Any cardiopulmonary exams deemed necessary will need to be done at least five days before your surgery (if your primary care physician or anesthesiology requests this). Examples: Stress test, Echocardiogram, Pulmonary Function testing, or any heart, lung or kidney testing.

Aside from blood tests that are ordered from your doctor, you may be asked to provide a urine specimen for testing 5 to 7 days prior to surgery to make sure there is no infection. Urine specimens must be free from infection in order for you to be able to have your surgery as scheduled.

A complete list of your medications (including any supplements you take). We will need to know: name, dosage, how often you take each medication and the time of day that your medication is taken. Please use the original bottles to obtain this information.

Allergies/sensitivities and types of reactions.

Medical and surgical history (exact dates of your surgeries are not needed unless your surgery has been within the past year).

Problems you or your family members may have with anesthesia.

If you have ever been diagnosed with MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus), VRE (vancomycin-resistant enterococcus) or C. Difficile.

Only take medications as directed by your surgeon and primary care physician.

Common medications that are sometimes directed to avoid are insulin or oral diabetic drugs, diuretics (water pills), tranquilizers, or pain medications. Aspirin, ibuprofen, diet medications and blood thinners are usually halted seven days prior to surgery. But we advise you to check with your physician and surgeon to get the appropriate list of medications you should discontinue before your surgery.

Bring all your medications in the original bottles including eye-drops, inhalers, and any herbals or supplements. This will help us verify that we have all of your medication information correct for your hospital stay.

Lightly wash your entire body (from the neck down) with a special CHG soap such as Exidine or Hibiclens according to your surgeon's directions. Your surgeon may provide you with the soap, a special nylon sponge and bathing instructions.
Do not wear makeup including eye makeup.

Bring a copy of your Advance Directive (if you have one) and you insurance card and photo ID.

Bring any needed personal items and wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and good walking shoes.

Bring/wear appropriate clothing for your surgery:

Wear eyeglasses instead of contact lenses and bring a container for your glasses.

Bring your CPAP machine if you use one for sleep apnea. It is very common for patients with sleep apnea to spend the first post-operative night at the hospital. Even if you are not scheduled to stay overnight with us, please bring it with you. We will want to monitor your breathing using your normal equipment.

Arrive at the hospital two hours before your surgery and check in at the front desk. However, patients scheduled for a 7 a.m. surgery should arrive at 5:30 a.m.

During your hospitalization or at discharge, vaccines for influenza and pneumonia are available to eligible patients. You may also request to receive a Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis vaccine (Tdap). The number of cases of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, has increased in recent years, even reaching epidemic levels in some states. It is recommended that adults receive the vaccine at any time of the year regardless of when the last tetanus vaccine was received. If you are interested in having these vaccinations during your hospital stay, please let us know and we will discuss with your physician to learn if you are eligible.