Preoperative Instructions

You may visit your surgeon as many times as you wish to have all of your questions answered. At your final preoperative visit, your final questions will be answered and you will confirm that you have understood the procedure to be performed, that this material has been explained to you, that you have read and understood these information sheets, and that you accept the risks by signing the informed consent forms. You will be given prescriptions for surgical soap that is used before surgery, as well as pain pills, antibiotics and instructions for their use. Certain laboratory tests will also be required within two weeks of surgery. If you are over the age of 50, you will have to obtain a cardiogram at your doctor’s office or any licensed laboratory. You may have blood drawn by our office nurse during your final preoperative visit, or, if you prefer, at your family doctor’s office or laboratory (e.g. Kaiser Hospital, etc.) All patients will be asked to stop smoking at least a month prior to surgery in an effort to maximize your body’s ability to heal the incisions following the operation.

As with all other elective procedures, the patient should avoid ibuprofen (Advil®), all aspirin® products and excessive quantities of vitamin E (the small amount contained in most multi-vitamin preparations is not harmful) for two weeks before surgery, as these inhibit the clotting mechanism and increase your chances of unnecessary operative bleeding. 

Patients will be given a prescription for Hibiclens® soap. It will be necessary to scrub the surgical site (from the neck to the belly button, and from one armpit to the other) for ten minutes the evening prior to surgery and for one final time on the morning of surgery before leaving for the surgical suite. Scrubbing the skin with Hibiclens® these two times will decrease the number of bacteria on your skin and lessen the small possibility of developing a surgical infection.

Usually, your anesthesiologist will call you the night before surgery to discuss the anesthetic care plan with you.  But if you miss the call or your anesthesiologist does not call you, do not worry as you will be able to discuss your anesthesia and have all your questions answered in the morning, at the Laguna Hills Surgery Center, prior to your procedure.  As discussed in the general information sheets, it is imperative that the patient makes prior arrangements for transportation to and from the Surgery Center, and to have a responsible adult stay with you for the first 24 hours after the operation.   If desired, the office can help find a nurse to look after you for the first night.