These are general instructions for your surgery. A nurse at the General Surgery Clinic will go over specific instructions with you for your surgery.
If you have any questions regarding your surgery, please call us at (319) 398-6747.
Parking for Surgery at Mercy Medical Center
Please use the 8th street parking ramp. Park on the 2nd level, South entrance. Report to Mercy’s Surgery Center Waiting Area.
You may have nothing to eat or drink after midnight on the day of your surgery. This is to prevent problems with the anesthesia medicines.
Take only the medicines you are told to take the day of surgery. You will be told in your pre-anesthesia visit what medicine to take or not take.
The Day of Surgery
Wear comfortable clothes that are easy to get on and off. Leave all jewelry and valuables at home. We don't want them to get lost or misplaced and it can be dangerous to wear jewelry during surgery. This includes wedding rings, earrings, or other piercings.
If your surgery is under anesthesia, you cannot drive for at least 24 hours and someone needs to stay with you for 24 hours after your procedure. This is in case there would be any problems or you would need help.
After most procedures, you will receive a prescription for pain medicine. You should take this regularly the first few days after surgery to stay ahead of the pain. You will be given instructions on how often to take this medicine. You cannot drive or operate heavy machinery while taking pain medication as it can make you sleepy or confused. It is common for these medicines to cause upset stomach and constipation. Taking the medicine with food and taking a stool softener while on the medication will help with this. We recommend buying a bottle of Colace (docusate) at the drugstore to have available to take while on the pain medication.
Infection Prevention
We will give you antibiotics at the time of surgery to help prevent infection.
In order to get ready for surgery, there are things that you can do to help decrease the chance you will get an infection. To make this process easier, the Mercy General Surgery Clinic has given you Chlorohexidine Gluconate 4% solution (CHG) soap to use the night before surgery. Please review the information and follow the directions below.
Do not shave or clip the area where your surgery incisions will be. This can cause damage to the skin and infection and could result in your surgery being cancelled or postponed.
Directions for Showering
Please take a shower the night before surgery or the morning of surgery.
Wash as you would normally with shampoo and soap.
The nurse from the General Surgery Clinic will go provide you with specific instructions where to use the special soap (Chlorohexidine Gluconate 4% solution). If you have any questions, please call (319) 398-6747.
- Make sure all soap and shampoo is rinsed off before washing with this special soap.
- Be very careful to keep out of eyes and ears.
- You can wash the groin area skin, but not the internal tissues.
- Do not to use a body lotions or oils after bathing or showering with this soap.
Warning: For external use only. Stop use and ask a doctor if irritation or any rash occurs. Do not use if:
- you are allergic to chlorhexidine gluconate or any other ingredients
- inside the genital area (ok to clean the outside skin)
- as a preoperative skin prep of the head or face
