Your upcoming surgical procedure will be best met with a prepared mind and a healthy body. The following recommendations will help you in achieving both of these goals.

To prepare your body for optimal healing following surgery, you can begin taking one multi-vitamin daily during the two weeks before surgery. Otherwise, you may continue with your current diet until the night prior to surgery. You should not eat or drink anything after midnight on the night before your surgery.

Keep your body in as good a shape as possible in preparation for your surgery. If you have the opportunity to do so, daily exercise such as walking, jogging, or swimming can help. Depending on your age, past medical history, and what procedure you will be having, you may require a pre-operative evaluation by your internist. Such a pre-operative evaluation will provide us and your anesthesiologist with the medical clearance that may be needed prior to your surgery.

Your body needs a healthy circulatory system at the time of your surgery. Because cigarette smoke impairs the circulation by tightening your blood vessels, it is recommended that you not smoke or be in a closed area with smokers in the weeks prior to your surgery. This will also make your lungs healthier and aid your recovery from anesthesia. Since the effect of cigarette smoking is related to nicotine, you must also avoid nicotine patches or nicotine containing chewing gums.

Certain medications must be avoided prior to surgery as they may increase bleeding. Make sure to inform us about what medications you take regularly. For at least two weeks before your surgery, do not take aspirin or aspirin containing medications (e.g., Excedrin, Anacin, etc.). Similarly, other anti-inflammatory pain medications may affect bleeding and should be discontinued (e.g., Motrin, Advil, Naprosyn, etc.).

We hope that all of your questions regarding your upcoming surgery have been answered during your pre-operative visits to our office. Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us so that we may discuss them prior to your surgery.

Elective surgery and anesthesia are both extremely safe when appropriate preoperative measures are taken. There are normal physiologic changes that occur during and after surgery, and it is our goal to insure that your body will respond appropriately to these changes. It is also our goal to minimize any potential risks of surgery by working to prevent complications. Such preventive foresight begins with your preoperative evaluation in our office.

Potential surgical risks that we work to prevent include infection and bleeding. Other more specific risks related to the particular procedure you will be having will be discussed with you during your pre-operative consultation. If you have any previous coexisting medical problems, such as chronic diseases of the heart, lungs, or kidneys, additional potential surgical risks may be related to these conditions. There are also specific risks related to diabetes, smoking, and the use of steroids.

DIABETES: Individuals with diabetes may require more careful monitoring before and after surgery. Because of the metabolic changes that occur with surgery, changes in blood sugar levels may require adjustments of insulin doses or changes in oral medications. These adjustments and changes will vary from individual to individual, and will compensate for blood sugar changes during surgery as well as during periods when food is not allowed.

The risk of infection is slightly greater for the diabetic. This is because of changes in blood flow as well as changes in immune function related to diabetes. We always take all the appropriate precautions to minimize your risk of postoperative problems.

SMOKING: Smoking before any surgical procedure can increase the potential for complications. Since cigarette smoke negatively affects your circulation by tightening your blood vessels, you should not smoke or be in an enclosed area with smokers in the weeks prior to your surgery. This will also make your lungs healthier and aid in your recovery from anesthesia. Since the effect of cigarettes is related to nicotine, you should also avoid nicotine patches or nicotine containing chewing gums.

STEROIDS: Some individuals require steroid therapy for pre-existing medical problems. Please inform us if you have taken any steroid medications over the past year. Steroid therapy can affect wound healing and may increase the risk of infection after surgery. If you are currently taking, or have recently taken steroid medications, adjustments in the doses of your medication may be required at the time of your surgery. As always, every precaution will be taken to minimize your risk.