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Preparation During the Day Before Surgery
Make Arrangements
- If you and your surgeon have planned for you to go home on the same day as your surgery, then please arrange for an escort home. You must have a reliable adult take you home.
- If you will not be staying at the hospital overnight, then please arrange for someone to stay with you for the first 24 hours.
- Prepare your home for your return after surgery. Have shopping and laundry done. Prepare some meals ahead of time.
- Plan for car rides, as you may not be able to drive for a while.
- If you have small children, dependent adults or animals that you care for, arrange to have someone help you watch them during the first few days after surgery.
On the Business Day Before Your Surgery
- If you do not yet have a confirmed time for your surgery, contact your surgeon's office.
The Evening Before Your Surgery
Diet Instructions:
- Do not eat or drink after midnight unless otherwise instructed. This includes food, all liquids, hard candy, gum, and mints.
- Please follow your instructions about eating and drinking. Otherwise, your surgery may be cancelled.
- It is very important that you are rested before your surgery, try to sleep.
- Write down the name and contact number of the person taking you home after your surgery. You will be asked for this information when you get to the surgery center.
- Write a list of all your medications and dosages. You will be asked for this list when you arrive at the surgery center.
- If you plan to have your prescriptions filled at the Mass General Pharmacy, you will need your MGH Blue Card, money or credit card, and your health insurance card.
The Day of Surgery
- Remember, do not eat or drink anything unless you were given different instructions.
Medication:
- If you have been instructed to take any medication, take it with a small sip of water.
- If you were told to bring medication to the surgery center, bring it with you.
Getting Dressed:
- Do not wear any jewelry. This includes wedding rings, earrings and other body piercing. All jewelry must be removed prior to surgery.
- Do not wear nail polish, hair spray, body lotion, perfume or make up.
Getting Ready:
- Do not bring valuables to the surgery center.
- Bring your glasses and a case for storing them. You will not be able to wear contact lenses during surgery.
- Bring your dentures or hearing aides and cases for storing them.
- You may bring a book or magazine to read before your go into surgery.
- Bring your MGH Blue Card.
- Plan to arrive at the surgery center at the time your surgeon's office instructed you to.
IN PREPARATION FOR YOUR SURGERY: IF YOU SMOKE: TRY TO STOP SMOKING.
You will not be able to smoke while in the surgery center. If you would like help with trying to stop smoking call the MGH Quit Smoking Service at 617-726-7443 or call the Massachusetts Smokers Helpline at 1-800-TRY TO STOP.
When You Arrive at Mass General
- You will get a gown, robe and slippers to wear. You will also get an identification bracelet, which you should keep on until you leave the surgery center.
- Before your surgery you will meet a nurse, an anesthesiologist and a certified nurse anesthesiologist.
Waiting Area for Your Escort, Family Member, or Friend:
- Once you have gone to the operating room, your escort or family member may wait for you in our waiting room.
- Our staff will let your escort or family member know how you are doing and when you will be ready to go home.
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