About Your Visit

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery. (The only exception is if you are directed to eat or drink by your doctor.) Food in your stomach can cause serious complications during surgery. Consequently, eating or drinking could cause your surgery to be canceled or postponed.

– Avoid alcohol and tobacco 24 hours prior to your surgery.

– Remove nail polish before your surgery.

– Leave expensive jewelry and large amounts of money at home.

Before Your Surgery: The Klamath Surgery Center wants to make your experience as pleasant as possible. This information will answer many of the questions you may have about your surgery. Please review this information carefully.

Prior to the Day of Surgery:

The following instructions are very important and MUST be followed, otherwise it may be necessary to cancel your surgery.

– Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery, including water, juice, coffee, chewing gum or mints, unless instructed otherwise by the surgical center pre-operative nurse.

– Do not drink alcoholic beverages or take recreational drugs 48 hours prior to surgery.

– Smoking may cause problems with anesthesia. It is highly recommended you do not smoke the evening prior to surgery.

– Do not take aspirin, aspirin products, Vitamin E, Motrin, Ibuprofen, Aleve, Advil or any herb or garlic supplement for one week prior to your surgery, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor.

– Tell your doctor if you take Coumadin, Plavix or any other blood thinner.

– Notify your doctor and the surgical center staff if you have an insulin pump, internal or external device such as a pacemaker or defibrillator.

– Notify your doctor and the surgical center staff IMMEDIATELY if you suspect you are pregnant.

– Arrange for an adult to drive you to and from the Surgical Center if you are undergoing anesthesia.

– Remove all nail polish and body piercings.

– If having hand, arm, leg or foot surgery, all jewelry must be removed. If unable to remove jewelry, please consider visiting a jeweler for removal. Otherwise, jewelry may need to be cut off on the day of surgery, which may result in damage to your jewelry.

– Gather required information needed for the day of surgery, including insurance cards, legal documents (such as Power of Attorney or Guardianship documents), completed registration forms and any other information your doctor has asked you to bring to the surgical center.

– Make a list of all of the medications you take, including dosages and frequency. You must bring this list with you.

– You are taking medication for high blood pressure, anticoagulant (blood thinning), diabetes or a nervous disorder.

– You develop a cold, fever, respiratory infection or other illness prior to surgery.

– Women should inform their surgeon if they think they may be pregnant.

– Be present with patient at arrival time to sign paperwork.

– Remain in the facility during their entire visit.

– Bring a copy of the guardianship papers needed for the chart.

Bathe or shower the morning of your surgery, do not use hair spray, body lotion or apply makeup (especially mascara or lipstick). If you shampoo your hair, be sure it is dry.

– Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing and shoes. We will provide you with a gown for surgery.

– Arrive on time to allow adequate time for admission procedures.

– Bring a storage case for glasses, contact lenses and/or a hearing aid.

– If you take medication on a daily basis, remember to bring it in the original bottle.

– Bring medical information such as insurance forms, medical cards, payment and any pertinent test results.

Plan to arrive at the surgery center on time, as you need to fill out paperwork such as a surgical consent form.

A member of the anesthesiology staff will visit with you to discuss the type of anesthesia you will be given. An adult member of your family or a friend may wait with you until your surgery begins.

After surgery, your surgeon will inform you of what you need to eat and drink, your activity restrictions and medication instructions. Of course, if you have any questions regarding your postoperative recovery, you are encouraged to contact your surgeon. For 24 hours after your surgery, adhere to the following:

– Do not drive, sign important papers or make critical decisions.

– You must have a family member or friend drive you home after surgery.

– Do not operate machinery, power tools or appliances.

– Do not drink alcoholic beverages.