Surgery Day From A to Z

[nowornever]

* Be sure to arrive at the hospital or surgery center on time. You should have the arrival time in your information packet or at least confirm the night before and make the proper notation. If you are late, the surgeon may cancel your surgery and charge you for it anyway. Then the surgery fee is non-refundable.
* Arrive at the hospital or surgery center, freshly-scrubbed, with clean and dry hair and in clean clothes. Be sure that you have thoroughly washed with the instructed soap, and have NOT applied any lotions, deodorants, talcum or baby powders, perfumes, make-up, body spray.
* Wear comfortable, easily-accessible, loose-fitting, front-buttoning clothing and slippers.
* No eating or drinking anything after midnight on the evening prior to your surgery. Unless your surgery is an afternoon or evening surgery, which you should abide by your surgeon or anesthesiologist's instructions.
* Leave all valuables at home. This includes rings, watches, earrings or other jewelry. Do not bring large sums of money to the surgery center or hospital unless you are instructed to pay for the balance of your surgery fee. If any of these items become "lost" -- the hospital or surgeon is not responsible.
* Take all instructed medications before you leave with only a few sips of water. This may include vitamin C, antibiotics, prednisone, anti-anxiety medications, arnica montana, bromelain tablets, etc. Also bring with you any instructed medications, including pain relievers.
* Should you develop any fever, chills or other signs of a cold or other infection, call your surgeon's office immediately. You should never be operated on with an already stressed immune system.
* Bring with you your surgery bras, support and compression garments or bandages.
* Bring your post-operative car kit and supplies such as pillows, bottled water, crackers, coffee can with lid, blanket, towel, etc. for the ride home.
* Don't forget your sunglasses - the sun may hurt your eyes and can cause a headache, which is the last thing you need.
* Bring your camera if you wish to document your experience directly before your surgery and your immediate recovery.

[aia44]

This is all good information. Do you think most surgeons also tell their patients this? I hope so.