• Your surgeon will arrange for the following:
• Health history
• Medical clearance from your general doctors (if needed)
• Any laboratory testing
• Avoid using aspirin, aspirin-like medications, or ibuprofen during the three weeks before surgery. Acetaminophen may be used at any time
• If you use prescription "blood thinners," be sure to discuss this with your doctor well in advance of surgery.
• If you take a Vitamin E supplement, stop two weeks before.
• Other common supplements known to prolong bleeding include gingko biloba, ginseng, glucosamine-chrondroiton sulfate.
• Unless advised otherwise, continue using your regular medications.
• Try to cut down on smoking and alcohol intake in the weeks leading up to surgery.
• Supplies that may be handy following surgery:
• ice cubes
• washcloths
• clean basin to hold water
• gallon-size Ziploc bags (to make ice packs), or
• package of frozen baby peas
• sterile gauze pads
• bottle of acetaminophen
• bottle of artificial tears
• Arrange for someone to drive you to and from your surgery.
• If possible, someone should be with you on the afternoon and evening of your operation.
• If your surgery is at the hospital or a surgicenter, do not eat or drink after midnight unless instructed otherwise.
