Laparoscopy: How To Prepare

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How To Prepare

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.

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:

• Do not eat or drink for 12 hours. An empty stomach helps lower the chance of vomiting during or after the surgery. If you take daily medicines, ask your doctor if you should take them the day of the laparoscopy.
• 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 enema 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.

Last updated:	July 15, 2008
Author:	Sandy Jocoy, RN
Reviewed By:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine, Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Tracy Landauer