Surgical Preparation

Do yourself a big favor.
Always take surgical preparation very seriously.

• Preoperative preparation can include blood work, medical evaluation, chest X-ray and an EKG, depending on your age and medical condition.
  
• After your surgical specialist reviews with you the potential risks and benefits of the operation, you will need to provide written consent for surgery.
  
• Blood transfusion and/or blood products may be needed, depending on your condition.
  
• It is recommended that you shower the night before or morning of the operation.
  
• The rectum and colon must be completely empty before colonoscopy or colon surgery. Usually, patients must drink a special cleansing solution. You may be on clear liquids, laxatives and enemas prior to the operation.
  
• Your surgical specialist or his staff will give you instructions regarding the cleansing routine to be used.
  
• Follow your surgical specialist’s instructions carefully. If you are unable to take the preparation or the antibiotics, contact your surgical specialist.
  
• After midnight the night before the operation, you should not eat or drink anything except medications that your surgical specialist has told you are permissible to take with a sip of water the morning of surgery.
  
• Drugs such as aspirin, blood thinners, anti-inflammatory medi-cations (arthritis medications) and vitamin E will need to be stopped temporarily for several days to a week prior to surgery.
  
• Diet medication or St. John’s wort should not be used for two weeks prior to surgery.
  
• Quit smoking and arrange for any help you may need at home.

If you do not properly complete the above preparations, it may be unsafe to undergo the surgery and it may have to be rescheduled.