How You Can Help Prevent Complications Before Your Procedure

• Make sure you are eating well, drinking plenty of fluids and staying active in the weeks before your surgery.
• Quit smoking, or if you can't, at least greatly cut down. Smoking can put you at risk for infections and slow healing. 
• Follow ALL of your surgeon's and hospital's instructions before surgery. 
• Plan to have someone available to help you at home after surgery. 

Important Preprocedure Instructions

Please follow these instructions carefully. Your surgery could be delayed or canceled if important steps are not completed.

• Do not eat or drink after midnight the night before your procedure unless
  you are told otherwise.
• Do not chew gum, eat hard candy or mints after midnight.
• Brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with a small amount of water. Do not swallow any fluid.
• Only take the medications you are told to take the morning of your surgery with one ounce or less of water.
• Stop taking herbal and other supplements two weeks before surgery.
• Do not smoke after midnight the night before surgery.
• Do not wear hair pins, barrettes or body piercings.
• Call your doctor if you have a fever, cold or any changes in your health.

Complete Preoperative Washes as Instructed

Washing your skin with chlorhexidine gluconate or antimicrobial soap can lower your risk of developing a surgical site infection.

• Remove all makeup, jewelry and nail polish before completing the first preoperative wash.
• Shower the night before your surgery using chlorhexidine or antimicrobial soap if your doctor has instructed you to do so.
• Shower the morning before your surgery using chlorhexidine or antimicrobial soap if your doctor has instructed you to do so.
• Do not apply lotion, cream, powder, deodorant, makeup, nail polish, perfume or colognes after washing with the surgical scrub.
• If your procedure is on your head or face, wash your hair with shampoo only and do not use any conditioners or hair products before your surgery.