Secure a Successful Surgery
Anesthesia
Do not have anything to eat or drink (including water) for the 8 hours before your appointment. If your surgery is scheduled for the morning, avoid food and water after midnight. If you have an afternoon appointment, you can eat and drink lightly (toast, water, tea, or black coffee) in the morning. Do not drink alcohol for the 24 hours before your appointment.
Refrain from smoking at least 48 hours before your appointment. Ideally, it will be most beneficial for your health and healing to minimize or stop smoking as soon as you can before your surgery. Tobacco and nicotine can burn oral tissues and restrict blood and oxygen flow. Healing slows, and the risk of infection significantly increases.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing, short sleeves, and shoes with low heels (or no heels). We’ll need access to your arm during surgery and want you to feel as comfortable as possible. Do not wear jewelry, contacts, or cosmetics (perfume, makeup, lipstick, nail polish, etc.).
For your safety during surgery, you must fully inform our team of any daily medications or supplements, including vitamins and herbal products, blood thinners, insulin, pain or depression medication, or any other substances used medically or recreationally. Certain medications are allowed on the day of surgery, but others may need to be paused days and even weeks before. Patients with asthma should bring their inhalers to the appointment.
You will need a friend or family member to drive you to and from your appointment and to remain in our office (or waiting outside in a vehicle) for your surgery. You cannot drive, operate machinery, or make decisions for the rest of the day.
Do not participate in physical activity or exercise, drive a vehicle, or use machinery for the first 24 hours following surgery.
