Before Surgery Instructions
Pay close attention because these instructions are important. The purpose of the instructions is to make this experience as comfortable and complication-free as possible. Do not feel like you have to memorize these instructions. You will be given written instructions before you leave.
Do not eat or drink anything for 6 hours prior to surgery. This allows the stomach to empty
(no foods, liquids, or even water). To do otherwise could be life-threatening. This instruction
is given to help avoid aspiration. Aspiration is a potentially life-threatening anesthetic complication where the asleep patient regurgitates stomach contents which are then pulled into the lungs when the patient breaths. This causes suffocation. If your surgery is scheduled for the morning, you will simply need to skip breakfast. If your surgery is scheduled for the afternoon, you will need to count back 6 hours, eat a light breakfast, and skip lunch. Some patients take medications that should not be missed. These medications may be taken with a minimal amount of water before surgery. The medical staff will instruct you regarding those specific medications.
The patient must have an escort. On the day of surgery, a responsible adult must accompany you. This person must be with you when you arrive, remain in the office while you undergo treatment, and drive you home once the procedure is complete. This person will also need to stay with you for 5 or 6 hours after the procedure to assist with your care.
Please dress comfortably. Wear loose-fitting clothes with short sleeves. This will help you to be as comfortable as possible and it will make monitor and IV line placement uncomplicated.
Do not wear contact lenses on the day of surgery. If you wear contact lenses, you will want to leave them at home and wear your glasses on the day of surgery. Some patients may not completely close their eyes during anesthesia. This would allow the contact lens to dry out. If that occurs, the cornea, which is the outer layer of the eye, could be damaged.
Do not wear dark fingernail polish. Some darker polishes like dark blue, burgundy, or black may make it difficult for our monitor to read the pulse. Lighter polishes and artificial fingernails generally do not interfere.
After surgery, you will need to eat soft foods for 3 or 4 days. You may want to prepare in advance for this. You will be able to eat things like soup, yogurt, pudding, Jell-O, eggs, pancakes, and applesauce. You will want to get plenty of nutrition and fluids. This will aid healing and avoid dehydration.
If you have questions, please ask. Even after hours, we are available. You may reach us by calling the office (785.628.1079) during business hours or the answering service (785.322.4103) during the evening or weekend hours.