Day Before Surgery

Preparing on the day before your surgery helps ensure that everything goes smoothly. Atlantic Health System recommends these tips:

• Do not eat or drink anything – including water, food, chewing gum or candy – starting at midnight the night before your surgery. Please keep in mind that fasting requirements may vary based on the type and time of your surgery, as well as your medical history, so be sure to discuss specifics with your surgeon or preoperative nurse.
• Arrange for an adult to take you home after surgery. You will not be permitted to drive yourself, use public transportation or take a taxi alone. In addition, ambulatory or same-day surgery patients must have someone stay with them for 12 hours after discharge. If proper arrangements are not made, your procedure will be cancelled.
• Call your surgeon if you have a rash, fever, cold, cough or wheeze, or you are feeling ill.
• Create a list of your current medications, including the name, dose, and how often you take it. 
• Ask your surgeon or pre-op nurse if you should cease taking any of these medications prior to surgery. Do not stop any medications without being instructed to do so by a member of your health care team. Medications taken before the day of surgery can usually be done so with an
  ounce of water.
• Call your doctor's office the afternoon before your surgery to confirm what time you are to arrive at the hospital and make sure you know how to get to the surgery center.