Recommendations Prior to Surgery | Costa Rica
Recommendations Prior to Surgery
• Exercise
Exercise is an important way to prepare yourself for surgery. If you don't regularly exercise, start now, but gently. Don't exercise to soreness, especially if surgery is near.
• Sun Exposure
Avoid overexposure to the sun before surgery, and please do not go on a stringent diet, as both can inhibit your ability to heal.
• Medical Tests
Regarding medical tests, you may bring the test results with you, or you may have them done here as part of your pre-op visit at our hospital. If you are uncertain of your health, it would always be best to have tests done at home prior to making travel arrangements. -Required tests are the standard EKG, urinalysis, and pre-op blood tests (full blood count, clotting profile, electrolytes, blood type).
Pre-Surgery Checklist
1.Please notify us of any medical conditions you may have such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or any cardiac problems. These conditions should be stabilized prior to surgery.
2.Please also let us know if you are under any medical treatment for: (Please let us know if you are taking any of the following types of medications)
- Anticoagulants (i.e. coumadin).
- Diuretics.
- Insulin or oral hypoglycemic drugs.
- Medications for high blood pressure.
- Thyroid supplements.
- Contraceptive pills.
3.Please let us know if you are taking any other medications
Four weeks prior to surgery:
- Discontinue oral contraceptives.
Two weeks prior to surgery STOP:
- Drinking alcohol
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
- Vitamin E
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
- Garlic
- Ginseng
- Also discontinue aspirin and aspirin-containing products no later than two weeks prior to your surgery. These products may interfere with healing and contribute to excessive bleeding during surgery.
The day before surgery:
- Shampoo and shower twice.
The night before surgery:
- Do not eat or drink anything after midnight.
- Do not eat 8 hrs. before surgery.
On the day of surgery:
- Do not wear make up, creams or lotions.
- Remove any contact lens.
- Brush your teeth and take a regular shower.
- Approved routine medicines may be taken with a sip of water in the morning.
- Wear comfortable loose fitting clothes. Avoid anything that must be put over your head if you are having facial, breast, or abdominal surgery, wear button front shirts for easy removal. Do not wear high heels, tight jeans, rings, jewelry or nail polish. Leave all valuables at your recovery inn, except your passport and method of paying the doctor (i.e. credit card or travel checks). The hospital has safes for the protection of the items you bring.
- It is suggested that you purchase a pair of thigh-high TED stockings and apply while lying flat.
- If you should develop a fever, cold, flu, migraine, sore throat, diarrhea, rash or other illness, please let us know. Surgery may have to be postponed under certain conditions.
