At your appointment before your surgery, your health care provider will go over the instructions you should follow before the surgery. After the surgery, your health care provider will discuss instructions for care of your wound and recovery from the surgery. Be sure you discuss any questions or concerns you have about preparing for and recovering from the surgery.

Instructions Before Surgery

____ One week before surgery do not take any anti- inflammatory medicines, including aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin), and naproxen (Aleve). These medicines can make it harder for your blood to clot. You may take acetaminophen for pain.

____ If you need to have any lab tests or x-rays before surgery, have them done at least 2 days before the day you have surgery.

____ The evening before surgery have a normal meal.

____ If you take medications daily, ask your health care provider when you should take your last dose before surgery.

____ After midnight the night before surgery do not eat or drink anything, including:

• no water

• no food

• no chewing gum

• no candy.

____ On the morning of your surgery, take a bath or shower.

____ Make arrangements for someone to drive you home after surgery if you expect to go home the same day as your surgery.

____ Make arrangements to have help at home while you are recovering from the surgery.

____ Follow any other special instructions your health care provider gives you.

Instructions After Surgery

____ Ask your health care provider which of the following medicines you should use for pain:

___ acetaminophen (Tylenol)

___ anti-inflammatories (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen)

___ prescription pain medicines.

____ Ask your health care provider whether you should expect nausea and vomiting and how you should treat it.

____ Ice packs wrapped in a cloth or towel and placed on the area of pain may help the first 24 hours.

____ Ask your health care provider how to care for your surgical wound. This includes knowing:

___ when to change the dressing

___ how soon you can bathe or shower

___ whether you need to protect your dressing when you bathe.

____ Ask your health care provider when you should call about:

___ fever greater than 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C)

___ bleeding

___ worsening pain

___ worsening swelling.

____ Make your follow-up appointment according to your health care provider's instructions.

____ Follow any other special instructions your health care provider gives you.