Please follow these important instructions before you come to the hospital for your surgery.
The evening before surgery
Eating and Drinking: Eat a normal meal the evening before your surgery. DO NOT eat, drink or chew anything after 12 midnight. This includes gum, mints and water.
Bathing: Bathe or take a shower. Use the antibacterial soap you got at your presurgical appointment. Wash from your neck down.
Brushing your teeth: After you brush your teeth, gargle with the Listerine you received. Use half the bottle and gargle for no more than 30 seconds.
The morning of surgery
Eating and Drinking: DO NOT eat, drink or chew anything. This includes gum, mints and candy.
Bathing: Bathe or take a shower. Use the antibacterial soap you got at your presurgical appointment. Wash from your neck down. Do not use powder, cream, lotion or perfume. You can lightly apply deodorant.
Brushing your teeth: When you brush your teeth, do not swallow any water. After you brush your teeth, gargle with the remaining Listerine. Do not swallow the mouthwash. Do not gargle for more than 30 seconds.
Medications: Follow the guidelines on the restricted medications list. Take only the medications that you were told to take the morning of surgery. Take them with just enough water to swallow them comfortably.
Hair: Wear your hair loosely. Do not use clips, pins or bands. Do not use hair spray. If you wear a wig or hairpiece, you will need to remove it before surgery. We will give you a head cover before you go into surgery.
Cosmetics/Nails: Do not wear makeup or nail polish. If you have nail tips/wraps/gels, you will need to remove them from at least one finger on each hand (the index or middle finger is best). This lets us keep track of your oxygen level during surgery.
What to wear: Dress in comfortable, easy-to-fold clothing. The clothing you wear to the hospital will be returned to the person who comes with you.
What to bring to the hospital
- Your surgery binder.
- A one-day supply of your prescription medications* Do not take these or any other medications or supplements without first talking to your healthcare provider.
- A book, cards or puzzles to do while you wait if your surgery is delayed or scheduled for later in the day.
- Guided imagery files/CD and player. Please see the handout in your surgery binder for more information.
- Hearing aid, if needed. Please wear it so you can hear and understand everything we say. We will give your hearing aid to a family member before surgery.
- Glasses and contact lenses: Wear glasses, if possible, and bring a glasses case. If you need to wear contact lenses, please bring a lens case and solution.
- Dentures: Please bring a denture cup with you. You will need to remove all non-permanent dental work before your surgery.
- Personal items: We want your hospital stay to be as comfortable as possible. Closet space is limited. However, you can pack a bag with your robe, slippers, limited toiletries and anything else you need for your comfort. You will not need this bag until you are moved to the step-down unit. Until then, your family should keep your bag in the car or hotel room.
What NOT to bring
- Jewelry, including watches, wedding rings and any body jewelry.
- Large amounts of cash, credit cards and all other valuables.
- Due to long waiting periods, we strongly suggest young children stay at home the day of surgery.
*Please bring a one-day supply of medications with you. This is in case your surgery is delayed or scheduled for the next day. If you end up not needing the extra medications, please send them home with a family member. You will be given all the medications you need while you are in the hospital.
Cleveland Clinic is not responsible for lost or stolen articles. This includes, but is not limited to, clothing, jewelry, money, credit/debit cards, glasses, contact lenses, cell phones, wireless electronic devices and laptop computers.
