Before undergoing surgery, it is important to take certain precautions to ensure a safe and successful procedure. To prepare for surgery, it is recommended to remove all piercings and jewelry, and avoid smoking, chewing tobacco, drinking alcohol, and using makeup, nail polish, deodorant, perfume, or scented lotion on the day of the procedure. Additionally, it is important to not eat food, chew gum, or eat any type of candy (including cough drops) after midnight before the surgery. If you are taking any medication prior to the surgery, it should be stopped one to two weeks (7 to 14 days) before the procedure as it takes that long for the medicine to leave the body.
A physical exam may not be necessary for those who are scheduled for low-risk surgery and do not have any chronic health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, or heart disease. However, if you do not have a physical exam before surgery, a member of the anesthesia team will meet with you on the day of the procedure to answer questions and gather information about your general health. At some Mayo Clinic Health System centers, a preoperative screening clinic (POE) is available if you do not have a primary care provider or cannot schedule an appointment with your primary care provider in time. As you prepare for surgery, it is important to do what you can in the weeks and days before to prepare yourself mentally and physically.
Taking these steps can help ensure a successful outcome.
