HF 6033

Getting Ready for Gynecology Surgery

Date of Surgery: _____________________
Type of Surgery: ____________________
Location: ___________________________
Overnight stay: ____ Yes ____ No

Before Surgery

A nurse will call you 2-3 business days before surgery. They will confirm the time of surgery and when to arrive. They will tell you when you can last eat or drink. They will also tell you what medicines to take or not take the morning of surgery. Have a list of all your medicines including supplements.

You will meet with the doctor and anesthesia before your surgery. They will answer any questions you have.

Instructions before surgery:

  • Arrange for an adult to drive you home and to stay with you the first night.

  • No aspirin or NSAIDS (ibuprofen, naproxen) starting 7 days before surgery. Use acetaminophen (Tylenol®) instead.

  • No herbal supplements starting 7 days before surgery.

  • Leave medicines at home unless your doctor asks you to bring them.

  • Leave personal items at home.

  • No alcohol, smoking or other casual drugs for 24 hours before surgery.

  • Call your clinic to report any cold, fever or illness.

  • Do not shave or wax body hair within 2 days of surgery.

  • If having a surgery with incisions, follow the skin preparation instructions for the night prior to surgery. If no incisions, you may shower the night before or in the morning. Do not use any body lotions, powders, or perfumes after you shower.

  • Remove all jewelry and make-up.

  • Remove contact lenses. Wear glasses and bring a labeled glasses case.

  • Remove dentures. Let us know if you have loose teeth.

Other specific instructions before surgery: ____________________________________
____________________________________

After Surgery

After surgery you will go to a recovery area for 1-2 hours. After that, you will go to either an outpatient recovery room for about 2 hours or a hospital room if staying the night. If having a same-day surgery, you may need to stay the night if there are any concerns.

A nurse will review your discharge instructions. Some of these include:

  • Do not drive a car for at least 24 hours after surgery or while on narcotic pain medicine.

  • Pain medicine can make you drowsy.

  • Take pain medicine when pain first starts or at scheduled times for pain relief.

Call your clinic if you have any questions.