Pre-Operative Information

Please follow these basic instructions:

Avoid anticoagulation such as Coumadin (warfarin), Eliquis, Pradaxa, Aspirin and Plavix before and after surgery as instructed by your physicians. Caution, other anticoagulants include many medications that you would not suspect such as motrin, aleve, and other NSAIDS.

• You may take your blood pressure medications the morning of surgery, if you usually take them in the morning, except ACE inhibitors. ACE inhibitors should not be taken the morning of surgery.
• You may take your diabetic medications the night before surgery if you are normally scheduled to do so, but not the morning of surgery.
• Do not eat or drink after midnight the night prior to surgery.
• Arrive at the instructed time at the hospital. This should be at least 2 hours prior to your surgery time to allow time for registration. Be aware that urgent cases can sometimes delay your surgery start time. Your start time can also be earlier in the case of other cancellations on the day of surgery. Bring something to read and also try to arrive early.
• Wear loose and comfortable clothing.
• Leave jewelry and valuables at home. Please remove any body piercings.
• If you wear contact lenses, please bring your glasses with you
• If you receive general anesthesia, you will be taken to the Recovery Room for at least one hour after your procedure.
• If you are going to be discharged from the hospital after surgery, you will be allowed to go home when you are awake and alert.
• Oftentimes patients do not recall speaking to the surgeon due to post-operative anesthesia effect. For this reason, Dr. Byrne will go over surgical findings and post op instructions with your family or friends per your preference. A nurse will also review your post-operative instructions and prepare you for discharge from the facility.
• You will not be allowed to drive yourself home. Please make arrangements for someone to take you home.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I stop eating and drinking prior to the procedure?

Please do not eat or drink after midnight, the night before your procedures. Small sips of water are ok if necessary up to 2 hours prior to your procedure.

Do I take my regular medications?

Take all your regular medications with a sip of water. It is particularly important for medications relating to blood pressure and control of your heart rhythm (beta blockers).

Blood Thinners

There are a large number of blood thinners on the market (aspirin, plavix, xarelto, brillinta, etc.). Each of these works in different ways and we will give you instructions on when to cease them. Please ensure you let us know that you are taking one of these drugs, especially if you are having a procedure.

Warfarin

Warfarin needs to be stopped at least 5 days before surgery. We generally arrange holding of this medication with the assistance of the prescriber (often a cardiologist). Please discuss this with Dr. Byrne if you have questions as the regime is tailored for each patient, depending on their medical problems.

Vitamins, Supplements, Fish Oil, Krill Oil.

Cease all non prescription medications for two weeks prior to surgery. It is difficult to know what these supplements really contain and what they may do to increase bleeding risk.

Diabetics

Notify my staff as well as the hospital that you are diabetic. We will try to put diabetic patients first on the operating list.

Inform staff at the hospital when you are admitted to ensure that your blood sugar is monitored.

Do I need tests prior to my surgery?

For most urological procedures, Dr. Byrne obtains a urine test to ensure that there is no infection prior to surgery. Performing elective urological surgery on patients with infected urine is dangerous. We can perform a quick urine test in the office or surgery may be postponed if necessary. If you have not been contacted to leave a specimen about a week prior to surgery, please contact the office during business hours.