6 HOURS BEFORE THE OPERATION

• Do not eat
• No chewing gum.
• No smoking.

UNTIL 2 HOURS BEFORE THE OPERATION, CLEAR LIQUIDS ARE PERMITTED

• Water.
• Fruit juice without pulp.
• Tea or coffee with or without sugar.
• Non-carbonated sweetened drinks.
• Dairy products are not permitted.

DEPILATION THE NIGHT BEFORE

For some operations, your practitioner will ask you to remove hair from the area to be operated on. This can be done in one of two ways, using either clippers or a depilatory cream. Do not use a razor

• If you use clippers, trim the area to be treated.
• If you use a depilatory cream, 3 days before the operation, carry out an allergy test to the depilatory product on a different area to the one to be operated on. If you have a reaction to the product, use clippers.

This test is carried out a few days before the operation by placing a dab of the product on an area other than the one to be operated on (e.g. left arm if you are to have an operation on the right wrist). If there is no allergic reaction, you can depilate the area to be operated on the day before the operation.

If there is any redness, pimples, itching or new or known intolerance to these products, do not use a depilatory product but proceed with clippers.

PRE-OPERATIVE SHOWER

• You must take a shower on the day of the operation using a single-dose foaming soap or an unopened bottle, as instructed by your surgeon.
• For all head and neck surgery, shampoo the night before with your usual product.

BEFORE SHOWERING

• Remove jewellery, wedding rings, piercings, nail varnish, false nails and any other body accessories.

DURING THE SHOWER

• Wash yourself from head to toe.
• Soap vigorously by hand or with a clean washcloth.
• Pay particular attention to high-risk areas of the body: navel, folds of the genito-anal area, armpits, fingernails, etc.
• Dry yourself with a clean towel.

AFTER A SHOWER

• Brush your teeth thoroughly.
• Do not wear make-up, lipstick or nail varnish.
• Put on clean underwear and clothes.
• Do not wear jewellery, wedding rings, piercings, nail varnish, false nails or any other body accessories.

• Make sure you remove any dentures, hearing aids or contact lenses. These accessories are not permitted in the operating theatre. If you wear them, please inform the nursing staff on your arrival and arrange for them to be put away as usual.
• Bring glasses if applicable.