Preparing for your surgery at Penn Medicine University City, Ambulatory Surgical Facility

Stop eating by midnight the day before your surgery. This includes candy, mints, and gum. During this time, you can drink clear liquids. Do not have any red, blue, or purple foods or drinks.

You can have clear liquids up to one hour before your scheduled arrival. For example, if you are told to arrive at 8 a.m., you may drink clear liquids up to 7 a.m.

Note: If you are part of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol, follow your surgeon’s instructions for drinking liquids.

Clear liquids include:

• Water: tap, sparkling, seltzer
• Tea/coffee: do not add milk or cream
• Juice: apple, white grape, white cranberry - No pulp
• Soda: diet/regular, lemon lime, ginger ale
• Sports drinks: Gatorade®, no red, blue, or purple
• Gelatin: Jell-O®, no red, blue, or purple
• Popsicles/water Ice: no red, blue, or purple
• Clear broth/bouillon: any flavor

If you smoke, it is important to not smoke for at least 24 hours the day before your surgery, including tobacco, cigars, cannabis, or vaping products to reduce the risk of complications.

• Take a shower with anti-bacterial soap or any special cleansers as directed by your surgeon.
• Do not wear make-up, cologne, perfume, or lotions on the day of your surgery.
• Remove all jewelry for your safety. Please do not wear any jewelry or body piercings to the ASF.
• Remove dentures, contact lenses, and glasses before going to the operating room.
• You may be asked for a urine sample when you arrive at the pre-op area. If you need to use the restroom while in the waiting room, please let a staff member know.
• If you are diabetic: Ask your doctor what you should do to avoid low or high blood sugars on the day of surgery.

• Before you get to the surgical facility for your procedure, please make sure you have a responsible adult who can take you home afterward. Because of the anesthesia, you won’t be allowed to drive yourself. If you don’t have someone to take you home, your surgery may need to be canceled or rescheduled. Note: The driver of a bus, para-transit vehicle, cab, or ridesharing company (Uber, Lyft, etc.) is not considered a responsible adult.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing.

• Medication list. Do not bring medication bottles.
• Copy of living will or advance directive
• X-rays, MRI or CT films/disk if requested by your surgeon
• Insurance cards
• Picture ID
• Co-pays and deductibles

Note: Call Patient Financial Services about financial matters at 215-662-8970.

Do not bring valuables such as large sums of cash, credit cards, and jewelry to the hospital.

Note: Penn Medicine University City, Ambulatory Surgical Facility is not responsible for the loss or damage to any personal property.