Showering will help prevent surgical site infections. You may shower the night before and the morning of your surgery, but avoid aggressively scrubbing the area of the surgical site. Wash your hair with shampoo first. Using a clean washcloth for both showers, wash your body with a liquid antibacterial soap.
Hair: Many hair products and hair pieces contain highly flammable products. Your safety is our first priority. That's why we require that you wash your hair the night before or the morning of surgery using only shampoo and conditioner. DO NOT use any other hair products after washing.
This is because all humans have germs on their skin that may cause an infection after surgery. Taking two showers (one at night and one in the morning) with CHG soap removes germs and reduces the risk of infection. Your doctor's office will give you the CHG soap and showering instructions.
Do not smoke or use chewing tobacco after midnight the night before your surgery. Do not take aspirin, coumadin, or any anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, naproxyn, or celebrex. Also, do not take Vitamin E.
Can I wear deodorant before surgery? Refrain from using deodorants, powder, perfumes, lotions and moisturisers, as the products can leave residue on your skin.
Oral hygiene must be excellent prior to surgery. Therefore, way in advance of the surgery, the patient should brush, floss, and care for their teeth and gums twice a day. On the morning of surgery, brush and rinse with mouthwash or water.
Bathing, creams, lotions, deodorants.
Please shower or bathe the night before your surgery. Your surgeon may request bathing with a special soap; please follow their instructions. Creams and lotions should not be worn on the day of surgery. A light application of deodorant is permissible.
Don't: Eat anything for eight hours before surgery. It takes the stomach eight hours to empty. The combination of food in your stomach and going to sleep under anesthesia could cause you to aspirate.
Before your surgery, your skin needs to be as clean as possible. You can decrease the germs on your skin and reduce your risk of infection by following the shower instructions we have provided. You are required to shower both the night before and the morning of your surgery.
It's usually better to have a shower after an operation because you can control the flow of water and avoid getting the wound wet if you have been told to keep it dry. You may be told not to have a bath after some operations. This is because your wound should not be soaked in water until it's healed.
We want you to shower with CHG 2 times:
The first time on the night before your surgery. 2. The second time on the morning before you come to the hospital for your surgery.
The night before a procedure or surgery you should shower or take a bath using your normal soap. If your doctor told you to use disposable wipes or a special soap, follow the instructions for Getting Your Skin Ready For Procedure/Surgery found in your Surgery Folder.
Do not wear makeup, lotion, powder, deodorant or nail polish. It is important to remove your nail polish so that the doctors and nurses can see your true color during the surgery and in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit.
Have clean freshly laundered bed sheets, towels and pajamas ready for use the evening prior to surgery. Do not shave your pubic hair the day before or the day of surgery. If you would like to warm wipes prior to use, please place closed packet in a bowl of warm water at bathwater temperature. Do not microwave.
Routine shaving should be stopped at least two days before your surgery on all areas of your body, including the legs and underarms. This is to prevent any skin irritation which could lead to an infection.
Do NOT Shave over the surgical site. Using a razor over the surgical site produces microscopic cuts and scrapes which fill immediately with millions and billions of bacteria. One of the worst actions you can do prior to a surgery is to shave your legs or arms. The surgical team loves to see hairy legs and armpits.
Clothing/Hygiene: We suggest loose fitting, comfortable clothing and shoes be worn the day of your surgery. You may bring socks to wear. Do not wear contact lenses, make-up, nail polish, hairpins, or jewelry, including body piercings.
If you're having general anesthesia, an anesthesiologist will give you medications that make you lose consciousness. After the surgery is complete, he or she will reverse the medication so that you regain consciousness — but you won't be wide awake right away.
You are encouraged to drink clear liquids before surgery or anesthesia — NOT milk or dairy products — until 2 hours before the time you are scheduled to arrive at the hospital or surgery center. Staying hydrated is good for you, and it's especially important in hot weather!
Your stomach should be empty during surgery.
An aspiration can cause significant damage. If you have ever laughed or talked while eating or drinking and inadvertently gagged, you have experienced aspiration. The good news is you can protect yourself from an aspiration by strictly following the no food/no drink rule.
If you have problems removing rings, contact a jeweler. All valuables, such as jewelry and credit cards should be left at home. Only light make-up should be worn, with no make-up around the eyes. All nail polish should be removed prior to surgery, including polish on toenails.
The Night Before:
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight – not even water if you can help it. If abstaining from eating and drinking is something that may cause you problems, talk to your surgeon and follow their advice. Avoid drinking alcohol for at least 12 hours before your surgery.