Preparing for your surgery

Before your procedure

Pre-Anesthesia Testing

• Dates of past health problems and any surgical procedures.

• Bring all current medications, vitamins, supplements and over-the-counter medications that you are taking. If unable to bring in the medications, please provide a complete list, preferably from your pharmacy, of current medications including name, dose, how you take it and directions. Include any vitamins, supplements and over-the-counter medications.

• Results of any recent lab tests, EKGs or chest X-rays.

• Current insurance information. If applicable, patients may pay their co-payment at this time or may be directed to the financial counselor for payment arrangements.

• Medical power of attorney

• Living will

Pre-Registration

• Patient’s full legal name, date of birth, address

• Patient’s doctor’s first and last name

• Appointment date and time

• Phone number to reach you

• Emergency contact information

• Insurance information

• Guarantor information (when patient is not the policyholder: children, dependents, etc.)

• Means of payment. We accept all major credit cards, checks and cash.

Pre-Surgery Instructions

• Failure to follow food and water instructions.

• Presence of illegal substances (not limited to: methamphetamine, concaine).

• Ingestion/inhalation of marijuana or ingestion of alcohol on day of surgery.

• Failure to have a ride home from the hospital and adult to stay wiht you overnight (if being discharged to home on day of surgery).

• Unstable or uncontrolled heart rate, blood pressure or blood sugar.

Food and Water

• Nothing to eat or drink EXCEPT clear liquids

• Clear liquids include water, black coffee, apple juice, Gatorade

• No gum or hard candies

• OK to take medications with a sip of water

• Do NOT drink anything

• Food: No food 8 hours prior to surgery

• Formula: No formula 6 hours prior to surgery

• Breast milk: No breast milk 4 hours prior to surgery

• Pedialyte: No Pedialyte 2 hours prior to surgery

Tobacco and Marijuana Products

• No tobacco products (cigarettes, vape, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco) 24 hours prior to surgery

• No marijuana products one week prior to surgery

General Instructions

• Do not shave 24 hours prior to surgery

• Thoroughly shower with antimicrobial soap and water prior to surgery. Do not apply lotion, make-up or hair products. Do not wear jewelry including rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, body piercings

• Ensure you have a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you for 24 hours after surgery

• Leave valuables at home such as cash, jewelry, rings, wallet and purse. Do not bring medications from home 

• Do not bring medications from home

Things to Bring to Surgery (if applicable)

• CPAP or other breathing-assistive device (in good working order)

• Asthma inhaler

• Cases for removable items (dentures, hearing aid, eyeglasses or contact lenses). These items will be removed prior to surgery

• List of your current medications

• Picture ID and copay (if needed)

• Advance Directive forms

• Name and phone number of responsible adult who will drive you home and stay with you

Pre-Surgery Medication Instructions

DO NOT take these medications the day of surgery:

• Metformin (glucophage)

• Lisinopril, benazepril, captopril, Altace, Lotensin or any other ACE inhibitor

• Losartan, valsartan, telmisartan or any other angiotension receptor blocker (ARB)

• Hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide, Lasix, chlorthalidone, Aldactone or any other diuretic

• Oral GLP-1 agonist for diabetes or weight loss

DO NOT take these medicines one week prior to surgery:

• Ibuprofen, naproxen, Aleve, Motrin, Advil or any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID)

• Phentermine

• Herbal supplements and vitamins

• Injectable GLP-1 agonist for diabetes or weight loss

Blood Thinners (antiplatelet/anticoagulant)

• If you are on blood thinners, contact your surgeon for instructions regarding your blood thinners prior to surgery. If your surgeon instructs you to STOP blood thinners prior to surgery, contact your prescribing provider for approval to stop your blood thinners per your surgeon’s instructions

• If your prescribing provider does NOT approve you to stop blood thinners, contact your surgeon

• If you have any questions about your blood thinners, contact your surgeon and prescribing provider

Medication Instructions for Diabetic Patients

Day of surgery

• Take all oral diabetic medications as prescribed, except metformin and GLP-1 agonist

• Do not take metformin or GLP-1 agonist the day of surgery

• Do NOT take short-acting insulin on day of surgery (regular, lispro, Humalog, aspart, NovoLog, Glulisine, Apidra)

• Take half of your non-short-acting insulin dose on day of surgery (Lantus, glargine, detemir, Levemir, NPH, premixed insulin, Humalin 70/30, Humalog 75/35, NovoLog 70/30)

• Check your blood sugar in the morning and every 4 hours prior to surgery

• If blood sugar < 80 mg/dL drink 4 ounces of ginger ale, Sprite or apple juice

• Continue basal rate

• Notify pre-operative staff of insulin pump upon surgery check-in

Getting Around Campus

Transportation Assistance

When You Arrive at the Hospital

• Patients scheduled in the Joel M. Childers, M.D., Women’s Surgery Center should enter through the Southeast Entrance and check in at the Information Desk. From there, they will be directed to the Women's Surgery Center where Admitting will process registration paperwork.

• Patients scheduled for specialty or general surgery should enter through the TMC Orthopaedic and Surgical Tower entrance,proceed to the second floor, and check in at the patient check-in kiosks.

• Patients scheduled for orthopaedic surgery should enter the lobby of the TMC Orthopaedic and Surgical Tower, proceed to the third floor and check in at the patient check-in kiosks.

• Patients scheduled at the Outpatient Surgery Center should enter through the front doors at 2424 N. Wyatt Drive and check in at the registration desk.

Children Having Surgery

After Surgery

Going Home

Useful Numbers

Useful Websites