Oral Surgery Pre-Op Instructions in Tampa, FL
Confidence Before Your Procedure
- Step-by-step prep for surgery day
- Sedation and fasting guidance
- Procedure-specific instructions
- Four Tampa-area offices, one team
Important Sedation
and Anesthesia Preparation
NPO (which stands for “nil per os” and translates to “nothing by mouth”) rules exist to keep patients safe during sedation, and following them is the single most important pre-op step. Eating or drinking against the protocol means rescheduling. Here are important instructions to follow before your oral surgery at Advanced Oral Surgery of Tampa:
- DO NOT EAT for 6 hours before anesthesia.
- DO NOT DRINK for 2 hours before anesthesia.
- Drink only CLEAR liquids (water, apple juice, Gatorade-like drinks) until 2 hours before your procedure.
- DO NOT premedicate with sedatives, non-approved drugs, or medications. This is a safety risk; the surgical team will administer all sedation.
- Take regularly prescribed medications as scheduled with a small sip of CLEAR liquids on the morning of surgery, with the exceptions below.
- DO NOT TAKE: Insulin or Glyburide (Glibenclamide) on surgery day. Ask your treatment coordinator if you have questions.
- Discontinue 1 week before surgery (unless prescribed by your medical doctor): aspirin, Vitamin E, St. John's Wort, Ginkgo biloba, over-the-counter diet pills, herbal medications.
- Ibuprofen the night before is recommended to reduce expected swelling.
- No smoking for 48 hours before surgery.
- $200 non-refundable deposit secures the appointment. Forfeited without 48 hours' notice or if the escort leaves the waiting room.
- Transportation home is mandatory for sedation patients. A responsible adult escort with a car (age 18+) must drive you home and remain in the office waiting room throughout the surgery. Minors must be accompanied by a legal guardian.
- If in doubt, call us. Better to ask the team than to skip the protocol and lose your surgical slot.
The Day and Night Before Your Surgery
Rest. Go to bed early and aim for a full night of sleep before your procedure.
Diet. Eat a normal but light dinner the night before. Hydrate well during the day until your NPO cutoff.
Smoking. Stop smoking and nicotine use at least 48 hours before surgery. Nicotine slows healing and raises complication risk.
Paperwork. Complete any consent forms, medical history updates, insurance documentation, or other paperwork your treatment coordinator sent.
What to Wear, Bring,
and Arrange
- Wear a short-sleeved shirt for IV access to your arm. A sweatshirt is fine if you'd like extra warmth.
- Wear tennis shoes. Do not wear sandals, flip-flops, or high heels.
- Leave at home: contact lenses (wear glasses instead), nail polish, acrylic nails, tongue rings, and jewelry. Pulse oximetry needs a clear nail bed and a clean field.
- Bring photo ID, insurance card, your current medication list, your driver or escort, and any forms your treatment coordinator requested.
- Arrange a responsible adult driver (age 18+) for sedation patients. Help with kids, pets, or errands for the rest of the day. A quiet, comfortable space to recover.
- Print the instructions: a printable PDF version is available to take home or share with your driver and family.
Common Questions Before Surgery
What if I forget and eat or drink something before surgery?
Call us right away. Depending on what you had and when, we may need to reschedule. Do not skip the call; sedation on a non-empty stomach is a real risk. Reminder: the practice's protocol allows CLEAR liquids (water, apple juice, Gatorade-like drinks) up to 2 hours before surgery, so you do not need to avoid all liquids the morning of.
Can I drive myself to and from the appointment?
You can drive yourself if you are not having sedation. If sedation is planned, you must have a responsible adult drive you home and stay with you for the rest of the day.
Does a parent or guardian need to come with a pediatric patient?
Yes. A parent or legal guardian must accompany pediatric patients throughout the day, including during sedation and recovery, and must remain in the office waiting room during the surgery.
Is there a deposit for sedation appointments?
Yes. A $200 non-refundable deposit secures your appointment for sedation. The deposit applies to your treatment cost or carries over to a rescheduled appointment with at least 48 hours' notice. Without that notice (or if your escort leaves the waiting room during your surgery), the deposit is forfeited and the appointment is rescheduled.
