What can you not do on day of surgery?

On the day of surgery, you cannot eat, drink (except maybe a tiny sip of water for meds if allowed), chew gum/mints, smoke, wear makeup/nail polish/lotion/deodorant/perfume, wear jewelry/piercings, or bring valuables; these restrictions are crucial for anesthesia safety, preventing infection, and ensuring proper monitoring, but always follow your surgeon's specific instructions.

What can't you do the day before surgery?

DO NOT SMOKE OR DRINK ALCOHOL 24 HOURS PRIOR TO SURGERY. DO NOT DRIVE OR OPERATE HAZARDOUS MACHINERY THE SAME DAY AFTER SURGERY. Arrange transportation with a responsible adult to bring you to and from the office. Someone will need to take care of you for at least 6 hours after leaving the office.

Can you brush your teeth on day of surgery?

Yes, you can usually brush your teeth the morning of surgery, but you must spit everything out and not swallow any water, toothpaste, or mouthwash, as you need an empty stomach for anesthesia. It's crucial to follow your surgeon's specific pre-op instructions, which often emphasize thorough oral hygiene (brushing and antiseptic rinse) to reduce infection risks like postoperative pneumonia, but strictly prohibit eating, drinking (except tiny sips for meds), gum, or swallowing fluids.
 

Why no deodorant before surgery?

You should avoid deodorant before surgery because its ingredients (like metals, fragrances, or aerosols) can interfere with skin prep, block monitoring devices, potentially react with surgical agents, trap bacteria, and create hazards in the sterile environment, all increasing infection risk and procedure complications; doctors prefer a clean, product-free skin surface for optimal antiseptic cleaning and monitoring.
 

Why no lotion on day of surgery?

You should not wear lotion before surgery because it can block antiseptic soaps, interfere with monitoring equipment, potentially irritate skin under anesthesia, and create a barrier for sterile fields, all of which increase infection risk and hinder vital sign monitoring. Lotions, creams, and powders can prevent the skin from being properly disinfected and make it hard for sticky electrodes to adhere to your skin, which is crucial for tracking your heart rate and other vitals. 

5 Things to do the NIGHT before surgery

Do they cover your private parts during surgery?

Yes, your private parts are covered during surgery using sterile surgical drapes, with only the necessary area exposed for the procedure, ensuring both patient dignity and sterility, though you'll change into a gown and may need to remove underwear for some procedures, and some patients use special undergarments for comfort, note Healio and Liv Hospital, say National Institutes of Health (NIH) | (.gov) and WebMD. 

Can I wash my hair the morning of surgery?

Yes, you can and often should wash your hair the morning of surgery, but follow your surgeon's specific instructions, which usually involve using regular shampoo and rinsing well, while avoiding lotions, deodorants, and heavy styling products, and potentially using a special antibacterial soap (like CHG) as directed, especially for head/neck surgeries. The goal is to be clean to prevent infection, so always check your hospital's pre-op guidelines for details on timing and products. 

Do you pee under anesthesia?

Yes, your body can still produce urine under anesthesia, but you generally can't control it and often won't feel the need to go, leading to bladder filling, so urinary catheters are commonly used to drain it during surgery; if not, you'll wake up needing to pee or experience post-op urinary issues like retention. Anesthesia affects bladder muscles and nerves, preventing normal voiding, so a tube (catheter) keeps the bladder empty, or you might have trouble peeing after the anesthesia wears off. 

How should you wear your hair for surgery?

For surgery, wear your hair in a secure, low, or high style like braids, a low bun, or a loose ponytail, keeping it completely covered by a hairnet and scrub cap to prevent contamination. Avoid tight styles or products to prevent headaches and ensure comfort while lying down; braids and low styles are often preferred for comfort and minimal tangles.
 

What do I do if I have no one to pick me up from surgery?

If you have no one to pick you up from surgery, you must arrange professional medical transport or hire a caregiver/nurse to escort you, as hospitals won't release you if sedated; options include specialized medical transport services (like Amera), home care agencies (like Kinkaid Private Care), or asking your clinic for referrals to local services, ensuring they can handle your post-op needs for safe discharge and immediate care at home. 

What is the 2 2 2 rule for teeth?

The 2-2-2 rule for teeth is a simple oral hygiene guideline: brush your teeth twice a day, for two minutes each time, and visit the dentist twice a year for checkups and cleanings. This routine helps prevent cavities, gum disease, and keeps your smile healthy by ensuring thorough plaque removal and professional monitoring.
 

What time should be your last meal before surgery?

For your safety, it is very important to follow instructions about eating or drinking before surgery. Adults and teenagers over the age of 12 may have solid foods and dairy products until 8 hours before their scheduled arrival time at the hospital or surgery center.

Why did the anesthesiologist ask to see my teeth?

Anesthesiologists ask about teeth to prevent damage during intubation (placing a breathing tube), as loose teeth, crowns, bridges, or poor dental health can chip, loosen, or break when the tube is inserted or removed, posing choking hazards and leading to injury, so they assess risk and may take precautions like taping a loose tooth or choosing a different airway technique. They also check for dental issues that could harbor bacteria, increasing infection risk. 

