Your Pre-Op Appointment
Your pre-op appointment is scheduled approximately 15–30 days prior to your surgery date.
Please plan for this visit to be anywhere from 45 minutes to 1 hour. During this appointment, we will review your medical clearance, informed consents, and pre/post-operative instructions, possibly take photos, and answer any questions you may have. Please make sure to bring a list of any questions and take notes to ensure you are well prepared for your upcoming procedure.
At this time, your total surgery balance is due. Cash, cashier’s checks, and debit cards are preferred, but we accept all major credit cards, CareCredit, and Cherry financing. No personal checks, please.
Pre-Operative Testing
Your surgeon may require blood work or additional diagnostic testing for your procedure. All required lab work and test results are due 15 days prior to your procedure, so please schedule ample time to get them ordered and the results in for evaluation and clearance.
Two Weeks Prior to Surgery
- No aspirin or other medications containing aspirin for 2 weeks prior to surgery and 2 weeks after surgery.
- No ibuprofen/NSAIDs or other medications that contain ibuprofen or naproxen (such as Advil, Motrin, and Aleve) for at least 2 weeks prior to surgery and 2 weeks after surgery.
- You may take Tylenol (acetaminophen) for pain relief.
- Avoid taking vitamins (including vitamin E and Omega-3s), supplements, and herbs.
- Discontinue all diet medications and herbal medications, including herbal teas.
- You MUST discontinue smoking and ALL nicotine usage at least 1 MONTH prior to surgery. This includes vaping and gum containing nicotine. Do not resume smoking or be around secondhand smoke — smoking will compromise your wound healing, safety, and results.
- Start on a high-protein diet: lean beef, chicken, fish, and protein shakes are all appropriate options to incorporate into your diet in preparation for your surgery. Reduce sodium intake to help with swelling.
One Week Prior to Surgery
- Do NOT consume alcohol or use drugs.
- Do NOT take any cough or cold medications without clearing it through our office. Report any signs of a cold, cough, infection, or boils prior to surgery immediately.
- Fill the prescriptions given to you at your pre-operative appointment. Please pick these up at least 3 days prior to your surgery date. If you have any problems filling your prescriptions at the pharmacy, contact our office at least 2 business days before your surgery with your pharmacy information.
- Arrange for a responsible adult to drive you to and from surgery (you will not be allowed to take any form of public transportation), AND plan for a responsible individual, such as a friend, relative, or dedicated caretaker, to stay with you for the first 24–48 hours after surgery.
- Remove any dark-colored fingernail polish.
- If you are having abdominal surgery or liposuction, please start cleaning the inside of your belly button with a Q-tip during each shower.
Days Prior to Surgery
- Call Bel-Red Surgery Center for pre-op instructions and time of arrival 1–2 days before surgery (or if your surgery is on Monday, the prior Thursday) at (425) 577-6688.
- Pack your surgery bag — it only needs to contain a hair tie, all your prescription meds, Tylenol, and a glasses/contact case if needed.
- Plan on wearing loose-fitting clothing and easy slip-on shoes on the day of surgery. Please leave jewelry at home!
- Have old towels/bed liners ready for furniture, bed, and car.
- Being nervous is normal, but don’t be too nervous! We got you!
The Night Before & Morning of Surgery
Please read and follow ALL instructions.
- DO NOT eat or drink anything (not even water) after midnight (12:00 AM) the night before your surgery, besides a small sip of water to take your necessary medications. This includes NO gum, candy, mints, coffee, etc. If you eat or drink anything, your surgery may be cancelled. UNLESS your surgery is under oral sedation — in that case, please DO eat and drink so you don’t get nauseous from the meds. The morning of surgery, follow your prescribed medication regimen as instructed by your surgeon with ONLY a small sip of water.
- Take a shower and wash your hair the night before or the morning of your surgery. Please use antibacterial soap to wash your body the morning of surgery. If you are having any abdominal procedures, please thoroughly clean the inside of your belly button using a Q-tip.
- You may brush your teeth the morning of surgery, but do not swallow any water.
- Do not apply any of the following to your skin, hair, or face the morning of surgery: makeup, creams, lotions, hair products, sprays, perfumes, powder, or deodorant.
- Do not wear contacts to the surgery center. You may bring your glasses if you have difficulty seeing without them, but remember to bring your eyeglass case.
- Do not bring any valuables or wear any jewelry (rings, earrings, chains, body piercings, or a watch).
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes that button or zip in the front and do not have to be put on over your head. Please do not wear jeans. A jogging suit, loose button-up shirt, and slip-on shoes are most ideal. You may wear underwear and socks, but they must be cotton only.
- Put a pillow and a blanket in your car for the ride home after your surgery. This will help you feel comfortable on the ride. Also have old towels for the car if you expect to have drainage.
- Bring all your prescription medications to your surgery, including home meds, and bring Tylenol.
- Have your right index fingernail free of any products — no polish, gel, or acrylic.
- Have a responsible adult accompany you to your surgery, drive you home, and stay with you for at least 24–48 hours. You may NOT take a taxi or Uber home. Upon arrival at the surgery center, be sure the surgery center has this person’s name and phone number so we are able to contact them.
