Before Your Surgical Procedure

General Instructions

  • Please review the printed instructions given to you at your office visit.
  • You may be asked to Pre-register by telephone or online before your procedure.

Pre-Operative Instructions

  • Starting at 12:01 AM (after midnight) on the day of your procedure, do not eat or drink anything, EXCEPT:
    • A small sip of water to take your medications is allowed. (Please ask your surgeon if you you should skip any of your regular medications.)
    • Certain bowel preparation medications are required to be taken on the morning of your procedure if  doing a “2 day” or “Split Prep.
    • Please bring the name, address and phone number of  your preferred pharmacy.

Pre-Registration for CPMC Patients

Medications to Stop Prior to Surgery

Important: Before stopping any of these prescription medications prior to surgery, please check with your cardiologist or primary care physician
  • Anticoagulants: Enoxaparin (lovenox)24 hours
  • Heparin 24 hrs
  • Warfarin (Coumadin) 7 days or nl INR
  • Eliquis (Apixaban) 48 hours
  • Dabigatran (Pradaxa) 2 days if nl renal function
  • Antiplatelets
    • Aggrenox (aspirin and dipyridamole) 5 days
    • Agrylin (angrelide)
    • Clopidogrel (Plavix) 5 full days
    • Dipyridomole (persantine)
    • Ticlid ( Ticlopidine)
    • pentoxyphylline (Trental)
    • Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) 2 days
    • Prasugrel (Effient), Ticagrelor (Brilinta)
Prescription Medications
Diclofenac (Voltaren, Catablam, Arthrotec) Diflunisal (Dolobid) Etodolac (Lodine)
Fenoprofen (Nalfon Fluriprofen (Ansaid) Indomethacin (Indocin)
Mefenamic Acid (ponstel) Meloxicam (Mobic) Nabumetone (Relafen)
Oxaprozin (Daypro) Piroxicam (Feldene) Pletal (Cilostazol)
Refecoxib (Vioxx) Sulindac (Clinoril) Ticlid (Ticlopidine)
Tolmetrin (Tolectin) Valdecoxib (Bextra)
Non-Prescription Medications
  • Ibuprofen: Motrin, Advil, Midol, Nuprin
  • Naproxen: Naprosyn, Aleve, Anaprox
  • Aspirin: Bayer, Excedrin, Bufferin, Anacin, Easprin, Alka-Seltzer, Enteric Coated Aspirin
Herbal Medications
Dong Quai Garlic Gingko Biloba
Ginseng Green Tea Tumeric
Ephedra Feverfew Ginger
Echinacea Kava St John’s Wort
Vitamins Vitamin E/Fish Oil

Arrangements for Leaving the Hospital

Outpatient Procedures

  • You may not leave the hospital after your procedure unless you are accompanied by an adult (family, co-worker friend). Please make suitable arrangements with an adult to drive you home or accompany you on public transportation.  Another option is a  medical car service if no one is available to drive you.

Inpatient Surgery

  • If you live alone or need special assistance after discharge, please tell your surgeon who will arrange for you to be evaluated by a case coordinator or social worker. This will ensure a smooth transition when you return home.