Preparing for Surgery at Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System
Step 1: One to two weeks prior to Surgery
- Stop all aspirin, ibuprofen and arthritis pain medications 1-2 weeks prior to surgery. (Please check with physician regarding all medications)
- Stop smoking is recommended
- Notify your doctor of any skin lesions near your surgical site.
Step 2: Five days prior to Surgery
- Come to the admissions department to register and have any blood work/ labs and X-Rays needed before the procedure.
- Bring a photo identification and your health insurance information.
- Bring any orders or labs the office may have given you.
- If you routinely take a night dose of insulin, please contact your primary care physician for direction.
- Please notify your surgeon of any skin lesions or infections.
Step 3: Day Before
- If you are taking Metformin (a diabetic drug), do not take the day before surgery.
- You will be contacted by a pre-op nurse. If you have not spoken with them by the day prior to your surgery, please contact them at (423) 492-5534.
- Nothing by mouth after midnight. This includes food, drink and all tobacco products (including cigarettes and gum).
Step 4: Day Surgery
- Take any blood pressure, heart or seizure medications with a small sip of water first thing in the morning.
- What to bring: good walking shoes, sweatpants, button up shirt.
- Arrive at the hospital at the time given by your physician’s office. If you have pre-registered, you can go directly to the surgical area. Proceed to elevators located near the cafeteria. Take the second floor to Surgery.
- The waiting area is directly across from the elevators as you get off on the second floor.
- Check in with the volunteer in the waiting area in the surgery department (Elevator B to 2nd floor.)
- If you have not pre-registered prior to surgery, your surgery may be delayed (You will need to arrive an additional hour early and follow Step 2).
