Pre-Op Appointment & Instructions

Day Surgery at WakeMed Cary Hospital

Pre-Op Appointment

Your surgeon will schedule a pre-op appointment one to seven days prior to your surgery. You will receive instructions to prepare you for surgery at this time.  This appointment will either be at the hospital or by a scheduled telephone call.

Pre-op Visit at the Hospital

• You will meet with the pre-op teaching nurse and the anesthesiologist.
• Allow up to two hours for the pre-op visit and lab studies. It is not necessary for you to fast for these lab studies.
• Bring a current list of your medications with you to this visit.
• Most outpatient surgeries require pre-operative testing such as blood and urine tests. Some require chest X-rays or EKGs (Electrocardiograms). You may have these tests completed within seven days before your surgery. Depending on your procedure, you may have your testing done on the day of surgery.

If you have had a chest X-ray, EKG (Electrocardiogram), Heart Catheterization, or Treadmill Study within the last six months, please bring a copy of the report to your pre-op visit.  You may also FAX it to 919-350-2562. 

Scheduled Phone Call

• Allow 10 to 20 minutes of uninterrupted time for this phone call.

• Have your current list of medications available and a pen and paper to write down your instructions.

Before Surgery

To prepare for surgery, follow these guidelines carefully:

Outpatients Only

• Arrange for an adult to accompany you to WakeMed Cary Hospital and drive you home following your procedure.  You will not be allowed to drive yourself home or be released to a taxi.
• Arrange for an adult to stay with you at your home for at least 24 hours after your surgery.

All Patients

• Please notify your surgeon if you take aspirin or blood thinners such as Coumadin, Plavix, Ticlid or Effient, and talk to your cardiologist or primary care physician before you stop any of these medications before surgery.
• Discontinue alternative medicine therapies two weeks prior to your surgery.
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages or smoke for 24 hours prior to your surgery.
• Call your doctor prior to surgery if you have a cold, flu or other illness.
• The night before your surgery, do not eat or drink anything between midnight and the time of your surgery, unless approved by the anesthesiologist. This includes water, juice, coffee, chewing gum or breath mints, smoking and alcohol. You may brush your teeth the morning of surgery, but do not swallow any water. It is dangerous to be sedated or put to sleep with food or liquid in your stomach.

Cancellations

Surgery may be canceled when:

• Food and drink guidelines are not followed.
• No responsible adult is available to drive you home or stay with you for 24 hours after surgery.
• There are unexpected changes in your medical condition.
• You arrive late on the day of your surgery.

If you need to cancel your appointment for surgery, please contact your physician.