Surgery Center of Lancaster

Please review these IMPORTANT reminders:

General instructions 

1. Bring your government-issued photo ID and health insurance cards.
2. For infants/young children: Breast milk must be stopped 4 hours before your arrival time at the Surgery Center. Formula must be stopped 6 hours before arrival. 
3. For all other patients: Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the evening before your surgery, except as noted in the Medication Instructions.
4. You must have a responsible person 18 years or older who will take you home after surgery. This person MUST remain in the Surgery Center throughout your entire stay.
5. You will not be allowed to drive for at least 24 hours after your procedure. This is why you will need a responsible adult over the age of 18 to drive you home and stay with you for 24 hours.
6. Wear something loose and comfortable to go home in. Do not wear makeup or jewelry.
7. If you have any changes in your health, such as fever, cough, rash, cold, vomiting or diarrhea, let your surgeon know right away.

Medication instructions

1. Please take only the medications approved by your doctor or anesthesia provider the morning of your surgery with a small sip of water.
2. DO NOT take any diuretics/water pills the morning of surgery.
3. STOP all vitamins and herbal supplements two weeks before your surgery.
4.  If you use inhalers for asthma, please bring them with you.
5. If you take blood thinners, such as Coumadin, Eliquis, Lovenox, Plavix, Xarelto, etc., please follow your surgeon’s instructions.
6. If you are diabetic, please DO NOT take any oral diabetic medication on the morning of your surgery. If you take insulin, follow the instructions of the doctor who manages your diabetes.

*** If you take any of the medications listed below for diabetes or weight loss, please follow the hold instructions below and check with the provider who prescribes them for additional directions.***

Daily dose oral medications: Hold medication day of surgery

• Adlyxin (lixisenatide)
• Byetta (exenatide)
• Rybelsus (semaglutide)
• Victoza (liraglutide)

Weekly dose injections: Hold injection 1 week before surgery

• Bydueron (exenatide)
• Mounjaro (tirzepatide)
• Ozempic (semaglutide)
• Saxenda (liraglutide)
• Trulicity (dulaglutide)
• Wegovy (semaglutide)

Daily dose oral medications: Hold medication 3 days before surgery

• Farxiga (dapagliflozin)
• Invokana (canagliflozin)
• Jardiance (empagliflozin)
• Steglatro (ertugliflozin)
• Synjardy (Jardiance + metformin)

Other reminders

1. DO NOT smoke or drink alcohol 24 hours before surgery.
2. Please DO NOT use medical or recreational marijuana 48 hours before your procedure. These substances can cause you to have negative reactions to anesthesia and medications.

If you have questions about any of these instructions, please contact the pre-op desk at 717-431-2431.

Download Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) and Facial/Oculoplastic  Presurgery Instructions Presurgery Instructions (PDF)

Please review these IMPORTANT reminders:

General instructions 

1. Bring your government-issued photo ID and health insurance cards.
2. DO NOT eat anything after midnight the evening before your surgery. You may drink up to 8 ounces of water, black coffee or apple juice the morning of your procedure, but you must STOP liquids two hours before your arrival time at the Surgery Center.
3. If you are a cataract patient, bring your eye bag of drops, shield, sunglasses, etc.
4. You must have a responsible person 18 years or older who will take you home after surgery. This person MUST remain in the Surgery Center throughout your entire stay.
5. You will not be allowed to drive for at least 24 hours after your procedure. This is why you will need a responsible adult over the age of 18 to drive you home and stay with you for 24 hours.
6. Wear something loose and comfortable to go home in. Do not wear makeup or jewelry.
7. If you have any changes in your health, such as fever, cough, rash, cold, vomiting or diarrhea, let your surgeon know right away.

Medication instructions

1. Please take only the medications approved by your doctor or anesthesia provider the morning of your surgery with a small sip of water.
2. DO NOT take any diuretics/water pills the morning of surgery.
3. STOP all vitamins and herbal supplements two weeks before your surgery.
4. If you use inhalers for asthma, please bring them with you.
5. If you take blood thinners, such as Coumadin, Eliquis, Lovenox, Plavix, Xarelto, etc., please follow your surgeon’s instructions.
6. If you are diabetic, please DO NOT take any oral diabetic medication on the morning of your surgery. If you take insulin, follow the instructions of the doctor who manages your diabetes.

