GENERAL PREOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS

1. You should immediately call your surgeon or physician if you have developed any anomaly or problem since your last visit. If you have a fever, get a cold or the flu, on the days before surgery, please contact the Ambulatory Surgery Centre.

2. On the day before surgery you should take your regular medication (for hypertension, heart, diabetes, etc.) unless your doctor has told you otherwise; you should have dinner normally (a light dinner) before 23 hours and take the prescribed preanaesthetic medication before bedtime (as instructed by your anaesthesiologist).

3. On the day of the surgery:

• If you are scheduled to have surgery in the morning you should have nothing by mouth from the night before, including no solid foods, no liquids, no candy no bubble gum. You are only authorised to drink some water to take your regular medidcation (unless otherwise stated by your physician) and a glass of water to take the preanaesthesia medication two hours before the time scheduled for surgery.
  
• If you are scheduled for surgery in the early or late afternoon, you should not have anything per mouth -no solid foods or liquids, no candy or bubble gum, for at least six hours before surgery (four hours for eye surgery). You will only be allowed to drink water to take your regular medication (unless the doctor has told you otherwise) and a glass of water to take your preanaesthesia medication two hours before the time of surgery.
  
• All make-up, lipstick and nail polish should be removed. Jewellery, money or other valuable belongings should be left at home, but if you have forgotten to leave them at home or you still want to bring them, they should be given to your escort to look after. If the patient is a child, he or she may bring his or her favourite toy.
  
• You should take a shower before you leave home to avoid possible infections and you should wear comfortable and easy to put on and take off clothing.
  
• You should inform the staff of any type of movable prosthesis (contact lenses and/or dentures).
  
• Please, do not bring too many relatives/friends with you, two people at the maximum. When possible, only one a responsible adult person will be allowed in the surgical area (recovery or pre-discharge room) to accompany