Preparing for Same-Day/Outpatient Surgery
You may want to print out this page to help you as you plan and prepare for your surgery date.
Prior to the Procedure Date
- Please verify with your doctor which medications you should or should not take the morning of surgery.
- If you are on blood thinners, ask your surgeon when they should be stopped.
- Herbal medications and weight-loss medications should be stopped 14 days before surgery.
- Call your insurance provider as soon as your procedure is scheduled.
- Complete all necessary insurance pre-authorization.
- Plan for someone to drive you to and from the hospital and stay with you while at the hospital. Plan for someone to stay with you at home for at least 24 hours after your procedure.
- Please make arrangements for children to stay at home while you are at the hospital.
- DO NOT eat or drink anything after midnight before surgery, unless otherwise instructed. This includes water, chewing gum and mints. It is important to keep your stomach completely empty until after surgery.
- DO NOT drink alcohol 24 hours before surgery.
- Smoking can affect your recovery from surgery. It can slow healing of bones and wounds. Peace River Regional Medical Center is a smoke-free campus, and you will not be allowed to smoke during your hospital stay.
- If you become ill (cold, flu, fever, diarrhea) or have a problem prior to your procedure, call your surgeon or Peace River Regional Medical Center: (941) 766-4836.
1 Day before your surgery
Call to confirm your surgery at Peace River Regional Medical Center by dialing, (941) 766-4836.
Write your surgery time below:
Time to arrive at hospital: __________ a.m./p.m.
Time scheduled for surgery: __________ a.m./p.m.
Write any special instructions:
Medications to bring: ____________________________________________________
No solid foods after (time): __________ a.m./p.m.
Water and or 7-UP™ (clear liquids) OK until: __________ a.m./p.m.
Start strict fasting (no food or liquids) at:_______
Items to bring to the hospital: _____________________________________________
For a list of suggested items, click here.
Other: ________________________________________________________________
Arrange for your ride home:
People respond differently to surgical procedures and anesthesia. We are concerned about your well-being and want you to recover as safely as possible, so we recommend that a responsible adult drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours after surgery.
Name: ___________________________
Phone: ___________________________
On the Day of Surgery
Take regularly scheduled medications with no more than 2 oz. of water, unless your physician has told you not to take them. Exception: Diuretics (water pills) and oral diabetic medications.
When You Arrive at Peace River Regional Medical Center, please enter the hospital through the Same Day Surgery entrance unless otherwise instructed. Follow the signs for Pre-Op Testing. Inform the greeter that you are here for surgery and you will be provided all remaining instructions.
Legal guardians or parents must sign consent forms for those under 18. If a patient is unable to sign, a legal guardian, family member or power-of-attorney may sign for the patient. We require updated copies of power-of-attorney documents. If the guardian cannot come on the day of the procedure, arrangements can be made in advance. We cannot proceed without the proper signature and documentation.