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Pre-Operative Instructions:
Before Anesthesia

If you have been scheduled to have IV anesthesia, it will be imperative that you follow these instructions. Failure to do so could be life-threatening, and your appointment will be rescheduled if these instructions are not followed. If you have questions about these instructions, please call our office.


  • You may not have anything to eat or drink for 8 hours prior to surgery. Surgery appointments will be rescheduled if these instructions are not implicitly followed. If you have questions about this, please call the office prior to your scheduled appointment.
  • We will attempt to schedule anesthesia for children in the early morning so that enforcement of the fasting requirement is not burdensome for parents.
  • If you are taking prescription medications for other medical reasons, these may be taken at their normal times with small sips of water.
  • If antibiotics have been prescribed, please take your antibiotics with a sip of water.
  • When you have general anesthesia, a responsible adult who is over the age of 18 must accompany you to the office, remain in the office during the procedure, and drive you home. This person should also be able to stay with you for several hours once you get home and situated after surgery. We also require a driver to bring you to your surgery appointment if you have been given pre-operative medications to take at home.
  • Please do not wear contact lenses, lipstick, dark fingernail polish, loop or dangling earrings, pantyhose, or high-heeled shoes to your appointment. You should wear a short-sleeved shirt.
  • If you develop lung or nasal congestion, the flu, a cold, or a fever, please advise us a few days before your surgery.
  • The use of alcohol or recreational drugs can have an adverse effect on the anesthesia medications that we use. Please discontinue the use of such for at least 72 hours prior to your procedure.
  • Ideally, stop smoking 24 hours prior to surgery.
  • Women, please note: Some antibiotics may interfere with the effectiveness of your birth control pills. Please check with your pharmacist.