Before Your Surgery

Pre-Operative Instructions

  1. PLEASE, FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY, DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO EAT OR DRINK FOR 8 HOURS PRIOR TO YOUR SURGERY! IT IS CRITICAL THAT YOU HAVE AN EMPTY STOMACH FOR THE PROCEDURE, SO PLEASE COMPLY WITH THIS REQUIREMENT. This includes gum, Life Savers®, and water. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS REQUEST WILL RESULT IN HAVING TO RE-SCHEDULE YOUR SURGERY. Patients who take medications daily may take them as scheduled with a sip of water.
  2. Some procedures require that you do not take any aspirin products for at least 2 weeks prior to and 2 weeks following surgery (this includes Motrin®, Advil®, ibuprofen,, Naprosyn®). Aspirin can cause bleeding. There are some procedures for which this is critical.
  3. Because of wound healing complications, we request that the patient not smoke for the entire week prior to and the entire week following surgery. Smoking will compromise and/or delay healing.
  4. Bathe or shower the morning of surgery, but DO NOT use any lotion or make-up on the face or hands. Please remove all nail polish and acrylic from fingernails.
  5. PLEASE BE ON TIME! You may call prior to your surgery to make sure there will be no delays.
  6. All payments for elective surgery are DUE PRIOR TO SURGERY! If you have made other arrangements prior to surgery, please be prepared to pay the amounts agreed. (Hospital or Surgical Center patients must make separate financial arrangements with those facilities for amounts due them). We accept checks, cashier’s checks, money orders, Visa®, MasterCard®, American Express®, Discover®, and Care Credit®.
  7. Wear clothing that is loose-fitting and comfortable. We will need access to the entire left and right arms. A t-shirt is preferred.
  8. You will not be able to drive yourself home. Be sure to have a responsible adult who can remain here during the procedure to take you home. You will need someone to be with you for 24 hours after surgery. Plan on resting the entire day after surgery.
  9. Make an appointment for your first follow-up visit as needed immediately prior to your surgery.
  10. You may need to have some lab work done prior to surgery. The doctor will review this with you.
  11. Pathology patients: All specimens are sent to the University of Kentucky or Cole Diagnostics for diagnosis. This fee is separate and will be billed by the University of Kentucky Pathology or Cole Diagnostics.

In order to maintain patient privacy, cell phones are not permitted in the surgery or recovery area.

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