1. ARRIVE ON TIME. You should have the arrival time in your information packet or at least confirm the night before and make the proper notation. If you are late, the surgeon may cancel your surgery and charge you for it anyway. Then the surgery fee is non-refundable.

  2. ARRIVE CLEAN. This means freshly-scrubbed with your instructed soap, clean DRY hair - NO lotions, deodorant powders, perfumes, make-up - zilch!

  3. Wear your surgery "gear" - comfortable, easily-accessible, loose-fitting clothing with slippers.

  4. DO NOT eat or drink anything after midnight on the evening prior to your surgery. Unless your surgery is an evening surgery - which you should abide by your surgeon or anesthesiologist's instructions.

  5. DO NOT bring rings, watches, or other jewelry or large sums of money to the surgery center or hospital; leave these items at safely at home. If they become "lost" - the hospital or surgeon is not responsible.

  6. Take Vitamin C capsules or tablets for approximately 3-4 weeks prior to surgery but ONLY if your surgeon instructs. This is is thought to promote good healing and ward off colds. You may continue to take vitamin C after surgery for a few weeks. Vitamin C has proven to help with healing and bruising. Also, for added anti bruising and anti swelling properties discuss with your doctor the use of: (ALWAYS check with your surgeon before you take anything).

    1. ___ arnica montana
    2. ___ Bromelain, a pineapple extract
    3. ___ Vitamin A
    4. ___ Vitamin C
    5. ___ Vitamin K

  7. Take any medications you were instructed to take with only a few sips of water. Such medications may be Catapres (blood pressure), prednisone, anti-inflammatory, valium, antibiotics, blood thickeners, etc.

  8. Prior to surgery, should you develop any fever, chills or other signs of a cold or other infection, call your surgeon's office immediately. If you do not and HAVE to cancel, you may lose your money as you should never be operated on with already stressed immune system.

  9. Bring with you your instructed meds.

  10. Bring a bucket or can, with a lid and some cool, bottled water to sip and rid you of the nasty taste you get after vomiting. Besides cool water really helps keep the nausea at bay.

  11. Bring your sunglasses - If you're like me you know you don't want anyone to see you looking like that, ha ha! - plus the sun hurts your eyes and can cause a headache. Which is the last thing you need.

  12. Bring a few packs of crackers to help with the nausea. Ritz crackers always seem like the best or those little Goldfish. Some people may like regular saltines. Although you may not be able to eat anything for the first few hours. WATCH YOUR LIPS & INSIDE OF MOUTH! They will be numb and you may bite them. Let the cracker dissolve if you must before swallowing.

  13. Bring some soda water too, flat club soda is the best if it doesn't make you ill.

Notes:

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