Before Surgery at the Outpatient Surgery Center (OSC) in Waltham

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Diet Instructions
Pre-Surgery Preparation
Frequently Asked Questions

Diet Instructions 

Please follow the below instructions about eating and drinking. Otherwise, your surgery may be cancelled. 

Patients taking a GLP-1RA (for weight loss, diabetes, etc)

If you are taking a GLP-1RA medication such as, Ozempic®/Wegovy® (semaglutide), Mounjaro®/Zepbound® (tirzepatide), Trulicity® (dulaglutide), Victoza® (liraglutide) or other similar medication, it is important to follow these guidelines:

Maintain a clear liquid diet the entire day before your procedure.

• Do NOT eat any solid food
• You may have any of the following: apple juice, clear, fat free broth, cranberry juice, Gatorade®, Jello®, popsicles without fruit, water, black coffee, or tea with NOTHING added to it
• Drink only clear liquids (liquids you can see through)

Starting at 10 PM the night before surgery only drink these clear liquids:

• Apple juice, Gatorade®, water, or the clear drink your surgeon’s office may have provided
• Do NOT add anything to these clear liquids

2 hours before your hospital check-in time

• Stop drinking clear liquids including water

Patients NOT taking a GLP-1RA will follow these guidelines

After 10 pm on the day before your surgery or procedure:

• Do not eat any solid foods or dairy products
• Do not chew gum or eat candy
• Stop all tube feedings

While awake, you may drink the following clear liquids:

• Apple juice
• ClearFast®
• Coffee without any milk, cream or non-dairy creamer
• Cranberry juice
• Gatorade
• Grape juice
• Pedialyte
• Powerade
• Soda (regular or diet)
• Tea without any milk, cream or non-dairy creamer
• Water

2 hours before your hospital check-in time:

• Stop drinking clear liquids including water

If your surgeon has instructed you to follow the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol, please find it here.

Pre-Surgery Preparation

Pre-surgery preparation begins at your surgeon's office. If you need labs and an EKG before surgery, your surgeon will arrange these for you. 

A registered nurse will call you two to seven days before your surgery for a phone interview. The nurse will review your medical history with you, what to expect at the OSC, document your allergies, confirm the part and side of your body that will be operated on, and answer any questions. An anesthesiologist will review your records and contact you, if needed.

For patients undergoing a total hip or total knee replacement, we have created a patient education video library. These videos will help prepare you for what to expect the day of your total hip or total knee replacement surgery. You can hear from our nursing team, anesthesia team and physical therapy team about what your total hip or total knee replacement surgical day will entail. Watch the videos.

Making Arrangements 

Stop smoking: If you smoke, we ask that you try to stop smoking ahead of your surgery. You will not be able to smoke while in the OSC. If you would like help with trying to stop smoking, call the Mass General Quit Smoking Service at 617-726-7443 or call the Massachusetts Smokers Helpline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW. 

Arrange for a ride home: You are going home on the same day of your surgery, and you must have a reliable adult take you home. We prefer that your ride remain at the OSC during your surgery. Please be sure that your ride is 100% available to you for the day of surgery and has no other commitments. Our surgical schedule is subject to change, and this happens with some regularity. Your time could move up or be delayed. 

Secure at-home care: Arrange for someone to stay with you at your home for the first 24 hours after surgery. 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. 

Prepare your home for your return after surgery: Have your shopping and laundry done, prepare some meals ahead of time, and plan for car rides, as you may not be able to drive for a while. 

Business Day Before Surgery

If you do not have a confirmed time for your surgery, please contact your surgeon's office in the afternoon on the day prior to surgery. 

Evening Before Surgery 

It is very important that you are rested before your surgery. In preparation, write down the name and contact number of the person taking you home after surgery as you will be asked for this information when you get to the OSC. If your ride is not with you when you check in, we will need to confirm your ride prior to getting you ready for your procedure. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Will I have an opportunity to talk with an anesthesiologist?

On the day of your surgery, you will meet with the anesthesia team who will be with you in the operating room throughout the surgery. They will have already reviewed your medical history in full, and will be happy to answer your questions and provide information about the appropriate anesthetic for your surgery. 

If I have questions about my surgery ahead of my appointment, who should I call?

Please call your surgeon’s office with any questions. 

Can I take a taxi or other ride service (Uber, Lyft, etc.) home on the day of surgery?

Because you will have received anesthesia, you may not go home alone in a taxi or ride service. You may take one only if you have a responsible individual accompanying you who will make sure you safely get into your home.