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PREPARING FOR SURGERY

We are committed to providing the best possible surgery experience for you and that starts before you arrive for surgery.  Learn more on what to do before your surgery below.

GENERAL PREP

  • A surgery nurse will call you to review your health history and instructions prior to surgery. They will give you an arrival time based on your surgery schedule. You can reach our M Health Fairview Lakes preoperative call center at 651-982-7319

  • If you have sleep apnea and have CPAP equipment or an oral appliance, bring your equipment to the hospital

  • Shower or bathe the night before AND the morning of your surgery.  Follow the instructions your clinic gave you (if no specific instructions use regular soap).

  • Do not smoke the morning of surgery. You may chew nicotine gum up to 2 hours before surgery or use a nicotine patch

  • Stop alcohol the midnight before surgery

  • You will need a driver and caregiver to help you after surgery

FASTING

Healthy Food

You will be asked to fast prior to surgery to prevent aspiration.  Please STOP eating and drinking within the given timeframe listed below:

  • 8 hours before surgery STOP eating. Last normal meal (dairy, orange juice, fried or fatty foods, meats, nuts)

  • 6 hours before surgery STOP eating. Last light meal (dry toast, small snack) or infant formula

  • 4 hours before surgery STOP breast milk

  • 2 hours before surgery STOP clear liquids (water, Gatorade, clear juice without pulp, carbonated beverages, black coffee WITHOUT cream or sugar)

  • Nothing by mouth 2 hours before your scheduled surgery time. This includes gum, candy, breath mints or chewing tobacco

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Here is a sample timeline based on your surgery arrival time:

Arrival Time

Stop Solid Foods

Drink Clear Liquids Until

6 a.m.

10 p.m.

4 a.m.

8 a.m.

Midnight

6 a.m.

10 a.m.

2 a.m.

8 a.m.

12 p.m.

4 a.m.

10 a.m.

2 p.m.

6 a.m.

12 p.m.

MEDICATIONS

Prescription Drugs

  • Most medications should be taken on the patient’s usual schedule the day before the scheduled procedure. We recommend that patients not take most oral medications within 8 hours of their scheduled arrival time. This becomes more complicated when it comes to blood pressure medication

  • We advise that patients SHOULD take their usual dose of beta blocker the morning of surgery. This includes:

    • Metroprolol, Toprol, Carvedilol, Propranolol, Bisoprolol​

  • We advise that patients SHOULD NOT take their ARB (Angiotensin Receptor Blockers) or ACEI (Angiotensin Converting enzyme inhibitors) medication 12-24 hours before surgery. This includes:

    • ACEI: Benazepril, Captopril, Lisinopril​

    • ARB: Losartan, Valsartan, Amlodipine

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If you have questions regarding other medications prior to surgery, such as anticoagulants, please contact your primary care provider.

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