Patient Information · Pre-Operative Guide
Before Anesthesia
Sedation and general anesthesia are very safe when a few simple rules are followed. This guide covers the essentials: fasting hours (NPO), routine medication pauses and your mandatory adult escort. It also walks you through how to prepare in the days and hours before surgery.
8 hours nothing to eat or drink
Adult escort required to drive you home
24 hours no driving after sedation
The Essentials
Three rules for a safe sedation
These three steps make the biggest difference to your safety and comfort. If you cannot follow one of them, call our office before your appointment.
Fasting (NPO)
An empty stomach protects your airway while you are sedated. If you have eaten or had anything to drink, we will need to reschedule for your safety.
- Nothing to eat or drink for 8 hours before your appointment, including water, coffee, gum, mints and candy.
- Take approved medications with only a small sip of water.
- Brush your teeth the morning of surgery, but do not swallow the water.
- No alcohol for at least 24 hours before your procedure.
Medication Pauses
Most daily medications should be taken as usual. A few need special instructions, so review everything you take with our team at your consultation.
- Take routine blood pressure, heart, seizure and thyroid medications with a small sip of water unless we tell you otherwise.
- Never stop a blood thinner without approval from the doctor who prescribed it.
- Insulin and other diabetes medications usually need adjusted dosing while you are fasting. Ask us for instructions.
- Weekly GLP-1 medications (such as Ozempic®, Wegovy® or Mounjaro®) may need to be paused. Tell us if you take one.
- List supplements too. Fish oil, vitamin E and ginkgo can increase bleeding.
Your Adult Escort
Sedation medications affect your judgment and reflexes for the rest of the day, even when you feel alert.
- A responsible adult (18+) must come with you, stay in the office during your procedure and drive you home.
- Taxis and rideshares are not allowed unless your escort rides with you.
- Your escort should stay with you for the rest of the day.
- For 24 hours, do not drive, operate machinery, drink alcohol or make important decisions.
Your Timeline
Preparing, step by step
A simple checklist to follow in the days leading up to your procedure.
Step 01
One week before
- Complete your online intake form.
- Review your medications with your prescribing doctors.
- Confirm your escort’s availability for the whole appointment.
- Fill any prescriptions ahead of time.
- Stock soft foods, ice packs and extra pillows at home.
Step 02
The day before
- No alcohol.
- Avoid smoking, vaping and marijuana. Ideally stop 24 hours before surgery and stay off them afterward.
- Note the time your fasting window starts.
- Lay out loose, comfortable clothes.
- Get a good night’s sleep.
Step 03
The morning of
- Nothing by mouth except approved medications with a small sip of water.
- Remove contact lenses, jewelry and piercings.
- Skip makeup, lotion and perfume. Remove nail polish from at least one finger.
- Arrive 15 minutes early with your escort.
Step 04
After you get home
- Rest with your head elevated.
- Keep your escort with you for the rest of the day.
- Start with cool liquids and soft foods.
- Follow your post-operative instructions and call us with any concerns.
Day of Surgery
What to wear & what to bring
What to wear
- Loose, comfortable clothing with short sleeves (or sleeves that roll up easily) for your IV and monitors.
- Flat, comfortable shoes.
- Glasses instead of contact lenses.
- No jewelry, piercings, makeup or heavy lotions.
- Bare nails on at least one finger for the oxygen monitor.
What to bring
- Photo ID and insurance cards.
- A current list of your medications and doses.
- Your inhaler, if you use one.
- A glasses case, if you wear glasses.
- For patients under 18: a parent or legal guardian must be present to sign consent.
Before Your Appointment
Call our office first if…
Rescheduling is always the safe choice. Let us know ahead of time so we can adjust your care.
Your health has changed
- You develop a cold, fever, cough, flu or nasal congestion.
- You start a new medication or change a dose.
- You are or could be pregnant.
- You have a new diagnosis or were recently hospitalized.
Your plans have changed
- You ate or drank anything during your fasting window.
- Your escort can no longer come with you.
- You used alcohol or recreational drugs in the last 24 hours.
- You have questions about any instruction on this page.
In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Get Ready
Questions before your procedure?
Complete your intake form ahead of time so our team can review your health history, or request a consultation to go over your plan in person.
These are general guidelines. Your surgeon will give you personalized instructions based on your health history and procedure. If those instructions differ from this page, follow your surgeon’s instructions.
