Pre-Operative Instructions

For Oral, IV Sedation, and/or General Anesthesia Patients

You are required to have an escort for your appointment. If you are a minor, then your escort must be a guardian. This person must be over the age of 18, and able to drive you home. At the time your appointment is scheduled we will advise of an estimated appointment time.

  • For your safety and continuity of care your escort must be present during the entire time of your surgery.

  • You cannot have anything to eat 8 hours prior to your appointment time unless advised otherwise. You may have a small amount of water (4 oz.) up to 2 hours prior to your appointment.

  • For your safety your appointment will be cancelled if you eat or drink anything other than instructed.

  • You should take any prescribed medication (e.g.: blood pressure, heart) on schedule with a small sip of water (2 oz.) unless otherwise instructed. Do not take any narcotic pain medication prior to your appointment as this could cause nausea when combined with general anesthesia.

  • For your safety it is extremely important you inform the staff and/or Dr. Richard Hompesch of all medications you are taking to include nutritional supplements, herbs and/or recent recreational drugs. Many drugs can interact with anesthetic drugs used in your oral sedation, IV sedation and/or general anesthesia and can result in death.

  • Please make arrangements for someone to stay with you 24 hours after you have surgery.

  • For the safety of your eyes, please do NOT wear your contacts on the day of surgery.

  • Be sure to wear comfortable, short-sleeve, loose fitting clothing and layers, so if necessary, you can remove a layer for comfort. Be sure you do not wear anything of value including jewelry. It is possible you may get some blood on your clothing.

  • Please let us know if you would like to pick up and fill your prescription(s) prior to surgery.

  • Our Front Office Coordinator will contact you the day before your surgery to confirm your appointment. If we leave a message, please call to confirm the appointment. If we are not in the office, you may leave a message. Please let us know as soon as possible if you become ill (sore throat, chest cold, etc.) and need to reschedule.

  • We make an honest effort to keep on schedule; however, we may have surgery delays, emergencies and occasionally slow patient recovery. Please be patient since the doctor may need to spend additional time with you during your surgery.

We sincerely try to make your surgery the safest and best treatment possible. If there is anything we can do to make you more comfortable, please let us know. Thank you for choosing North Star Oral & Facial Surgery, the office of Dr. Richard Hompesch.