PRE-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS.

Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.

You may eat breakfast and take your medications on the day of the appointment.

No aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, Vitamin E, or St. John’s wart should be taken for 7 days prior to surgery.  If you have a history of heart disease or stroke please speak with your primary doctor or cardiologist before stopping aspirin. In many cases it is not necessary to stop coumadin or Plavix prior to surgery but please inform the doctor at your preoperative visit if you are taking any of these medications.

No alcohol should be consumed for 48 hours prior to surgery.

Please inform the doctor if you have been told by your primary care physician or cardiologist that you need antibiotic prophylaxis prior to surgery.

Please inform the doctor prior to surgery if you have any bleeding disorders, a pacemaker, or a history of allergy to medications.

You may drive yourself to surgery and in most cases you should be able to drive yourself home.  The doctor will inform you in advance if she believes you will be unable to drive after surgery.

Most surgeries take approximately one hour but more complicated cases can take longer.  Please keep your schedule open on the day of surgery and plan to rest at home afterward.