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Pre-Surgery Checklist

Please follow these general guidelines to prepare for your surgery:

Please bring to our attention any medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or any cardiac problems. Such conditions should be stabilized prior to surgery. Please also let us know if you are under any medical treatment for.

  • Anticoagulants (i.e. coumadin).
  • Diuretics.
  • Insulin or oral hypoglycemic drugs.
  • Medications for high blood pressure.
  • Thyroid supplements.
Two weeks prior to surgery STOP:
  • Drinking alcohol
  • Smoking or chewing tobacco
  • Vitamin E
  • Saint John’s Wort
  • 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 the Costa Rica Medical Center 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.
  • 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.
  • Please keep away from mosquitoes to avoid being bitten. Excessive poison in the blood will result in the postponement of your surgery.
  • Avoid overexposure to the sun before surgery, and please do not go on a stringent diet, as both can inhibit your ability to heal.
  • 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.
  • 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 if over 45 years of age and standard pre-op blood tests (full blood count, clotting profile, electrolytes, blood type).

Please write to us if you have any questions.