Time of Surgery

Your arrival time for surgery will be confirmed within 24 hours of your surgery. Please be prepared for the possibility of changes on the day of surgery. If contacted, please arrive earlier than previously scheduled. Ensure that you have your mobile phone with you at all times on the day of surgery.

Work/School/Sport Considerations

The average work/school excuse is for 4 days. Please present and discuss these restrictions at least a week before surgery with any parties this will impact (i.e., your employer, supervisor, or coach). (Days off may change for general or more complex surgeries.)


Guide to Perioperative Care

Eating and Drinking Before Surgery

· Do not eat or drink after midnight before surgery. This includes both solid foods and liquids.
· Some patients vomit while under anesthesia. If you eat or drink and vomit, the contents of your stomach can enter your lungs and cause a life-threatening infection.
​· You may brush your teeth and rinse your mouth in the morning, but please spit out the toothpaste and rinse.

Washing Your Skin

· Please take a shower or bath the night before or the morning of surgery.
· Ensure that you wash your hair prior to surgery.
· Remove all makeup, nail polish, piercings/jewelry, etc. from your body.


Pre-Surgery Precautions: What to Avoid

Aspirin and Blood Thinners

Please stop taking blood thinners. These are medications that make it harder for your blood to clot and could prolong bleeding during your surgery. Examples of these drugs include:

· Aspirin
· Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
· Naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve)
· Clopidogrel (Plavix), warfarin (Coumadin), dabigatran (Pradaxa), rivaroxaban (Xarelto), apixaban (Eliquis)

A full medication list was provided in original source — retain it in appendix if needed.

Feeling Prepared

​· Arrange for a responsible adult (at least 18 years of age) to drive you home or accompany you. A person should stay with you for 24 to 48 hours after the surgery.
· If you are unaccompanied on the day of surgery, your surgery will be rescheduled.
· Plan to bring your government-issued photo ID, insurance info, prescription info, and co-payment if needed.
· Leave valuables, large amounts of cash, credit cards, and jewelry at home or with a friend for safekeeping.
· Have storage cases available for contacts, glasses, dentures, etc., during surgery.
· Do not smoke, eat, or drink anything, including water, candy, gum, mints, and lozenges, after midnight on the night before surgery.
· Do not bring any dependents with you.
· Wear or bring loose-fitting clothing.
· For students: notify teachers in advance; request homework early if needed.

Post-operative Restrictions

· No lifting more than 20 lbs for 3 weeks.
· You may resume light aerobic exercise one week after surgery. No weightlifting or straining for at least 3 weeks.
· No Gym/Physical Education for 3 weeks.
· No water in the ear until cleared by the medical team (usually 6 weeks).
· No work or school for up to 4 calendar days after surgery. A note will be available in your portal if requested before surgery.
​· Time off must be documented in the medical record.