PREPARE FOR YOUR PROCEDURE:

5 days before your procedure:

Stop all blood thinning medications such as Coumadin, Plavix, Aspirin and Ibuprofen. If you are not sure if one of your medications is a blood thinner, please ask. If you are taking blood thinners for your heart, you will need to confirm with your cardiologist that discontinuing this medicine is safe for you.

Confirm any arrangements you need to secure the day off work. Do not plan other appointments, errands, or activities, as your procedure will require a minimum of several hours of your time. Make arrangements for a responsible adult to bring you to the hospital and DRIVE YOU HOME. We cannot start your procedure without verification of your ride home. Taxis are not an acceptable option, because your driver will also be the person to take responsibility for your discharge instructions.

If your doctor has requested it, you will have labs drawn during this time period and meet with a nurse to go over additional medical information. This varies from facility to facility. You may receive a call from the hospital to confirm your medications and instructions. Be sure to have accurate contact information so we can reach you to go over your instructions.

If you are having RFA of a tumor, you will probably be asked to come in for a consultation with the midlevel provider and the Interventional Radiologist to review your case, discuss the procedure in depth, and look at your images..

1 DAY BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE:

Eat a light dinner, then have NOTHING to eat or drink after MIDNIGHT the night before your procedure, unless specifically instructed by the nurse or doctor to take certain medications with a sip of water. Usually, any type of blood pressure medication or heart medication may be taken, as well as the use of inhalers. We want your heart, lungs, and blood pressure in good shape for your procedure! If you are unsure if you should take a medication, bring it with you to the hospital. You may be able to take it just before your procedure.

If you use a CPAP machine, or have been prescribed one for sleep apnea, please bring it to the hospital. We want your breathing to be as strong as possible during your procedure.

Try to get a good night’s sleep. You may feel anxious, but do not take any form of sleeping pills or anti-anxiety medication unless your doctor has approved it. Now is also not the time to try new medications, so if you do not normally take these types of medicines, don’t start. Confirm your ride to and from the hospital. Do NOT make any plans for the next 24 hours, such as taking care of children, work or running errands.

You will probably want to leave valuables at home, but if you DO bring them (purse, wallet, phone, electronics, etc), you will want to entrust them to your family member or friend who accompanies you. We DO have the ability to lock your valuables up with our security service, if necessary. Set your alarm clock! In most cases, you will need to arrive 2 hours prior to your procedure, which may mean a very early start for you!