Alaska Native Medical Center
Links

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
(Ear, Nose, and Throat Department)

How to prepare for your surgery

This page provides information about how to prepare for your surgery. It will help things go smoothly and safely. If you have any questions, please ask your doctor or nurse!

 

Medicines

* Tell your doctor about any pills you take. Ask if these should be taken the morning of surgery.

* Do not take any medicines containing aspirin or ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) for two weeks before surgery. These medications cause bleeding. They are in many cold medicines that you can buy at the store, so check the labels of any medicines you are taking. Take plain Tylenol if you need pain medicine. It does NOT cause bleeding.

 

Food and Drink

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery (do not drink water, coffee or even chew gum) or your surgery will be cancelled!

* If you were told to take medicine the morning of surgery, use only a sip of water.

 

Make-up and Jewelry

* Remove all eye makeup and nail polish before surgery.

Leave precious jewelry at home or have it sent home with family.

 

Other Precautions

* If you become sick with a fever, cough or a cold within a week of surgery, call (907) 729-1400 right away.

* If you are from outside Anchorage, be prepared to stay in town after surgery as directed.

* We’ll assist in finding a place if you don’t have relatives with whom to stay.

* If you can’t make it for surgery, call as soon as you can to let us know. We will help you schedule for a different date, and we can use the time to help another patient.
*  If you are having day surgery, you must have someone accompany you home from your surgery. You cannot just ride a cab. You must also have an adult spend the first night with you in case there is an emergency.


 

Return to the home page for the Otolaryngology Department.