Night Before

Prepare. Rest. Trust the process.

1 Day Until Surgery

🎯 Today’s Focus

What you do tonight allows tomorrow to go smoothly. Fasting ensures your stomach is empty for anesthesia. Confirm your plans for tomorrow.

Deep Dive

Fasting Instructions

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight. This includes water.

In the morning, you may take regular prescription medications with a small sip of water.

CHG Soap

CHG Soap is an antibacterial wash. Using it on your skin tonight reduces bacteria present near incision sites, lowering infection risk.

Your actions tonight

during the day

Nothing to eat or drink after midnight, including water, gum, and mints
Shower tonight with the CHG antibacterial soap from your prep kit; do not shave the surgical area
Set out loose-fitting clothes for tomorrow, anything that fits over a bandaged knee
Confirm your ride; you cannot drive yourself home or take a rideshare alone
Complete any bowel prep if prescribed by your surgeon

Quick Reference

⏰ When Can I…

Eat or drink

Not after midnight tonight

Take morning meds

Only surgeon approved

Shower

Day 3 – 4

🔍 What to Expect

You’ll check in 1–2 hours before your scheduled surgery time. After pre-op prep (IV, anesthesia consult), you’ll be taken to the OR. The procedure commonly takes 1–2 hours, followed by 1–2 hours in recovery. Most patients go home the same day or the following morning.

📚 Why This Matters

Fasting is required for anesthesia — food in your stomach during sedation creates a serious aspiration risk. The CHG shower reduces bacteria near the incision site, lowering infection risk. These are the two prep steps with the greatest impact on surgical safety.

5 Days Before

Day 1