A member of our nursing staff will call you a day or two before your surgery to tell you the time to arrive at the surgery center. Questions regarding your health will be asked. You will have an opportunity to ask questions and discuss your concerns. The information you provide will assist us in preparing you for your surgical experience. If you have not heard from us by 2:00 p.m. the day prior to your surgery, please call us at (707) 578-4100.
Follow these guidelines the day before your surgery to ensure that your operation goes smoothly:
- Notify your surgeon before coming to the center if there is any change in your physical condition, such as a cold or fever.
- If you wear contact lenses or glasses, bring a case for their safekeeping. We provide containers for removable dentures and bridgework.
- The guidelines listed below apply to HEALTHY patients of any age. HEALTHY patients are defined as those without a history of symptomatic hiatal hernia or GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease). They also should NOT be currently taking regular daily GI medications such as prilosec, pepcid, zantac, reglan or propulsid or have a history of difficult intubation with previous general anesthetics. Other than diabetic patients, all of the above patients should be totally void of all food and liquid for 8 hours prior to the scheduled surgery time. For insulin dependent diabetic patients, please consult with anesthesia for individual instructions prior to surgery.
Healthy Patient Guidelines:
- Clear Liquids (water, fruit juices without pulp, carbonated beverages, clear tea, black coffee) may be consumed up until 3 hours prior to time of scheduled surgery.
- Solid Food may be consumed up until 8 hours prior to time of scheduled surgery (including non-clear liquids, such as milk, cream, orange juice).
For infants and children who are breast or bottle fed, the guidelines are as follows:
- Clear Liquids by Bottle (water and fruit juices without pulp) may be consumed up until 3 hours prior to scheduled surgery time.
- Formula/breast Milk may be consumed up until 4 hours prior to scheduled surgery time.
For all of these guidelines the important message is WHAT can be consumed and When. The amount of liquid ingested can be left up to the patient, but they should be cautioned to use common sense.
Patients will be told of the seriousness of these guidelines, and they will be informed that surgery could be canceled if the guidelines are not followed.
Please do not take any medication after midnight unless instructed by your physician or our staff. If you are diabetic or on blood pressure or heart medication, obtain specific instructions from your physician or contact the surgery center.
Additional Information