Preoperative Instructions

BEFORE YOUR SURGERY:

1. ARRANGE TRANSPORTATION HOME WITH SOMEONE YOU KNOW after your surgery. Your ride must remain within a 15-minute drive of the OR. Driving yourself is not allowed. Taxi or bus is not acceptable unless a friend accompanies you.

2. Do not take aspirin for two weeks before surgery (acetylsalicylic acid) or aspirin-containing products as they increase bleeding. Tylenol is the best pain medication to take as it will not increase your bruising or bleeding.

3. Call the office well before your surgery day if you cannot remove rings from the hand having surgery: they have to be removed!

4. Do not eat or drink anything after 12:01 a.m. on the day of your surgery, i.e. nothing after midnight the night before your surgery. No chewing gum, smoking, coffee, or tea. You may take the smallest sip of water for medications that your physician instructs you to take before surgery.

THE MORNING OF YOUR PROCEDURE:

1. Bring all prescription medicines, including medications you take regularly and the medications we prescribed, to the office the morning of your procedure.

2. Take all your usual prescription medications with a sip of water.

3. Do not eat or drink anything else before surgery. Do not chew gum or tobacco. Do not smoke.

4. Come to the operating room at the time indicated. If that time is after 10:00 a.m., call 650-344-8646 thirty minutes before you leave for your surgery appointment to verify whether we are running ahead of or behind schedule.

5. Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing.

6. Leave contact lenses, rings, all jewelry, and valuables at home.