Pre Op Instructions

DR. LEE JACKSON :: PROSTATE CANCER :: LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY :: SURGERY USING ROBOTICS

Michael Albert

Registered Nurse

Patient Resource Center

If you are currently awaiting a robotic prostatectomy, it is essential for your own safety and the success of your surgery that you carefully read and follow these instructions. If you have already had a robotic prostatectomy, click here for post-operative instructions.

Pre-Op Information and Instructions

>> download/print "Pre-Op Instructions"

(an Adobe Acrobat .pdf document)

6-8 Weeks Prior to Surgery

Schedule pre-operative testing. This testing should be completed no later than 2-3 weeks prior to the date of surgery to ensure the results are current. This testing will help to ensure that we have not overlooked any serious medical complications with surgery. Pre-operative testing generally consists of a chest x-ray, routine blood testing, and an ECG (electrocardio gram, an electrical map of your heart).
Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- exercise regularly
- eat nutritious well balanced meals
- drink plenty of water
- rest

2 Weeks Prior to Surgery

STOP taking any aspirin products. They increase your chance of excess bleeding during surgery.
STOP taking any Motrin (ibuprofen) or related non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
STOP taking most herbal supplements.
- STOP taking supplements believed to be detrimental to your pre-surgery health including: St. John's Wort, the now illegal ephedra or Ma Huang, kava kava, licorice, pennyroyal, germander, chaparral, borage, coltsfoot, comfrey, life root, sassafras, aristolofchia fangchi.
- STOP taking supplements that act as blood thinners or increase the chance of excessive bleeding during surgery including: ginko biloba, garlic, gensing, dong quai, willow, red clover.
STOP taking Vitamin E before surgery because it too can increase the risk of bleeding during surgery.

5 Days Prior to Surgery

If you have been prescribed Coumadin or Warfarin, call the doctor who prescribed them. Ask if it is okay to STOP taking them in light of your impending surgery. While it is generally beneficial to stop taking these 4-5 days prior to surgery, in certain cases it is not advisable. If your doctor does NOT allow you to discontinue taking these, contact us at (423) 495-3068.

2 Days Prior to Surgery

Absolutely NO alcohol or alcoholic beverages during the 48 hrs. prior to surgery and for 48 hrs. following surgery. Alcohol can have serious consequences on the surgery as well as the anesthesia.

The Day Before Surgery

Absolutely do not take any of the medications or supplements already stopped (above) including Aspirin or Motrin.
Follow a clear liquid diet with lots of water. NO milk products.
Drink a bottle of Citrate of Magnesia at 9:00 am, and do a Fleet enema at 5:00 pm to help clean yourself out.
After MIDNIGHT before surgery, do not eat or drink anything. This even includes water, chewing gum, life-savers.

The Day of Surgery

You may, and probably should, take any of these if they are currently prescribed to you:
- Heart Medication
- Blood Pressure Medication
- Anti-Seizure Medication
- Insulin (only take HALF of your normal dose)
DO NOT take Water Pills, Diabetic Pills - in addition to anything you have previously stopped taking in preparation for surgery. Remember this includes aspirin, motrin, coumadin, warfarrin.
If you have accidentally taken any medications, supplements, or eaten food that you should not have please contact us immediately. Contact us at (423) 495-3068.
Bring all medications currently prescribed to you in their labeled containers with you to the hospital.
Leave non-essential valuables (such as watches, jewelry, cell phones) at home to reduce the chance of misplacing or losing them in the hospital.
If you wear glasses, contact lenses, false teeth or related personal items, bring a case to store them in during surgery.

You should also proceed to read our post-operative instructions so you will be prepared for what comes next after your surgery.

Questions? If you have any questions about these instructions, including what you should and should not be taking, contact us at (423) 495-3068.

We recommend that you print these instructions and keep them handy for easy reference during the time leading up to your surgery. These instructions are given in your best interest and should be followed as carefully and closely as possible.