BEFORE SURGERY

If you are requiring surgery, your surgery team will be available to you and your family prior to surgery, during your surgery and following your surgery.

PREOPERATIVE PREPARATION - ANESTHETIC CHOICES

The anesthesia team will discuss your choices of anesthesia available and what they feel will be the most beneficial for you and the type of surgery you are having. They will evaluate you for any form of infection, medical and surgical history, along with any anesthetic complications you may have had in the past. Please bring a list of all medications you are presently taking. They prefer that you quit smoking as soon as your surgery is scheduled. You and your family will have the opportunity to ask any questions.

YOUR ROLE IN PREPARING FOR SURGERY

• Stop smoking as soon as your surgery is scheduled.
• Do not eat or drink after midnight the night before your surgery, unless other instructions were given.
• If you develop a fever, cold, rash or anything that may be of concern to you call your physician or the Anesthesia Department prior to your surgery.
• You must bring someone with you or arrange for someone to arrive later to drive you home after your procedure.
• Bring your advanced medical directive if you have one with you the day of surgery.
• Bring comfortable clothes to wear home if you are an outpatient.