Your Very Important Pre-Surgery Checklist

Ask Your Doctor
• Are there any prescription or over-the-counter medicines that you should NOT take before your surgery?
• If you have other questions, write them down. Take a list of questions with you when you see your doctor.

To prepare for surgery, remember:
• It is very important to remember not to eat or drink after midnight the day of your surgery or the time given to you by your surgeon (including gum, mints and water).

Ask someone you trust to:
• To take you to and from College Station Medical Center
• To be with you at College Station Medical Center. This person can make sure you get the care you need to feel comfortable and safe.

Do not smoke the morning of your surgery.
• Smoking causes lung irritation and could cause breathing problems during and after anesthesia.

Take any regular medication as you normally would, but with just a sip of water unless directed by your physician.
• Bring a list of your regular medications, your dose, and how often you take them.

Leave your contacts at home
• If you wear corrective lenses, do not wear contacts. Bring along your extra glasses.

Do not dress up for us 
• Do not wear make-up, nail polish or jewelry. Your caregivers need to see your skin to check your blood circulation.
• Trim your nails.

Bathing
• Preventing postoperative surgical site infections is a joint effort between you and your health care providers. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you bathe using an antimicrobial soap prior to your surgery.

Clothing
• Wear loose, casual clothing. A jogging suite with an elastic waistband is ideal.

Be sure to let us know if you are pregnant
• If you are pregnant, or even think your might be, notify your surgeon and anesthesiologist immediately.

Valuables
• Leave your jewelry, money and other valuables at home.

If you have a beard
• You may be asked to remove your beard on the day of surgery.

CPAP machine
• If you sleep with a CPAP ( a machine that tells you when you stop breathing in the your sleep), please bring it on the day of surgery.

Do you think you might be sick?
• In between scheduling your surgery and the day of your surgery, if you develop a cough, cold symptoms or fever, be sure to notify your surgeon.

Visitors in Pre-op
• You will be allowed two visitors in the pre-op area on the day of your surgery. Please keep this in mind as you are inviting friends and family to the hospital.

College Station Medical Center is accredited by The Joint Commission and guidelines on this webpage have been developed in conjunction with The Joint Commission Speak Up Program. The goal of the Speak Up program is to help patients become more informed and involved in their health care. Learn more at www.jointcommission.org.