Laparoscopy

Tell your doctor if you:

• Have allergies to any medicines, including anesthesia.
• Have any bleeding problems or are taking any blood-thinning medicines, such as aspirin or warfarin (Coumadin).
• Are or might be pregnant.

Before laparoscopy:

• Follow the instructions exactly about when to stop eating and drinking, or your surgery may be canceled. If your doctor has instructed you to take your medicines on the day of surgery, please do so using only a sip of water.
• Leave your jewelry at home. Any jewelry you wear will need to be taken off before the laparoscopy.
• Remove your glasses, contacts, and dentures or a removable bridge before the laparoscopy. These will be given back to you as soon as you wake up after the surgery.
• Arrange for someone to drive you home after the laparoscopy.

You may be asked to use an Reference enema Opens New Window or suppository several hours before or the day before the surgery to empty your colon.

The hospital or surgery center may send you instructions on how to get ready for your laparoscopy or a nurse may call you with instructions before your surgery.

You will be asked to sign a consent form before having laparoscopy. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have about the need for the surgery, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results will mean. To help you understand the importance of this test, fill out the medical test information form (What is a Reference PDF Opens New Window document?).

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