Preparing for Surgery

Prior to Day of Surgery

• Prior to surgery a nurse will call you with instructions regarding which medications to take and which to hold prior to surgery.
• Ask your doctor if you should change or quit taking medication(s) on or before surgery day.
• Take approved medications – with a sip of water – the day of surgery as directed by your doctor.
• Diabetics: If you have not received direction from your physician on insulin or oral diabetic medications for day of surgery, call (319) 398-6211 (PASE) for assistance.
• Complete the list of medications/over-the-counter vitamins/herbals and dosages.
• An adult must accompany you on the day of your surgery. The surgeon will speak to your family member after procedure. Your responsible adult will drive you home and need to stay with you for 24 hours afterward to ensure your safety.

Morning of Surgery

• Brush your teeth and rinse your mouth, shower/bathe.
• Thoroughly remove all makeup and nail polish.
• Remove all metal jewelry, including wedding bands and piercings.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing and a button-up shirt.
• Bring case for glasses/contact lenses for use after eye surgery. Bring sunglasses if you have them for use after surgery due to dilated, light-sensitive eye.
• Leave valuables at home.
• Arrive at Mercy’s Hiawatha Medical Park and enter via the Boyson Road entrance; take the elevator to the third floor.
• Patient safety is our #1 goal. You may be asked the same repetitive questions by different staff members and physicians.

Diet Before Surgery – Special Caution!

Please note that failure to follow these instructions can cause the surgery to be cancelled or postponed:

Adults and Children (age 6 months and over)

• No solid food or milk products, shakes or formulas (such as protein drinks or other liquids that are not clear) after midnight the night before surgery.
• Clear liquids only are permitted from midnight until three hours prior to scheduled surgery time. Examples of clear liquids include water, fruit juices without pulp, carbonated beverages, clear tea, and black coffee with no cream or sugar. No broths or jello. No alcoholic beverages.
• No smoking or chewing tobacco on the day of surgery.

Infants (newborn to 6 months)

• Infant formula or non-human milk permitted until six hours before surgery.
• Breast milk permitted until four hours before surgery.
• Clear liquids (water, Pedialyte, clear fruit juice without pulp) permitted until three hours before surgery.

Please call with any questions: PASE at (319) 398-6211 or after hours: Mercy Surgery Center at (319) 398-6533.