Our Care Sites
Trinity Health IHA Medical Group
Serving Southeast Michigan
Trinity Health Medical Group
Serving West Michigan
Probility Physical Therapy
Physical therapy services
Trinity Elite Sports Performance
Athletic development services
Back to homepage
MyChart

Before Surgery

A surgery attendant prepares for a procedure

Appointments

Pre-Operative Physical Appointment

Your surgeon may ask you to see your primary care physician for a pre-operative physical within 30 days of your scheduled procedure. If you see a heart doctor, an appointment with that physician may be required. If lab work is ordered, it will also need to be completed prior to surgery.

Phone Calls

Pre-Admission Phone Call

A registered nurse in pre-admission services will call you to review your health history, current medications, and to answer any questions you may have about your procedure.

Pre-Registration Call and Arrival Time Call

Our registration team will call to verify your insurance. You will also receive a call to verify your surgery and arrival times.

General Hygiene and Infection Prevention

If you’ve been given specific instructions related to bathing, please follow your surgeon's guidelines.

  • Before surgery, all bed linens, towels, and clothing should be washed and dried at the warmest temperature the fabric will tolerate.
  • Clean your home before surgery. Pay close attention to frequently touched areas, such as door knobs, counters and toilet seats. Use your regular household cleaner.
  • Bathe at least once within 12-hours prior to your surgery using a new bar of soap. Wash your hair with your regular shampoo. Please be sure to rinse soap and shampoo residue from your skin.
  • DO NOT apply lotions, powders, hair spray or makeup on the day of your surgery. Put on clean clothes after showering.
  • Your partner (or anyone with whom you share a bed, NOT including pets) will also need to shower and change into clean clothes.
  • DO NOTE shave the area where you will have surgery. Shaving with a razor can irritate your skin and make it easier to develop an infection.

Optimizing Your Health Prior to Surgery

Stop Smoking

The link between smoking and post-operative complications is well documented. Smoking decreases your body's ability to heal after surgery. For your overall health and success of your surgery, it is highly recommended to stop or decrease smoking prior to and after surgery. You may discuss possible smoking cessation options with your health care provider.

Exercise

Research shows increasing physical activity before surgery can lower the risk of problems after surgery. Daily walking, biking or swimming is recommended.

Diabetes Care

Uncontrolled diabetes is shown to be a contributing factor to post-operative infection. Monitor and make every effort to control your blood sugar. If you take insulin, please contact the health care provider who manages your diabetes for instruction. Generally, stop taking Glucophage (metformin) 24-hours before surgery

Medications

Your surgeon and primary care provider will advise you on which medications should be stopped prior to surgery and when to stop them. A pre-admission nurse will also call to review your health history and tell you which medications to take day of surgery.


Medications commonly stopped include but are not limited to:

  • Anti-inflammatory medications (Motrin, Aleve, ibuprofen)
  • Blood-thinning medications (Plavix, Warfarin or Coumadin, Pradaxa, Xarelto and Eliquis)
  • Some vitamins and herbal supplements (fish oil, ginseng, St. John's Wort)
  • DO NOT take diuretics (water pills) or antacids (Maalox, Tums)
  • Stop weight loss products two weeks before surgery
  • No medical marijuana or other recreational drugs 24 hours prior to surgery

Heart and blood pressure medications:

There are different categories for these medications. Some should be taken the day of surgery and some must be stopped or surgery will be canceled. Generally, if the generic name of your heart/blood pressure medication ends with a "pril" or "tan" these should not be taken on day of surgery.

What to Bring

  • Advance Directive/Durable Power of Attorney papers (if you have them)
  • CPAP/BiPAP machine (if used)
  • Dentures
  • Glasses
  • Hearing aids and batteries
  • Insurance card and picture identification
  • Lab form with blood band if you have one
  • Loose-fitting clothing
  • Remove all body piercings
  • Toiletries for overnight stays
  • NO VALUABLES

Trinity Health is not responsible for any lost or stolen items. To ensure the safety of your valuable belongings, please do not bring cash, credit cards, jewelry, or purses/wallets.