Surgery Day Checklist: Do’s and Don’ts

Surgery day can be the source of many emotions: excitement, hopefulness, nervousness…  However you’re feeling, we’re here to help you prepare. 

From initial booking to the final follow up appointment, it’s important to us that all of our patients feel safe and comfortable throughout the entire process. That’s why any questions or concerns you have should be addressed prior to surgery day. 

If you’re preparing for an upcoming procedure, check out these do’s and don’ts for your big day: 

DO:

• Wear loose-fitting, comfy clothes
  Being physically comfortable is the first step in feeling good on surgery day. Choosing clothes that you can get in and out of easily will make post-op dressing easier.
• Double check that you have your ID and any other important documents
  These are essential items that any surgeon performing any procedure will need on the day-of. If you’re concerned about forgetting yours, try leaving them out the night before so you don’t even have to think about it on your way out the door on surgery day.
• Print out a hard copy of the directions (just in case)
  Scrambling to find the right building or room is the last thing you want to be doing before going into surgery. If you haven’t been to our surgery center before, you can go ahead and print out directions to prevent GPS mishaps, or even make a quick trip to scope out the location in advance.
• Keep water and a light snack in the car for after Surgery
  Numbing agents, anesthesia, and certain pain medications can cause nausea after a procedure. For non-facial surgery patients, having water and a light snack like a granola bar or some saltines may come in handy if you start to feel queasy.Just make sure to run this by Dr. Lucas first! Every procedure and patient responds differently, so he will be your best source for what’s okay to eat and drink after surgery.
• Write down your questions
  There’s a lot going through your mind on (and leading up to) surgery day. Jot down your questions as the day approaches so you don’t forget to ask Dr. Lucas or the nurses on surgery day. Questions may revolve around important topics like medications, post-op expectations, emergency contact info, and beyond. Best to be prepared with all the answers you’ll need!

DON’T:

• Don’t drive yourself
  Find a ride! Even if it’s not a major surgery, you’ll need to find someone who can drive you to/from our office on surgery day. This gives you one less thing to worry about and is required for most procedures in order to keep you safe. The last thing we want is our patients driving impaired, and your loved ones would likely agree!
• Don’t wait until the last minute to prepare your recovery space
  When surgery is over, your priority should be rest and recovery. Spend some time preparing your recovery space beforehand. Some things to be sure to have within reach include: a phone charger, a big glass of water, any prescribed or approved over-the-counter medication, an approved snack, and entertainment (tv remote, puzzles, crafts, etc.). You’ll thank us later!
• Don’t bring anything unnecessary
  Other than your ID and phone, there’s not a lot you’ll need on surgery day. Bringing too many items can just give you (or your driver) more to keep up with during and after surgery.
• Don’t wear makeup or jewelry
  We know how it feels to leave the house without makeup or accessories if you’re used to wearing them. However, you do NOT need to be concerned with looking your best on surgery day. Depending on your procedure, makeup may need to be removed and jewelry will always have to come off anyways, so best to nix these non-essentials for the day.

As always, Dr. Lucas and the rest of our staff at The Lucas Center are here to support you in your journey to real, lasting confidence. If you have ANY questions or concerns that weren’t covered in this quick checklist, please don’t hesitate to contact us prior to surgery day.

Whether your procedure is minor or major, it’s always better to get our team involved in advance to make sure you’re as comfortable and safe as possible on your big day. Because this should be an exciting time in your life, not a stressful one!