What surgery is hardest on the body?

What is the most complex surgery to recover from? The most complex surgery to recover from can vary depending on the individual. Still, spinal fusion, shoulder replacement, and ACL reconstruction are often considered among the most challenging due to the lengthy recovery time and physical therapy required.

What can mess up anesthesia?

Anesthesia effectiveness and safety are affected by your overall health (heart, lung, kidney issues, diabetes, obesity, sleep apnea), current medications (blood thinners, blood pressure drugs, weight loss meds), lifestyle (smoking, alcohol, marijuana use), allergies, genetics, age, and history of previous reactions, all influencing how your body processes and responds to the drugs. Pre-existing inflammation or infections can also impact local anesthesia, while genetics can alter how quickly you metabolize it. 

What is the 2 4 6 rule for anesthesia?

The 2-4-6 rule for anesthesia is a guideline for preoperative fasting, indicating how long patients should abstain from food and drink before surgery to prevent aspiration (inhaling stomach contents): 2 hours for clear liquids, 4 hours for breast milk, and 6 hours for formula or light meals, with heavier meals requiring longer (often 8+). This evidence-based rule, established by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), replaces older "NPO after midnight" mandates, allowing for shorter, safer fasting times for most healthy patients. 

Do they shave your pubic hair before surgery?

Before a surgical intervention, it is common to remove hair from the area of the body that is going to have surgery. Hair can be removed using different methods, including clippers, a razor, or hair removal cream.

What is the 3 inch hair rule?

The "3-inch hair rule" (or often the 2.25-inch rule) is a popular hairstyling guideline to help you decide if short or long hair suits your face shape by measuring from your earlobe to your chin with a pencil and ruler; if the measurement is less than about 2.25-3 inches, short hair is often recommended, while longer hair suits those with a greater distance, but it's a general guide, not a strict law.
 

Do you wear undergarments during surgery?

No, you typically do not wear underwear during surgery; you change into a hospital gown and remove all undergarments for safety, hygiene (to prevent infection), and to allow access for the surgical team, though some facilities offer medical underwear or allow cotton underwear for non-genital surgeries. Staff remove underwear before you're fully asleep to clean the area and prepare for monitoring and surgery, but blankets and gowns keep you covered for modesty and warmth.
 

Do doctors wear diapers during surgery?

No, surgeons generally do not wear diapers during surgery; it's not standard practice, and they usually manage bathroom needs by limiting fluids, taking planned breaks, or having the team cover for them while they quickly exit, re-scrub, and re-gown, although some surgeons might use a Foley catheter or take extreme measures for incredibly long cases. While the idea appears in fiction, real surgeons manage breaks, often by strategically timing them or having assistants step in, as taking a break is feasible, though a distraction. 

What is the 21 second pee rule?

The "21-second pee rule" stems from a scientific discovery that most mammals, regardless of size, take about 21 seconds to empty their bladder, a phenomenon explained by fluid dynamics and the consistent length-to-width ratio of their urethras, with variations for animals under 3kg; it's a health guideline suggesting normal urination should be around this mark (or 20 seconds) for a healthy, adequately filled bladder, indicating if you're rushing (potentially holding too long) or taking much longer (possible blockage/overactive bladder).
 

How long after anesthesia will I poop?

It typically takes a few days (2-5) to poop after anesthesia as your gut "wakes up," but this varies, with many experiencing no bowel movement for up to 48-72 hours due to anesthesia and pain meds slowing gut movement. Passing gas is a good sign, but if no bowel movement occurs after a few days, especially with opioid use, you may need stool softeners or laxatives for relief, with stimulant laxatives working within hours and stool softeners taking days. 

What should you not do the night before surgery?

The night before surgery, DO NOT eat, drink (even water, gum, or mints) after midnight, drink alcohol, smoke/vape, wear makeup/nail polish/jewelry, or apply lotions; instead, follow your surgeon's specific instructions for medications and skin prep, arrange a ride home, and wear loose clothing. These prohibitions prevent serious complications like aspiration (stomach contents in lungs) during anesthesia and interference with monitoring, ensuring your surgery's safety. 

Will they cancel surgery if I have nail polish on?

Do not wear makeup, lotion, powder, deodorant or nail polish. It is important to remove your nail polish so that the doctors and nurses can see your true color during the surgery and in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit. The color of the skin and nail beds is an important sign of blood circulation.

Why don't they want you to put lotion on before surgery?

You should not wear lotion before surgery because it can block antiseptic soaps, interfere with monitoring equipment, potentially irritate skin under anesthesia, and create a barrier for sterile fields, all of which increase infection risk and hinder vital sign monitoring. Lotions, creams, and powders can prevent the skin from being properly disinfected and make it hard for sticky electrodes to adhere to your skin, which is crucial for tracking your heart rate and other vitals.