Instructions before surgery

Adequate preparation before surgery will make your overall experience better and safer:

If having IV sedation:

  • Avoid food or drinks (including water) for eight hours before surgery.
  • Arrange to have someone at least 18 years old accompany you to your surgery appointment and drive you home afterward. You may be drowsy for a while after anesthesia, and driving yourself is unsafe.
  • Wear loose, comfortable clothing with sleeves that can be rolled up easily.
  • Avoid smoking for at least 48 hours before surgery.
  • Remove fingernail polish to allow for oxygen monitoring.
  • Do not wear contact lenses.
  • Do no wear eye makeup or lipstick.
  • Medications- Adhere to any medications you normally take as recommended by your physician or prescribed by Dr. Kazemi prior to surgery. Any medications taken on a daily basis may be taken on the morning of surgery with a small sip of water.
      • Anti-coagulants (blood thinners): Per instructions and consultations with your physician, stop the anti-coagulant medications 3-5 days before surgery (The exact interval is based on type of medication)
      • Asthmatic patients: Please bring your inhaler with you on the day of surgery.
      • Diabetic patients: If you are insulin-dependent, please take 1/2 of your normal dosage the morning of surgery.
      • Steroid medications: On the morning of surgery, please double your normal dosage of medications.
      • Vitamin D Supplementation: Patients undergoing significant bone grafting and dental implant treatments are recommeneded to take 5000 units daily, starting 2 weeks before surgery and continue for 3-6 months after surgery. This medication is available over the counter.
      • Heart murmur: For patients with a heart murmur requiring antibiotic prophylaxis, take the prescribed antibiotics 1 hour before surgery (please note that guidelines have changed and most antibiotics are no longer required for many types of heart murmurs- Call us for clarification or review current recommendations in the FAQ section.
      • Learn more about other medical conditions and associated precautions.

    Prescriptions:

    For convenience we will give you necessary pain and antibiotic medications as part of your treatment and save you a trip to the pharmacy. Although for some medications, you will be given prescriptions. It is best to get such prescriptions at your consultation and have them filled prior to surgery. If you have existing pain or infection, you may be recommended to start the antibiotic and pain medications right away.

    Food:

    Prepare some foods beforehand, such as soups, shakes, ice cream, mashed potatoes, eggs, yogurt, and pasta, or rice. Drinks or shakes with high protein, carbohydrates, and vitamins will provide you with the adequate nutrients for a smooth recovery. Have plenty of juice on hand and ginger ale, which can help with nausea.

    See “Nutrition for better healing” for diet recommendations

    Other essentials:

    It’s a good idea to place essential things you might need near your bed so you don’t have to get up frequently following surgery. This is especially important if you live alone. Some items to keep close by include: medications, gauze, tissues, water, drinks, a phone, a good book, your laptop, TV remote control, and DVDs.