Night Before Surgery

For your safety, please:

 * DO NOT eat or drink anything after 12:00 midnight (including water) the night before your surgery unless we tell you otherwise. This includes hard candy, gum, or prescription medications, (unless ordered by your physician).

* Bathe or shower the night before and the morning of surgery to minimize the chance of infection. Teeth may be brushed but DO NOT swallow water.

* Refrain from smoking after midnight on the day of your surgery.

* Take a shower or bath and shampoo your hair, but please refrain from using any lotion, cream or oils.

* Arrange for someone to drive you home. You are not allowed to drive yourself home after surgery due to the after-effects of anesthesia. We can arrange for courtesy car service, so please contact our Scheduling Department for details.

* Arrange for someone to stay at home with you the night of your surgery.

Why can’t I have anything to eat or during after midnight prior to my surgery?

* There are several reasons for this rule. First, if there are contents in your stomach, you are more likely to get nauseated and get sick after surgery, and no one wants that. Second, when anything is present in your stomach, including water, excess saliva, food or drink, these contents can be regurgitated and inhaled into the lungs. This may cause complications, including severe pneumonias.