Typical Preoperative Instructions
Specific preoperative instructions are customized for each patient, but this page itemizes a typical preoperative preparation.
Nothhing to eat 12 hours before surgery.
It is OK to take certain prescription medication with a few sips of water. Generally, blood pressure and heart medication is taken with a sip of water. Diabetic medication is NOT taken. Most other medication can be taken after surgery.
Dr. Katsaros will let you know what you should take. BRING ALL YOUR MEDICATION WITH YOU AT THE TIME OF SURGERY.
Wear comfortable, loose clothing.
DO NOT WEAR MAKEUP.
Leave your jewelry at home.
Do not wear underarm deoderant.
Leave at least one nail on each hand unpollished/unpainted.
Do not smoke for two weeks before or after surgery.
Notify our office if you develop a cold, sore throat, cough, fever or any other illness prior to surgery at (219)736-2047.
. Arrive at the office, surgery center, hospital, one half hour before surgery.
After surgery, you do not want to waste your time going to the pharmacy for your narcotic medication. Therefore, have your postoperative prescription medication filled before surgery.
. Stock your kitchen for one week of easy-to-prepare (low maintanance) food. In this way, you or your family will spend minimal time in food preperation. Specifically, purchase these items:
Clear liquids. This includes sports drinks (Gatorade, etc.), juices, posicles, Jello.
Full Liquids. This includes light soups (chicken soup, vegetable soup, rice soup, noodle soup), rice, noodles, bread (not buttered), crackers, simple cookies.
Simple to Prepare Solid Food: Avoid beef, pork, fried food or heavy gravy initially. Eat "anything that has feathers or swims" initially, but not fried. This may include TV dinners (chicken, turkey, fish, vegetable).
Make sure you have straws to drink from.
Make sure you have Tylenol and advil (or ibuprofin or motrin) at home.