*** If you take any of the medications listed below for diabetes or weight loss, please follow the hold instructions below and check with the provider who prescribes them for additional directions.***

Daily dose oral medications: Hold medication day of surgery

• Adlyxin (lixisenatide)
• Byetta (exenatide)
• Rybelsus (semaglutide)
• Victoza (liraglutide)

Weekly dose injections: Hold injection 1 week before surgery

• Bydueron (exenatide)
• Mounjaro (tirzepatide)
• Ozempic (semaglutide)
• Saxenda (liraglutide)
• Trulicity (dulaglutide)
• Wegovy (semaglutide)

Daily dose oral medications: Hold medication 3 days before surgery

• Farxiga (dapagliflozin)
• Invokana (canagliflozin)
• Jardiance (empagliflozin)
• Steglatro (ertugliflozin)
• Synjardy (Jardiance + metformin)

Other reminders

1. DO NOT smoke or drink alcohol 24 hours before surgery.
2. Please DO NOT use medical or recreational marijuana 48 hours before your procedure. These substances can cause you to have negative reactions to anesthesia and medications.

If you have questions about any of these instructions, please contact the pre-op desk at 717-431-2431. 

Download Eye Presurgery Instructions (PDF)

Please review these IMPORTANT reminders:
General instructions
1.    Bring your government-issued photo ID and health insurance cards.
2.    Bring your sling/immobilizer, Polar Care Cube machine, etc., as instructed by your surgeon.
3.    DO NOT eat anything after midnight the evening before your surgery. You may drink up to 8 ounces of water, black coffee or apple juice the morning of your procedure, but you must STOP liquids two hours before your arrival time at the Surgery Center.
4.    You must have a responsible person 18 years or older who will take you home after surgery. This person MUST remain in the Surgery Center throughout your entire stay.
5.    You will not be allowed to drive for at least 24 hours after your procedure. This is why you will need a responsible adult over the age of 18 to drive you home and stay with you for 24 hours.
6.    Wear something loose and comfortable to go home in. We recommend loose, button-up shirts for shoulder and elbow surgery and very loose-fitting pants or shorts for lower limb surgeries. Form-fitting clothing will make it difficult to wear any braces, splints or bandages that are needed after surgery. 
7.    Do not wear makeup or jewelry.
8.    If you have any changes in your health, such as fever, cough, rash, cold, vomiting or diarrhea, let your surgeon know right away.
Medication instructions
1.    Please take only the medications approved by your doctor or anesthesia provider the morning of your surgery with a small sip of water.
2.    DO NOT take any diuretics/water pills the morning of surgery.
3.    STOP all vitamins and herbal supplements two weeks before your surgery.
4.    If you use inhalers for asthma, please bring them with you.
5.    If you are diabetic, please DO NOT take any oral diabetic medication on the morning of your surgery. If you take insulin, follow the instructions of the doctor who manages your diabetes.
6.    If you take blood thinners, such as Arixtra, Coumadin, Eliquis, Lovenox, Plavix, Xarelto, etc., please follow your surgeon’s instructions.
7.    If your surgery requires you to have a regional block, please follow these blood thinner guidelines:  
•    Stop Eliquis (apixaban), Arixtra (fondaparinux) or Xarelto (rivaroxaban) 72 hours before surgery.
•    Stop Plavix (clopidogrel) 7 days before surgery.
•    Stop Coumadin (warfarin) 5 days before surgery and have an INR (blood clotting test) drawn the day before or morning of surgery.
•    Stop daily or twice daily Lovenox (enoxaparin) 12 hours before surgery. Stop your therapeutic dose (1 mg/kg q 12 hrs. or 1.5 mg/kg daily) 24 hours before surgery. 
•    You do not need to stop aspirin (ASA) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

*** If you take any of the medications listed below for diabetes or weight loss, please follow the hold instructions below and check with the provider who prescribes them for additional directions.***

Daily dose oral medications: Hold medication day of surgery
•    Adlyxin (lixisenatide)
•    Byetta (exenatide)
•    Rybelsus (semaglutide)
•    Victoza (liraglutide)
Weekly dose injections: Hold injection 1 week before surgery
•    Bydueron (exenatide)
•    Mounjaro (tirzepatide)
•    Ozempic (semaglutide)
•    Saxenda (liraglutide)
•    Trulicity (dulaglutide)
•    Wegovy (semaglutide)
Daily dose oral medications: Hold medication 3 days before surgery
•    Farxiga (dapagliflozin)
•    Invokana (canagliflozin)
•    Jardiance (empagliflozin)
•    Steglatro (ertugliflozin)
•    Synjardy (Jardiance + metformin)
Other reminders
1.    DO NOT smoke or drink alcohol 24 hours before surgery.
2.    Please DO NOT use medical or recreational marijuana 48 hours before your procedure. These substances can cause you to have negative reactions to anesthesia and medications.

If you have questions about any of these instructions, please contact the pre-op desk at 717-431-2431. 

