How to Prepare for Surgery

Getting Ready for Your Surgery

A member of the nursing staff will call you to obtain a brief medical history and give you specific instructions about your visit. If you will be unavailable for this call or do not wish to be called, please call our nurse at (973) 322-6375 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at least one day prior to your surgery.

If your physical coniditon changes or if you develop a cough, sore throat or fever, please contact your surgeon immediately. If you are taking anticoagulants, aspirin or products containing aspirin, please contact your surgeon for further instructions.

The Night Before Your Surgery

• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight (including gum and mints). You may brush your teeth, remembering not to swallow anything. Failure to follow these instructions may result in cancellation of your surgery. Patients scheduled for surgery later in the day, diabetics or patients with special dietary restrictions may be given special instructions to prepare them for their procedure.
• Stop taking any medications after midnight unless instructed by your surgeon or a member of our staff. Please bring a complete list of all medications you are taking, prescription and non-prescription. Please bring any inhalers for use on an as-needed basis. If you are a diabetic patient, please bring your own insulin and oral diabetic agents.
• Do not smoke or drink any alcoholic beverages for 24 hours before your surgery.
• Bathe or shower either the morning of or the night before your surgery.
• If you suspect you are pregnant, it is important that you notify your surgeon or the center.
• If you wear contact lenses or glasses, bring a case for their safekeeping. We will provide containers for removable dentures and bridgework. You may be permitted to keep hearing aids with you.
• A responsible adult must drive you home. Failure to have someone drive you home may result in cancellation or postponement of your surgery.
• If the patient is under 18, a parent or legal guardian must accompany the patient to the center to sign the consent.

Day of Your Surgery

• Please report to the Gregori Surgery Center at least one hour before your scheduled procedure.
• Remove all make-up and please do not wear jewelry, hairpins or hair clips. Please leave all valuables, including jewelry, watches, rings, fur coats and cash at home. We cannot be responsible for damaged or lost property.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
• Please bring all insurance cards and forms with you to the center. If you have been told to bring a deposit, please bring the required amount in cash, a credit card or certified/cashier’s check.
• A nurse will meet with you prior to surgery to review your medical history and ask you to sign the appropriate forms.
• Your anesthesiologist will talk to you before surgery to explain the type of anesthesia you will be receiving. Let your anesthesiologist know of any problems you or any family members may have had regarding previous anesthesia experiences.

After Your Surgery

• When you have met the criteria for discharge, you will be permitted to leave the center. For your safety, you cannot leave the center alone following the administration of anesthetic drugs. If you are taking a taxi home, arrange for another adult to accompany you.
• Before leaving the center, you will be given specific written discharge instructions for your care at home. A nurse will explain and demonstrate any special instructions to aid in your home recovery.
• In the unlikely event your recovery becomes unexpectedly prolonged or complicated, your surgeon will arranged admission to Saint Barnabas Medical Center.
• After you have returned home, please be sure to follow your surgeon’s orders.
• In case of emergency, head to your nearest emergency room.

A nurse will phone you the day after your surgery to see how you are feeling and to answer your questions. If you prefer, you may call the center at (973)-322-6200. Please indicate you are calling with a postoperative report.