- Shower with an antimicrobial soap (like Dial) prior to surgery, paying special attention to clean the area of your surgery extremely well.
- If you are having a total joint procedure or an abdominal procedure, your nurse may give you additional instructions concerning the use of chlorhexidine gluconate disposable cloths after your shower.
- If you are having foot surgery, remove toenail polish on the operative foot.
- Use fresh laundered bed linens to sleep on.
- Wear freshly laundered pajamas.
- Do not sleep with pets the night prior to your surgery.
- Do not smoke, eat or drink anything after midnight prior to your surgery (even if you are scheduled for an afternoon surgery). No gum, no mints and no water. If you do not follow these instructions, your surgery may be delayed or canceled.
- For your safety, do not wear makeup, lotions, creams or fragrance on the day of your surgery/procedure.
- You may brush your teeth and spit it out the morning of your surgery.
- Take only the selected prescription medications as advised by your PPAC nurse or your surgeon/physician with a sip of water prior to leaving home. Your nurse will review which medications you will NOT take the morning of your procedure.
- If you are taking a blood thinner and/or any of the following medications and your surgeon has not told you to stop these medications, call him/her immediately to discuss:
- Aspirin, fish oil, omega 3, vitamin E, ginseng and ginkgo
- Aspirin with dipyridamole (AggrenoxO
- Apixaban (Eliquis)
- Cilostazol (Pletal)
- Dabigatran (Pradaxa)
- Dipyridamole (Persantine)
- Fondaparinux (Arintra)
- Prasugrel (Effient)
- Plavix (Clopidogrel)
- Rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
- Ticagrelor (Brilinta)
- Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
- Notify your surgeon of any changes in your physical condition prior to your procedure (e.g., flu, cold, contagious disease, skin tears and infected wounds). This will most likely postpone your surgery. For your safety, anesthesia will not be used to put you to sleep if you are sick, as this could affect your recovery.