Surgical Procedures Pre-Op Instructions

Please Keep This Form For Your Use & Reference

1. Do NOT eat or drink anything after midnight, unless instructed by Physician otherwise.
2. Do NOT chew gum, eat hard candy or smoke the morning of surgery.
3. As a General Rule, always follow your Physicians Instructions first.
4. If you normally take heart or blood pressure medicine in the morning, TAKE them with a sip of water the day of your procedure.
5. Do NOT take diuretics that cause you to go to the bathroom frequently.
6. You may shower, shampoo your hair and brush your teeth.  Please do not wear cosmetics, eye make up, lotions, fragrances, jewelry or valuables of any type.  If you are having surgery on your hand or foot, please remove any nail polish from these areas.  Please leave your valuables at home and remove any and all body piercings prior to your arrival at our facility.  Bring only your insurance card and your photo ID.  If you are a contact lens wearer, you may be asked to remove them prior to your procedure, so please bring your solution, storage case, and glasses with you.
7. It is imperative that you have a ride home and someone stay with you for 24 hours following your procedure.  You may not go home in a cab or on public transportation.  Please plan on having your driver remain with you for the entire procedure if at all possible.  A parent or legal guardian must remain in the facility at all times when children under the age of 18 are undergoing procedures at the facility.  Some physicians may not perform your procedure if you do not have a responsible adult present for the procedure due to possible legal issues.  It is illegal for you to drive after sedation.
8. Bring anything you may need for your surgery:  eye kits, crutches, and any radiology studies (X-Rays, MRI, CT scan).  For children:  please bring extra diapers, clean baby bottle, sippy cup, favorite blanket, toy or stuffed animal.  If you have someone to be responsible for your items during your procedure, you may bring personal items to help occupy you during your waiting time.
9. Please arrive at our Center 1½ hour prior to your SCHEDULED procedure time, unless your physician has instructed you otherwise.  Some physicians prefer patients to arrive 2 hours prior to their scheduled procedure in case surgery cases are moving faster than anticipated.  Bring any papers you may have received from your Doctor's office, your Informed Consent, copies of Living Wills, Powers of Attorney, Advanced Directives (if needed for medical treatment of the patient), your insurance card, and a photo ID.  If you have reading glasses, bring them with you.
10. The surgery schedule can have changes in start times up to the afternoon prior to your surgery.  It is imperative that you give us a phone number where you can be reached the afternoon before your surgery.  Please check your messages the evening before your surgery for any changes to your arrival time.  Please rely on the time that the preop screening nurse gave for your arrival;  schedules may change from what you were told when your surgery was initally scheduled.

  ** Preop Screening Phone Numbers:  703-639-3100 ext. 216 or 247 **