Before Surgery

• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight before surgery including mints or candy, except clear liquids, which are permitted up until 2 hours prior to the scheduled arrival time, unless otherwise instructed by your physician.
• No liquids should be consumed after midnight if there is a history or symptoms of gastric reflux (GERD), nausea, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, abdominal pain, or cancer of the stomach or esophagus.
• Liquids to avoid include: milk, cream, high caffeine beverages and energy drinks, orange or pineapple juice, smoothies and milk shakes, and alcoholic drinks.
• Allowable clear liquids include the following: water, sports drinks (i.e. Gatorade, Powerade), apple or cranberry juice, black coffee or tea without cream/milk, carbonated beverages and sodas. Note: Limit caffeinated beverages to less than 16 ounces.
• If you have been instructed to take medications, take with a sip of water.

If you are a smoker, it is strongly recommended that you quit smoking as early as possible before surgery. Greenwich Hospital is a smoke-free hospital. Smoking or other tobacco use is not allowed in hospital buildings, property, sidewalks or garages. If you are interested in learning how to quit or cut back on smoking, see our classes in our Calendar.

• Prior to surgery, the following items will need to be removed. Contacts, body/facial piercings, jewelry including earrings, hearing aids and dentures.
• Please create a plan for safekeeping. Storage cases will be provided if needed and kept with your clothing bad in a secured location until you arrive to your surgical floor.
• It is recommended that a responsible adult assist you after your surgery.
• Encourage patients to arrange for a responsible person to remain with them at home and reinforce to the patient, not to drive through the evening and night following their procedure.
• Please remove and leave contact lenses at home if possible. If this is not an option, please bring solution and a storage case.
• You may NOT drive yourself home after anesthesia. A responsible adult must accompany you in taking a car, cab, bus, train or van.
• If you use a CPAP machine for sleep apnea, please bring it with you on the day of your procedure.
• Bring your insurance card and ID with you to the hospital.
• Follow any special diet instructions given by your surgeon.

Learn more about what to bring and what not to bring

• You may brush your teeth, but do not swallow.
• Remove nail polish and/or artificial nails on the operative side if having surgery on your hands, feet or legs.
• Bring a case for eyeglasses.
• Wear loose fitting clothes. If you are having surgery above the waist, a button-down shirt will be easier to put on after surgery.
• Take a shower with soap and water and pay attention to cleaning the surgical area. Do not shave the surgical area with a razor. Dry yourself with a clean towel and put on clean clothes.
• Call your surgeon before surgery if you do not feel well or develop any signs of illness, cold, fever, sore throat, chest pain or difficulty breathing.

Before you are admitted, you may be asked to stop taking aspirin or medications with aspirin in them. Many patients should discontinue aspirin two weeks prior to surgery. Anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as Coumadin, also may have to be discontinued. Consult your physician about these and other medications before and after surgery. If you are staying overnight, you may bring your medications or a list of them. If you list them, include their name, dose and how often you take them. Consult with your physician to make sure there will be no drug interactions.

Your physician will arrange a date and time for your surgery or procedure. At the appointed time, you may go directly to the registration desk designated for your particular procedure. Our goal is to make all our services easy for you to access.

Learn more about drop off and registration

Hospitalization and surgery can be a new and difficult experience for both parents and children. Our Pediatric team provides ongoing guidance and preparation to make the experience as comfortable and positive as possible.

Learn more about preparing your child for surgery