Preparing for Outpatient Surgery

If you are having Same Day/Outpatient Surgery, remember the following:

Have someone available to take you home, you will not be able to drive for at least 24 hours
Do not drink or eat anything in the car on the trip home
The combination of anesthesia, food, and car motion can quite often cause nausea or vomiting. After arriving home, wait until you are hungry before trying to eat. Begin with a light meal and try to avoid greasy food for the first 24 hours
If you had surgery on an extremity (leg, knee, hand or elbow), keep that extremity elevated and use ice as directed. This will help decrease swelling and pain
Take your pain medicine as directed. Begin the pain medicine as you start getting uncomfortable, but before you are in severe pain. If you wait to take your pain medication until the pain is severe, you will have more difficulty in controlling the pain

Pre-operative evaluation

Pre-operative packet Includes:

Pre-operative evaluation form to be completed by primary care physician
Information regarding clearance from any specialists such as cardiologist, pulmonologist, hematologist.
Required Pre-operative testing- such as laboratory data and ECG
Instructions on medications that need to be stopped prior to surgery
Patient undergoing a total knee arthroplasty are asked to call to arrange first post-operative therapy evaluation 2-3 days following operative intervention.
Arranging your 2 week post-operative appointment
You will be called with arrival time the week prior to surgery.

Surgery and Your Medications

If you are having surgery at Beacon Ambulatory Surgery Center, Please bring your home medications in the original bottles and containers to the Ambulatory Surgery Center.

Your surgeon will determine what medications can be started after your surgery.

All weight-loss products, nutritional supplements, and herbal supplements should be stopped 2 weeks before surgery.

Medications such as aspirin and other blood thinners and ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatories should be stopped 7 days before surgery.

Common medications to stop 7 days before surgery:

Aspirin Aspirin containing medications
Plavix (clopidogrel)
Coumadin (warfarin)
Xarelto (rivaroxaban)
Eliquis (apixaban)
Pradaxa (dabigatran)
Effient (prasugrel)
Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen)
Aleve or Naprosyn (naproxen)
Arthrotec or Voltaren (diclofenac)
Celebrex (celecoxib)
Meloxicam (Mobic)
Lodine (etodolac)
Daypro (oxaprozin)
Relafen (nabumetone)
Indocin (indomethacin)
Toradol (ketorolac)
Feldene (piroxicam)

Do not take your diabetic medications the morning of surgery unless you have been instructed by your medical doctor.

Medications you should take the morning of surgery include:

Blood pressure medications Beta blockers (heart medications) Anti-seizure medications

Things to Do (or Not Do) the Night before Your Surgery

Do not eat or drink after midnight.
Do not drink alcohol, including beer or wine.
Do not smoke.
Do not shave the surgical area at home.
Do not wear make-up or nail polish.
Do brush your teeth, but do not swallow the water.
Do clean the surgical area with antibacterial soap.
Do leave all unnecessary valuables at home.
Do take medication as directed with just a sip of water.

Things to Pack for Your Surgery

Home medications in the original bottles
List of medications you are currently taking and list of allergies.
Driver’s License
Insurance card
Copy of Advanced Directives (if you have them)
CPAP and supplies
Comfortable outfit or athletic clothes that is easy to get on/off
Pair of shoes, preferably gym shoes
Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, etc.)
Crutches/walker (if you don’t have these, they will be provided for you to take home)
Eyeglasses, contacts, hearing aides
Cell phone and charger

Getting Your Home Ready for Your Recovery

Your ability to perform your usual daily activities may be altered after your surgery. There are a few things you can do before your surgery to make your transition back home safer and easier.

Make sure walkways and hallways are clear and wide enough for you and your walker, crutches, or cane. Rearrange furniture if needed.
It may be difficult to get up from low surfaces, so make sure your favorite chairs and bed are high enough for you to get into and out of easily.
Remove throw rugs, carpet runners, and bathroom mats from the floors; these are tripping hazards.
Place frequently used kitchen and bathroom items within easy reach to avoid excessive bending and stretching.
Make sure you wear supportive walking shoes (no open back shoes) and comfortable, loose fitting clothing.
Complete housekeeping tasks and laundry before surgery: such as place clean linens on the bed and preparing and freezing meals.
Cut the grass, tend to the garden, and finish any other yard work before surgery.
Arrange to have someone collect your mail, take out the trash, and take care of pets.
Make arrangements for transportation to any appointments, including physical therapy, until you are cleared for driving by your surgeon.
Make arrangements to have someone stay with you for the first week after surgery.