Prior to Day of Procedure
Phone Call from UNC Health Rex
Depending on the type of procedure and when it is scheduled, you may receive a phone call from UNC Health Rex within one month of your procedure. It is very important that you answer this phone call. The number calling is typically a "919-784" or a "984-960" number. The purpose is to gather medical information, give you important instructions, and possibly schedule an appointment to complete any necessary testing or evaluation before your procedure. Please be prepared to discuss your medical history, allergies, current medications and dosages and receive important instructions for your procedure.
Pre-Anesthesia Testing Appointment
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
If you are scheduled for a pre-anesthesia testing appointment. You may eat, drink and take your medications as usual. Please check in at the main entrance desk at least 15 minutes prior to your appointment to complete your registration, it is important to be on time. If you are unable to keep your appointment, please notify us at 919-784-3102.
What to Bring
Please bring the following items to your pre-surgical testing appointment:
- Photo ID and insurance card
- Cash, check or credit card for payment
- Medication bottles (prescriptions and over the counter vitamins and supplements that you take)
- List of your allergies (medication, food)
- Complete list of your medical and surgical history
- Copies of any recent diagnostic tests performed (blood work, heart tests such as an EKG)
- Advanced medical directives (living will or health care power of attorney)
Before Your Procedure
What can I eat or drink?
Do not eat any food after midnight - including candy, gums, mints. You may have 12 ounces of acceptable clear liquids until 3 hours before your procedure, unless otherwise directed.
If you take a GLP-1 medication OR have a diagnosis of achalasia or gastroparesis, you must follow the below guidelines:
- For 24 hours before your procedure, you MUST follow a clear liquid diet.
- Starting at midnight before your procedure, you may NOT have anything by mouth, including clear liquids. You may complete your bowel prep and take medications, if specifically instructed, with a sip of water on the day of procedure.
Acceptable clear liquids:
- *Broth is NOT considered a clear liquid*
- Water
- Apple or white grape juice
- Tea or black coffee - no artificial creamer, milk or cream (sugar, sugar substitutes and honey are okay)
- Clear, light-colored (no red, purple or blue) sports drinks or Pedialyte
- Sprite or Ginger Ale
- Clear carbohydrate pre-surgery drink (only if prescribed)
Pediatric patients (< 13 years old)
- Until 8 hours pre-procedure: May have solid food
- Until 6 hours pre-procedure: May have Formula or Non-Human milk
- Until 4 hours pre-procedure: May have breast milk
- Until 3 hours pre-procedure: May have up to 12 oz of acceptable clear liquids
How can I prepare?
- Do NOT smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs for 24 hours before your procedure.
- Do NOT shave or wax the area near your procedural site within 24 hours of your procedure.
- Notify your doctor if you are feeling sick, experiencing any health charges since your last visit or need to cancel or reschedule your procedure.
Medications
Before Your Procedure
- PLEASE NOTE: If you take aspirin or blood thinners (Plavix, Eliquis, Xarelto, Effient, Coumadin, etc.), DO NOT STOP unless directed by your surgeon. This may lead to cancellation of your procedure.
- STOP taking all NSAIDs (ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, naproxen, Aleve, Celebrex, Meloxicam, or others) at least 7 days before your procedure.
- It is preferred that you stop taking all weight loss medicines, herbal medicines, and herbal teas at least 7 days prior to your procedure if possible.
Day Of Your Procedure
- Please bring a list of your home medications, including the dose and frequency.
- If you did not have a call from a nurse or a visit in the Pre-Anesthesia Testing Clinic, take ONLY your heart, blood pressure, seizure, reflux and pain medications with a small sip of water, unless directed otherwise by your doctor.
- Patients with diabetes should NOT take any insulin or diabetic pills the morning of the procedure, unless directed by your doctor.
- Patients with breathing problems may use inhalers the morning of the procedure, before coming to the hospital.
- If you received specific instructions from UNC Health Rex about your medications, please follow those instructions.
Plan for Transportation and Care Overnight
- For all outpatient procedures, you must have a responsible adult (18 years or older) with you for discharge and to stay with you overnight.
- Endoscopy/Cataract procedures - The adult driver must remain on campus before, during and after the procedure until discharge. Your procedure will be canceled if you arrive alone or your adult driver leaves.
- For your safety, hospital policy will not allow you to use a taxicab/Uber/Lyft to go home, unless a responsible adult rides with you. This does not include the driver of the car service.
Advance Directives
If you have an advance directive (living will), please bring a copy with you to registration. It will be scanned into your chart. All advance directive forms must be completed and notarized before the day of your procedure.
Insurance Authorization
Your physician’s office will collect your insurance information during your office visit. Please be sure to provide them with all of your current insurance cards. Once your insurance coverage and benefits are verified, UNC Health Rex will work with your physician’s office to obtain any pre-certification or pre-authorization that is required prior to your surgical procedure.
To help us with the authorization process we may ask you to contact your insurance provider and/or physician’s office in advance of your procedure. Without prior approval, your procedure may need to be rescheduled to ensure that the financial responsibility does not fall upon you as the patient. For information, visit Billing and Financial Assistance.
