The night before a procedure or surgery you should shower or take a bath using your normal soap. If your doctor told you to use disposable wipes or a special soap, follow the instructions for Getting Your Skin Ready For Procedure/Surgery found in your Surgery Folder.
You will need to shower with special soap or wipes called chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG), or germ-killing treatment, before surgery. A shower using this soap or wipes will reduce your risk of getting an infection.
CHG Shower and Sleep
This is because all humans have germs on their skin that may cause an infection after surgery.
Sleep on clean bedding and dress in clean clothes after bathing. Hair: Many hair products and hair pieces contain highly flammable products. Your safety is our first priority. That's why we require that you wash your hair the night before or the morning of surgery using only shampoo and conditioner.
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery. This includes water, coffee, gum, or mints. If you do, it may be necessary to cancel your surgery. Do not smoke or use chewing tobacco after midnight the night before your surgery.
Can I brush my teeth the morning of surgery? Yes. You may brush your teeth and swish with a small amount of water to rinse.
You can't wear deodorant during surgery because it can leave a residue on your skin that's difficult to remove. This residue might make it challenging for the surgeon to cut through the incision site or accurately assess your skin circulation during surgery.
Be sure to put on clean clothing. During the morning shower on the day of your surgery, you may use your regular soap to wash your face, but do not wash your hair before using Hibiclens.
Bathing, creams, lotions, deodorants.
Please shower or bathe the night before your surgery. Your surgeon may request bathing with a special soap; please follow their instructions. Creams and lotions should not be worn on the day of surgery. A light application of deodorant is permissible.
Bathe or shower the day of surgery. Do not wear makeup, lotion, powder, deodorant or nail polish. It is important to remove your nail polish so that the doctors and nurses can see your true color during the surgery and in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit.
Before surgery, you can play an important role in your health. Because skin is not sterile, you can reduce the number of germs on your skin by carefully washing before surgery. Please follow these instructions. IMPORTANT: You will need to shower with a special soap called chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG).
Long recovery
Currently, there are no drugs to bring people out of anesthesia. When surgeons finish an operation, the anesthesiologist turns off the drugs that put the patient under and waits for them to wake up and regain the ability to breathe on their own.
Time of Day Matters
When considering the time of day to schedule your surgery, it's often recommended that anytime between 9 AM and noon work best. Bright and early allows every party to feel ready, and it's best to get it done sooner rather than later. This way, you'll have all day to recover.
It is important that you get a good night's sleep before your surgery. If you find you are nervous or anxious the night before, you can take an over-the-counter sleep aid. If you are already on a nerve medication, e.g., diazepam, please contact your primary care doctor for instructions.
Usually, before having a general anaesthetic, you will not be allowed anything to eat or drink. This is because when the anaesthetic is used, your body's reflexes are temporarily stopped. If your stomach has food and drink in it, there's a risk of vomiting or bringing up food into your throat.
Do not shave or wax any area on your body for a week before surgery (legs, bikini, underarms, etc.). Shaving can nick the skin and increase the risk of wound infection. If hair needs to be removed, it will be done at the hospital. 2.
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).
Your surgeon will instruct you to avoid food and water for up to 12 hours before surgery. Fasting before surgery helps prevent complications. This includes nausea and aspiration. Aspiration is when you inhale food or fluids that were in your stomach.
Be sure to eat a light meal as the last thing you consume prior to surgery. Soup is a great option, while a heavy meal with a lot of fat will take longer for your body to digest.
Washing instructions: Wash your hair with shampoo, but do not use conditioner. If your surgery will be on the head or face, wash your hair with baby wash.
Even if it's an outpatient or same-day surgery, compression socks are often prescribed. When you have to be off your feet for a period of time – and particularly for surgeries on the hip, knee, legs or abdomen – there's an increase in your risk for DVT.
Protection of the surgeon
Most obviously, they can act as a physical barrier against blood and bodily fluid splashes during surgery. One prospective study revealed that facemasks prevented blood/bodily fluid splashes that would have otherwise contaminated the surgeon's face in 24% of procedures.
Urinary catheters are often used during surgery, as you can't control your bladder while under anesthesia. For this purpose, a foley catheter is typically placed prior to surgery and keeps the bladder empty throughout.
All nail polish should be removed prior to surgery, including polish on toenails. Patients with long hair should not wear metal hair pins or barrettes. Be sure to remember cases for contacts, glasses or hearing aids.