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Stanford Health Care

Preparing For Your Surgery

Before Your Surgery

We will call you the evening before surgery, (or the Friday before a Monday surgery), to confirm your arrival time and surgery start time. You may call us after 4 p.m. if this is more convenient for you. Please be aware that your surgery start time is subject to change until 4 p.m. the day before surgery.

Eating and drinking before surgery

Please follow these eating and drinking instructions before surgery:

  • Clear liquids like water, clear juice, sports drinks, clear tea, and black coffee, may be consumed until:
    • 3 hours before any ambulatory surgeries
    • 5 hours before any other surgeries
  • Do not drink milk-containing products, alcoholic beverages or drinks with pulp or solids of any kind.
  • Nothing to eat or drink after midnight. You can take needed morning medications with sips of water as directed.
  • Refrain from smoking after midnight and on the day of your surgery.
Medication

Check with your doctor about whether you should discontinue taking regularly scheduled medication. If you are advised to continue taking it, you should take it with just a sip of water.

You will receive a personal medication card before your surgery. Please fill out the card and bring it with you the day of surgery.

Transportation

Regulations do not permit you to drive or take a taxicab. You must arrange for an adult to drive you home after surgery. A taxi driver is not acceptable unless you have a responsible adult to accompany you. Bring the name and phone number of this person with you.