Surgery Preparation List

Before your surgery:

  • Make sure all body piercings have been removed. If you can’t remove them, your surgery will be cancelled.
  • If you take Metformin (a medication to control blood sugar), you must stop it 48 hours before your surgery.
  • If you have trouble with constipation, it’s extremely important that your bowels are empty before your surgery. Make sure you follow your constipation plan, if you have one. If you don’t have a plan and you tend to be constipated, talk to your primary care provider. You may take an over–the–counter laxative such as Miralax.
  • Buy clear liquids and light foods such as ginger ale, ice pops, soup, and crackers to have on hand when you get home from the hospital.
  • Talk to your teachers or college professors at least a week or more before your surgery (if you’ll miss any school or classes).
  • Get your homework assignments ahead of time so you won’t fall behind in your schoolwork.
  • Buy a lip moisturizer to take to the hospital.
  • Take a shower with an antibacterial body wash with chlorhexidine the evening before your surgery. You can find this type of body wash (such as Hibiclens®) in the First Aid section of a pharmacy. It’s ok to wash your hair, but don’t use any products such as hair spray, mousse, gel, etc.
  • Remove all nail polish on each of your fingernails. Remove at least 1 acrylic or fake nail from each hand (if you have them).
  • Make a copy of the My Medication and Allergy List (109 kb) and fill it out.

Remember not to bring a lot of money or valuables to the hospital, but do pack a
small bag with the following items:

  • The completed “My Medication and Allergy” list
  • Eye glasses (if you wear them)
  • Lip moisturizer
  • A bottle of water for the ride home (you can’t drink anything before your surgery)
  • An Ipod® and relaxing music (optional)
  • A pillow and blanket for the ride home
  • A book or magazine (you may have some waiting time at the hospital)

The morning of your surgery:

  • Call the hospital at: 617–355–7921 if you have a fever of 101 or higher
  • Brush your teeth, but don’t swallow any water
  • Don’t eat or drink anything after 11:30 pm. You may have CLEAR liquids (such as clear apple juice, water, Gatorade) up until 2 hours before your surgery.
  • If you have long hair, consider braiding it or putting it in a ponytail
  • Don’t put on makeup or use any hair products
  • Remove your contact lenses and wear your eye glasses to the hospital (if this applies to you)
  • Remove all jewelry, including any and ALL piercings (leave them at home). If you can’t remove them, your surgery will be cancelled.
  • Remove all dental appliances and any elastic bands from braces (if this applies to you)
  • Put on loose fitting comfortable clothing
  • Try not to pee at home, because you’ll need to give a urine sample at the hospital

At the hospital:

  • Feel free to ask any questions you may have — there are no silly questions!
  • Tell the nurse if you think you could be pregnant
  • Tell the anesthesiologist or anesthesia team if you or any other close family members have ever had a bad experience with anesthesia (such as vomiting or extreme sleepiness after any procedure)

Before you go home:

  • Collect your belongings from the nurse
  • Get your Post–Op instructions and any prescriptions
  • Ask your doctor any questions you might have about what you can or can’t do (such as sport activities)
  • If your medicine has been called into the CVS pharmacy at Boston Children’s Hospital, remember to have someone pick it up before you leave

Updated: 6/11/2013