Please go to the Miller Pavilion Surgical Center, Desk J1-2 at your scheduled time. 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. DO NOT eat, drink or chew anything after 12 midnight. This includes gum, mints and water.
Bathing: Bathe or take a shower. Wash from your neck down with the antibacterial soap you got at your presurgical appointment.
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. Wash from your neck down with antibacterial soap you got at your presurgical appointment. Do not use powder, cream, lotion or perfume. You can lightly apply deodorant.
Brushing your teeth: After you brush your teeth, gargle with the remaining Listerine for no more than 30 seconds. Do not swallow and water or mouthwash.
Medicine: Follow the instructions you received, and swallow just enough water to comfortably take your pills.
Hair: Wear your hair loosely. Do not use clips, pins, bands or hair spray. If you wear a wig or hairpiece, you will need to remove it before surgery. We will give you a head cover to wear.
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 medicine.* Do not take any type of medicine or supplements without first talking to your healthcare provider.
- A book, cards or puzzles to do while you wait or if your surgery is delayed.
- 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 case. If you need to wear contact lenses, please bring a 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.
*Please bring a one-day supply of your medicine with you. This is in case your surgery is delayed, and you need to take it. If you do not need to take the medicine, please send it home with a family member. We will give you all the medicine you need while you are in the hospital.
What NOT to bring
- Jewelry, including watches, wedding rings and body jewelry.
- Large amounts of cash, credit cards or valuables.
- Due to long waiting periods, we strongly suggest young children stay at home the day of surgery.
Phone numbers
Please do not call the Cleveland Clinic Operator or Admitting Office for information about your surgery. We will contact you if there are any changes to your surgery schedule.
Questions about preparing for surgery?
Call your surgeon’s office.
Questions about your surgery date?
Call the Surgery Scheduling Office.
Days
216.444.4466 or 800.223.2273, ext. 44466.
Evenings and weekends
216.444.9474 or 800.223.2273, request Pager 22490.
Have an urgent matter?
Call 911 or the Cleveland Clinic Emergency Department, any time, day or night 216.444.6749 or 800.223.2273 ext. 46749.
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.
