Breast Surgery Patient Instructions Pre- and Post- Surgery Preoperative Planning & Instructions Scheduling You will be contacted by a breast team surgical scheduler with the schedule for your surgery and post op visits. If you do not hear from one, please call the Smilow Breast Center at 203-200-2328 for New Haven and Guilford.
Pre-operative planning Each patient having surgery will be given a scheduled date, either on the day of your visit with the surgeon, or by phone from your surgeon’s clinical secretary. For surgery in New Haven/Guilford, you will also receive an automated phone call between 3-5 PM the day before surgery, telling you what time to arrive for surgery. Please call 203-200-2775 if you do not receive a call or you have further questions. Based on your age, current medical problems, and planned surgery, your surgical team will decide what preoperative tests need to be ordered. This may include blood work, EKG and chest x-ray, which can be done here at Smilow or at your physician’s office. A preoperative telemedicine appt. will be scheduled with the anesthesia team only if indicated. If medical clearance is needed, the paperwork should be faxed, along with any lab work, to 203-737-3621. DO NOT use any aspirin or aspirin containing products (check all cold remedies) for 7 days before your surgery. This includes Ibuprofen, Naprosyn, Aleve, Motrin and Advil. If you are on Plavix, Pradaxa or Coumadin (warfarin), or any blood thinning medication, please check with your cardiologist or primary care doctor. These will usually be discontinued 5 days preoperatively. ALSO, hold ALL vitamins and herbal supplements for 7 days before surgery. Do NOT smoke for at least 24 hours prior to your surgery. You will be contacted by a nurse from Pre-Admission Testing (PAT) a few days prior to your surgery with instructions regarding fasting prior to arrival and what medications you may take the morning of your surgery.
General Preoperative Instructions •
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight before surgery (including mints or candy), except clear liquids, which may be allowed up until 2 hours before your arrival time ONLY if permitted by your surgical/ anesthesia team.
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If you are diabetic, follow the recommendations from your doctor or follow the instructions given to you by your preop staff about managing your diabetes. Breast Surgery Pre/Post Op
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