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Before your surgery

The Bedford Ambulatory Surgical Center wants to make your experience as pleasant as possible.  This information will answer many of the questions you may have about your surgery.  Please review this information carefully.

Prior to the day of Surgery:

The following instructions are very important and MUST be followed, otherwise it may be necessary to cancel your surgery.

  • Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery, including water, juice, coffee, chewing gum or mints, unless instructed otherwise by the surgical center pre-operative nurse. 
  • Do not drink alcoholic beverages or take recreational drugs 48 hours prior to surgery.
  • Smoking may cause problems with anesthesia.  It is highly recommended you do not smoke the evening prior to surgery.
  • Do not take aspirin, aspirin products, Vitamin E, Motrin, Ibuprofen, Aleve, Advil or any herb or garlic supplement for one week prior to your surgery, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor.
  • Tell your doctor if you take Coumadin, Plavix or other blood thinners.
  • Notify your doctor and the surgical center staff if you have an insulin pump,  internal or external device such as a pacemaker or defibrillator.
  • Notify your doctor and the surgical center staff IMMEDIATELY if you suspect you are pregnant.
  • Arrange for an adult to drive you to and from the Surgical Center if you are undergoing anesthesia.
  • Remove all nail polish and body piercings.  If having hand, arm, leg or foot surgery, all jewelry must be removed.  If unable to remove jewelry, please consider visiting a jeweler for removal.  Otherwise, jewelry may need to be cut off on the day of surgery, which may result in damage to your jewelry.
  • Gather required information needed for the day of surgery, including insurance cards, legal documents (such as Power of Attorney or Guardianship documents), completed registration forms and any other information your doctor has asked you to bring to the surgical center. 
  • Make a list of all of the medications you take, including dosages and frequency.  You must bring this list with you.