Preparing for your surgery at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center 

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 hospital.
• 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 hospital 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
• Your CPAP machine (if staying overnight at the hospital)
• 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.
• Please leave overnight bags in your car. Your family can bring it to your room after your procedure.

Note: Penn Presbyterian Medical Center is not responsible for the loss or damage to any personal property.

After your procedure, you will be taken to the recovery room. Your support person will be asked to join you in the recovery area.

Patients respond differently to surgery, so the time you spend in this area will vary depending upon your procedure and the type of anesthesia you have received.

Discomfort and nausea can occur after surgery. You will be asked frequently about your pain level, and the nursing staff will provide you with comfort measures as needed.

If you are having an outpatient procedure, a nurse will review your surgeon’s instructions on how to care for yourself once you go home. It is recommended that you have a support person with you to listen to these instructions.

You will be given printed discharge instructions to take home. Please keep and review these instructions the morning after your surgery. This gives you time to recover from the effects of anesthesia, which can temporarily affect your attention span and memory.

You will get an automated message via text message or email the day after your procedure. The message will ask you to share about your experience at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.