Preparation in advance of your Surgery

Plan and coordinate with your family members (or friends) to determine how you will get to New York Hospital Queens on the day of surgery.

If you have outpatient surgery you will be able to go home on the same day. However, since you will experience some effects of anesthesia even after your surgery is completed, you will not be able to leave by yourself.

At pre-admission testing, a review of your medications will be performed. At this time, you will be notified of which medications must be stopped prior to surgery and which medications you may take up to and including the day of your procedure.

Although it is a good idea to stop smoking in general, we realize that people do smoke and it is not realistic to think that they can quit before their surgery. However, since stopping smoking helps to improve overall healing, our surgeons recommend that you stop smoking at least one month prior to surgery and continue to avoid smoking 6-12 weeks following surgery.

To reduce the risk of introducing infections into the bloodstream, it is recommended that all dental procedures (extractions, cleanings, etc.) be performed two weeks prior to surgery.

Preparation the night before surgery

• Review this guide thoroughly.
• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight.

On the day of surgery

• Do not eat or drink ANYTHING.
• Take only the medications that you have been instructed to take by your physician, pre-admission PA or nurse with only a small sip of water.
• Shower (this may also be done the night before).
• Brush your teeth.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing.
• Wear eyeglasses, not contact lenses.
• You will need to have arrangements made for someone to accompany you home on the day of surgery; you will not be allowed to leave on your own.

What to bring to the hospital

• List of medications.
• Cases for your dentures/hearing aids/eyeglasses.
• Names and phone numbers of your emergency contacts.

What to leave at home

• Valuables
• Medications