Days before surgery

Follow these Enhanced Recovery steps and any other instructions from your surgeon:

• Don’t shave or wax the area of the body where we’ll operate one week before surgery. This helps prevent infection.
• Walk or stay active. Moving helps prepare your body for surgery and recovery.
• Don’t smoke, chew tobacco, or vape.
• Take any pain and other medications approved by your doctor or surgeon.
• Exercise your lungs with an incentive spirometer if you were given one. For some surgeries, an incentive spirometer is used to help prevent pneumonia.

Night before surgery

• Eat up to 8 hours before your scheduled arrival time for surgery.
• Shower or bathe and wash your hair.
• Don’t shave or wax the area of the body where we’ll operate.
• Use the antiseptic soap recommended by your doctor.
• Brush and floss your teeth.