   If you are diabetic, or a child, or have any other significant dietary concerns, please address this with your doctor prior to the day of your surgery

Medications that are considered essential may be taken the morning of the surgery with a very small sip of water. 

Illegal drugs of any kind must be avoided for at least a week prior to surgery.  Please notify your doctor of any use of illegal drugs.  Physician-patient confidentiality will be strictly adhered to.  Failure to disclose this information can frequently cause serious complications.  Also, smoking causes significantly increased risks with surgery.  Every attempt should be made to try and stop smoking prior to your surgery.

Eating and drinking after your surgery:  It is not  uncommon for the anesthesia to cause nausea or even vomiting after the surgery.  It is recommended that once you feel hungry to start with some simple fluids first, and if tolerated, to advance to easily digested foods such as crackers and soups prior to full and heavy meals.

Getting Home

Hospital regulations require that someone accompany you from the hospital.  Because of the aftereffects of anesthesia and surgery, you may not be as steady or cognitive as you might expect.  Please make arrangements to have someone take you home safely.  If you cannot have someone accompany you, discuss this with your doctor ahead of time to make special arrangements.