Pre-Surgery Guidelines

At Memorial Hermann | Rockets Orthopedic Hospital the affiliated surgeons, therapists, specialized nurses, discharge planners and other caregivers work as a team to promote patient and family satisfaction. Both verbal and printed instructions will be given to you before your procedure.

• Do not eat or drink anything (this includes gum, candy and smoking) after midnight the evening before your procedure unless you are specifically advised differently. Your procedure could be postponed if you do not follow this guideline. Your surgeon will inform you of the best time of arrival, which is at least two hours prior to the scheduled time of procedure. Do not drink alcohol 24 hours prior to surgery.
• Come bathed or showered.
• If you feel ill or have a fever, call your physician so he or she can evaluate whether to postpone your procedure.
• Please leave all valuables at home (watch, jewelry, electronics etc.)
• You may wear your glasses and hearing aids.
• Wear large comfortable clothing. Wear large and loose button down shirts if you are having shoulder surgery and short or loose pants if you are having knee surgery.
• We ask that you leave the walker in the car until you get to your room.

Medication Instructions

• Take only the medication your physician or nurse tells you to take the morning of surgery with a small sip of water.
• You may take your blood pressure, heart or seizure medications with a sip of water upon awakening.
• If you are diabetic, do not take your diabetes medication or insulin the morning of your surgery.
• Do not bring your medications with you unless instructed to do so by the pharmacist. If you are asked to bring your medication, please bring it in the original container.
• Do bring your inhalers, eye drops, birth control pills or prescription ointments. 

Outpatient Only

• You will need a responsible adult to drive you home and be with your for 24 hours after your surgery. YOU WILL NOT be allowed to go home in a Taxi Cab, Uber/Lyft, or by public bus.
• Please arrive at the hospital no earlier than 5:00 a.m.
• If you do not know what your arrival time is for your surgery, please call your doctor’s office. 

Safety Guidelines

We may ask you the same questions more than once about allergies to medications, adverse reactions you may have had in the past and “what part of your body is your doctor going to operate on today?” We will also check your armband before giving you medications or other treatments.

These checks are designed to make sure you are protected from medical error. Please accept these routines and cooperate with us to make your stay safe and comfortable.