The night before your surgery
Description
You have spent much time and energy going to appointments, preparing your home, and getting healthy. Now it is time for surgery. You may feel relieved or nervous at this point.
Taking care of a few last-minute details can help make your surgery successful. Depending on the type of surgery you're having, follow any further advice from your surgeon or health care provider.
Medicines
One to two weeks before surgery, you may have been told to stop taking blood thinners. These are medicines that make it harder for your blood to clot and could prolong bleeding during your surgery. Examples of these medicines include but are not limited to:
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
- Naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve)
- Clopidogrel (Plavix), warfarin (Coumadin), dabigatran (Pradaxa), rivaroxaban (Xarelto), apixaban (Eliquis)
You may also be told to stop medicine that can affect your diet or how your stomach empties its content. These are common diabetic and weight loss medicines. Please make sure your surgeon knows about them. Examples include:
- Dulaglutide
- Exenatide
- Liraglutide
- Semaglutide
- Tirzepatide
Take only the medicines your surgeon has told you to take before surgery, including prescription medicines. Some of these medicines have to be stopped a few days before surgery. If you're confused about which medicines to take the night before or the day of surgery, contact your surgeon.
Do not take any supplements, herbs, vitamins, or minerals before surgery unless your surgeon said it is OK.
Bring a list of all your medicines to the hospital. Include the ones that you were told to stop taking before surgery. Make sure you write down the dose and how often you take them. If possible, bring your medicines in their containers.
Washing Your Skin
You may take a shower or bath both the night before and the morning of surgery.
Your surgeon may have given you a medicated soap to use. Read the instructions for how to use this soap. If you were not given medicated soap, use antibacterial soap that you can buy at the store.
Do not shave the area that will be operated on. The surgeon will do that at the hospital, if needed.
Scrub your fingernails with a brush. Remove nail polish and makeup before you go to the hospital.
Eating and Drinking Before Surgery
It is likely that you have been asked not to eat or drink after a specific time the evening before or day of surgery. This usually means both solid foods and liquids.
You may brush your teeth and rinse your mouth in the morning. If you were told to take any medicine on the morning of surgery, you may take them with a sip of water.
Symptoms to Report
If you do not feel well in the days before or on the day of surgery, call your surgeon's office. The symptoms your surgeon needs to know about include:
- Any new skin rashes or skin infections (including herpes outbreak)
- Chest pain or shortness of breath
- Cough
- Fever
- Cold or flu symptoms
What you Should Pack
Clothing items:
- Flat walking shoes with rubber or crepe on the bottom
- Shorts or sweatpants
- T-shirt
- Lightweight bath robe
- Clothes to wear when you go home (sweat suit or something easy to put on and take off)
Personal care items:
- Eyeglasses (instead of contact lenses)
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant
- Razor (electric only)
Other items:
- Crutches, cane, or walker.
- Books or magazines.
- Important telephone numbers of friends and relatives.
- Small amount of money. Leave jewelry and other valuables at home.
- Cell phone charger
References
Grear BJ. Surgical techniques. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 81.
Zaydfudim VM, Hu Y, Adams RB. Principles of preoperative and operative surgery. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 10.
Reviewed By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
