One Week Before Surgery
You should stop taking any medications that could cause any increased bleeding. These medications include:
- Aspirin (except for low dose aspirin taken for the heart which is an 81mg tablet)
- Ibuprofen, Advil, Naproxen, Aleve, Motrin or any NSAID pain reliever
- All herbal and natural supplements, including fish oil, glucosamine, garlic, and vitamin E (Vitamin E included in a multi-vitamin is safe).
- Blood Thinning Medication (should be stopped 5-7 days before surgery unless otherwise instructed).
- You may take Tylenol and Celebrex until the day of surgery for pain.
A nurse from Magee will call you the evening before your surgery to tell you when to arrive at the hospital. At that time, the nurse will also inform you if you are to take any of your prescription medications the morning of the surgery. If you are to take any medications, do so with only a SIP of water.
What happens the night before surgery?
Stop eating and drinking at midnight the night before surgery (unless you are told earlier by the nurse who calls you). This includes gum, candy, coffee, and water. If this rule is not followed, your surgery could be cancelled.
