Pre-Operative Instructions

Information you need to bring to the hospital:

• Insurance card
• Your medical information and past medical history
• List of your medications, doses, and any allergies

Diet and Medications:

• If you take very important medications such as heart medications, you may take these on your regular schedule with a small sip of water
• Do not take Aspirin or other similar medications like Ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve, Celebrex, etc. for one week before your surgery
• If you are diabetic, please do not take your morning diabetic medication and be sure to inform the anesthesiologist
• If you take blood thinners such as Plavix, Coumadin, or Warfarin, you will need to stop these 5 days prior to surgery

Clothes and Jewelry:

• Wear loose comfortable clothes to the hospital
• Leave ALL jewelry at home, including wedding rings
• The only thing you wear into the operating room is a hospital gown
• The hospital will not be responsible for your valuables

Preparing your hands for surgery:

• Be sure not to get any cuts or scratches before your surgery (especially from animals) This could result in cancellation of your surgery
• Clean under your fingernails carefully the last few days before surgery and remove any artificial nails or fingernail polish

Preparing for your day at the hospital:

• Arrange for someone to drive you home from the hospital after surgery
• You will not be allowed to drive yourself nor ride in a cab/bus alone
• Bring something to read as there is often a lot of waiting time at the hospital

Medications:

• Fill your prescription for your post-operative medications ahead of time so that the medications will be waiting for you when you get home from the hospital

Herbal supplements:

• If you use these, you need to stop taking them 2 weeks prior to your surgery