Preparing for surgery

Preparations for surgery depend on your diagnosis. Your physician will discuss with you how to prepare for your surgery. However, if you will undergo general anesthesia, you may be asked to do the following:

  • stop drinking and eating for a certain period of time before the time of surgery

  • bathe or clean, and possibly shave the area to be operated on

  • undergo various blood tests, x-rays, electrocardiograms, or other procedures necessary for surgery

  • sometimes a patient may be asked to take an enema the evening before surgery, to empty the bowels. Please check with your physician.

  • do not wear makeup the day of surgery

  • do not wear nail polish

  • do not wear your eye contacts

  • leave valuables and jewelry at home

  • advise the medical staff of dentures or other prosthetic devices you may be wearing

Often, to make their experience more comfortable and efficient, patients are advised to bring the following:

  • loose-fitting clothes to wear

  • Social Security card number

  • insurance information

  • Medicare or Medicaid card

This information provided by St John's Mercy Medical Center.  Click here to learn more. 

Pediatric Checklist for Day of Surgery ...

o List of current medications and dosages (best to bring bottles or packages with you).

o Reports from any special studies your child may have had (i.e. Echocardiograms).

o An empty bottle or cup and special toy or blanket.

o Remove nail polish, jewelry and makeup.

o Please do not wear contact lenses.

o No food or drinks in the preoperative area because the children are not allowed to 
eat or drink.

o Preoperative feeding .instructions. Although some surgical procedures may be brief, the anesthetic is never minor.  These procedures must be followed for all children.

o At midnight the evening before surgery, stop all food including all orange juice, solids, candy, gum, mile and milk products, formulas and cereal.

 o Your child may breast feed until 3 hours prior to the time you are told to be at the hospital.

o Your child may drink clear fluids until 2 hours prior to the time you are told to be at the hospital.  Clear fluids include water, apple juice, clear juices without pulp, soda, pedialyte and jello.

o If your child is ill prior to coming to the hospital (wheezing, fever, vomiting),  call your surgeon.

This information provided by Pediatric Anesthesiology Specialists, a division of  WAAI.  Click here to learn more. 

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St. Louis, MO 63011

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