Please review these IMPORTANT reminders:
General instructions
1.    Bring your government-issued photo ID and health insurance cards.
2.    DO NOT eat anything after midnight the evening before your surgery. You may drink up to 8 ounces of water, black coffee or apple juice the morning of your procedure, but you must STOP liquids two hours before your arrival time at the Surgery Center.
3.    Dr. Vu’s patients who are receiving no anesthesia may eat a light meal the morning of surgery and drink liquids up to their appointment time.
4.    You must have a responsible person 18 years or older who will take you home after surgery. This person MUST remain in the Surgery Center throughout your entire stay.
5.    You will not be allowed to drive for at least 24 hours after your procedure. This is why you will need a responsible adult over the age of 18 to drive you home and stay with you for 24 hours.
6.    Wear something loose and comfortable to go home in. Do not wear makeup or jewelry.
7.    If you have any changes in your health, such as fever, cough, rash, cold, vomiting or diarrhea, let your surgeon know right away.
Medication instructions
1.    Please take only the medications approved by your doctor or anesthesia provider the morning of your surgery with a small sip of water.
2.    DO NOT take any diuretics/water pills the morning of surgery.
3.    STOP all vitamins and herbal supplements two weeks before your surgery.
4.    If you use inhalers for asthma, please bring them with you.
5.    If you are diabetic, please DO NOT take any oral diabetic medication on the morning of your surgery. If you take insulin, follow the instructions of the doctor who manages your diabetes.
6.    Follow these blood thinner guidelines for patients undergoing ALL pain procedures:  
•    Stop Eliquis (apixaban), Arixtra (fondaparinux) or Xarelto (rivaroxaban) 72 hours before surgery.
•    Stop Plavix (clopidogrel) 7 days before surgery.
•    Stop Coumadin (warfarin) 5 days before surgery and have an INR (blood clotting test) drawn the day before or morning of surgery.
•    Stop daily or twice daily Lovenox (enoxaparin) 12 hours before surgery. Stop your therapeutic dose (1 mg/kg q 12 hrs. or 1.5 mg/kg daily) 24 hours before surgery. 
•    You do not need to stop aspirin (ASA) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Ask your surgeon when you should restart blood thinners after surgery.
*** If you take any of the medications listed below for diabetes or weight loss, please follow the hold instructions below and check with the provider who prescribes them for additional directions.***

Daily dose oral medications: Hold medication day of surgery
•    Adlyxin (lixisenatide)
•    Byetta (exenatide)
•    Rybelsus (semaglutide)
•    Victoza (liraglutide)
Weekly dose injections: Hold injection 1 week before surgery
•    Bydueron (exenatide)
•    Mounjaro (tirzepatide)
•    Ozempic (semaglutide)
•    Saxenda (liraglutide)
•    Trulicity (dulaglutide)
•    Wegovy (semaglutide)
Daily dose oral medications: Hold medication 3 days before surgery
•    Farxiga (dapagliflozin)
•    Invokana (canagliflozin)
•    Jardiance (empagliflozin)
•    Steglatro (ertugliflozin)
•    Synjardy (Jardiance + metformin)
Other reminders
1.    DO NOT smoke or drink alcohol 24 hours before surgery.
2.    Please DO NOT use medical or recreational marijuana 48 hours before your procedure. These substances can cause you to have negative reactions to anesthesia and medications.

If you have questions about any of these instructions, please contact the pre-op desk at 717-431-2431.

You must arrange in advance for a responsible adult to stay with you at the Surgery Center of Lancaster during your procedure, drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours after surgery. You cannot drive yourself, be left alone or leave the Surgery Center in a taxi or ride share.
1.    Please bathe or shower before your surgery. Remove all makeup and fingernail polish. Do not use lotions or oils after bathing.
2.    Remember to wear loose, comfortable clothing, such as sweatsuits and easy-to-button shirts or blouses. Clothing must be big enough to put on over a large bandage after surgery. Also wear comfortable shoes that are easy to put on and take off.
3.    Leave all valuables, including jewelry and cash, at home. We cannot be responsible for damaged or lost property.
4.    A nurse will provide you with a patient gown. We will assign a locker for your clothing.
5.    We will also check your temperature, blood pressure and pulse and ask you to empty your bladder before your surgery.
6.    If our schedule permits, our nurses may allow one adult to wait with you after you have been prepared for surgery. We value the privacy of all our patients, so this may not be possible.

1.    Before you leave the Surgery Center, you will be given written instructions for your care at home.
2.    If you have not already scheduled a postoperative appointment, you will need to call your surgeon’s office to make one.
3.    After you are home, be sure to follow your doctor’s orders for diet, rest, medication and activity. Unless directed otherwise, you should start your diet with clear liquids. In four to six hours, you can begin to eat solid foods. By the next day, you should be back to your normal diet. 
4.    It is not unusual to feel a little sleepy, lightheaded or dizzy for several hours after your operation. Do not sign any important papers or make any significant decisions for at least 24 hours.
5.    If you have any questions or problems after surgery, please contact your doctor.
6.    A nurse from the Surgery Center of Lancaster will call you the day after your surgery to see how you are and answer any questions you might have.
7.    Do not drive a car, smoke, drink alcoholic beverages or operate machinery for 24 hours after surgery.