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Preoperative Instructions

The Preoperative Interview

The day before your outpatient surgery/procedure, (or Friday, if the procedure is scheduled for Monday) a nurse will call you to review important information about your procedure.

If you will not be at home, please contact us at: 734-615-4657 to let us know where we can reach you for this interview.

When you are contacted you will be given the following instructions:

• The time you may have your last drink of water
• The time you are to arrive in the Cancer Center procedure check in area
• The time of your surgery
• Review of the pre-operative instructions discussed during your clinic visit.

Please note that the time of surgery is not assigned until the afternoon before the procedure. It is common for times to change due to scheduling emergencies. We will do everything possible to give you correct and timely information whenever it is available.

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Do's and Don't's

Please review the following instructions carefully before your scheduled procedure. We will review them with you during the preoperative interview.

• Before you leave home you may bathe or shower and brush your teeth.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothes and flat shoes.
• Do not wear face or eye makeup or nail polish.
• Do not bring a large suitcase, jewelry, or valuables of any kind such as money, credit cards etc.
• Do bring about $30.00 to pay for any discharge medications if you plan to get these from our pharmacy.
• Do bring your insurance card.
• Remove all jewelry before you arrive at the Cancer Center.
• Do not eat or drink anything after 12 midnight. (This means no coffee, hard candy, gum or food of any kind.) You may drink water up to 3 hours before you check into the procedure area or as otherwise instructed.

Herbal supplements and "over the counter" (nonprescription medications) act the same as prescription medications in your body. They may cause bleeding or other reactions. Please notify your surgeon of any medications and/or supplements you are taking. On the day of surgery, take only those medications which your surgeon or anesthesiologist has approved.

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Things to Bring With You

Pack a small suitcase if you are being admitted to the hospital after your procedure, however this should be left in your car until you are in your hospital room.

Items to bring with you on the day of your procedure include:

• Your blue hospital card
• Your insurance card.
• Any health care records (for example: copies of ECG results, blood bank form, lab results or X-rays).
• Your glasses and/or contact lens case.

If you are going home after your procedure, you MUST have a responsible adult companion drive you home. You cannot drive yourself home after your procedure. A bus or cab is NOT acceptable, unless someone is with you. It is recommended that a responsible adult remain with you for 24 hours after your surgery.

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Medication

Take your medications on the morning of your procedure as your surgeon or nurse instructed you. You may have just enough water to swallow your medications. Please review your preoperative teaching record for the medications you need to take. A nurse will review the medications you are to take the morning of surgery during the pre-operative interview.

Herbal supplements and "over the counter" (nonprescription medications) act the same as prescription medications in your body. They may cause bleeding or other reactions. Please notify your surgeon of any medications and/or supplements you are taking. On the day of surgery, take only those medications which your surgeon or anesthesiologist has approved.

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Of Special Note

Please be sure to remember:

• If you must cancel your procedure appointment, please let us know as soon as possible by calling:
  
  734-936-8800
  
  Please leave a message if we are unavailable to take your call. You must also call your surgeon.
  
• The time of surgery is not assigned until the afternoon before the procedure. It is common for times to change due to scheduling emergencies. We will do everything possible to give you correct and timely information whenever it is available.
  
• Herbal supplements and "over the counter" (nonprescription medications) act the same as prescription medications in your body. They may cause bleeding or other reactions. Please notify your surgeon of any medications and/or supplements you are taking. On the day of surgery, take only those medications which your surgeon or anesthesiologist has approved.
  
• If you are going home after your procedure, you MUST have a responsible adult companion drive you home. You cannot drive yourself home after your procedure. A bus or cab is NOT acceptable, unless someone is with you. It is recommended that a responsible adult remain with you for 24 hours after your outpatient surgery.

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University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center
1500 East Medical Center Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

This site is part of the U-M Health System. The information presented is not a tool for self diagnosis or a substitute for professional care. © 2008 U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center