Your surgeon will arrange for some or all of the following:
• Health history
• Medical clearance from your regular doctors
• Any special laboratory testing
Avoid aspirin, baby aspirin, coated aspirin, aspirin-containing medications (for example, some cold remedies), aspirin-like medications (including many prescription arthritis medications), or ibuprofen and related medications (Motrin, Advil, Alleve, etc.) during the three weeks before surgery. Tylenol (or any brand of acetaminophen) may be used at any time.
If you use prescription "blood thinners" such as Coumadin or Plavix, be sure to discuss this with your surgeon well in advance of your surgery.
If you use a separate Vitamin E supplement, stop two weeks before surgery.
Other common over-the-counter supplements are known to prolong bleeding to a much lesser extent than the above medications, including gingko biloba, ginseng, glucosamine/chrondroiton sulfate, and any number of herbs.
Unless you are advised otherwise, continue using all of your regular medications in their normal dosages. Be sure to discuss this with your surgeon.
Try to minimize smoking and alcohol intake in the two weeks prior to surgery.
Supplies that may be handy in the immediate post-op period:
• ice cubes (one or two trays)
• several clean washcloths
• a small clean bowl to hold water
• several gallon-size Ziploc bags (to use for ice packs), or
• a package of frozen baby peas
• a small supply of sterile gauze pads
• a small bottle of acetaminophen
• a small bottle of artificial tears
Arrange for someone to drive you to your surgery and pick you up afterwards.
If at all possible, someone should stay with you at home on the afternoon and evening of surgery.
If your surgery is at the hospital or a surgicenter, do not take in any food, fluids, or medicines after midnight unless instructed otherwise. If your surgery will be done at an office operating room, ask about such policies.
