You’ve done your research, talked to your friends and family, found a wonderful cosmetic surgeon like Manhattan-based Dr. Nina Naidu and followed all of her directions, and now you are ready to have breast augmentation surgery.

Your surgical appointment is scheduled for tomorrow and you are planning for what to do and what not to do in advance of your surgery. Very specific things need to be on your list in order to make sure that you are fully prepared for the operation and everything goes smoothly. Here’s a list of things that you should do to be prepared.

Do Not Eat 8 Hours Before Your Surgery

Surgeons typically request that you do not eat 6 to 8 hours before surgery. Lots of people ask why this is important and the answer is that when you’re under a general anesthetic, which will be required for breast augmentation surgery, many of your body’s reflexes do not work properly. In this state, when your stomach has food and drink in it, there is a risk that you may vomit. This can be very dangerous when you are sedated because the regurgitated food could spill into your lungs causing damage or affecting your breathing. So you want your stomach and digestive tract as empty as possible during surgery.

In terms of liquids, you can drink tea, coffee, and water up to two hours before your surgery. Here again you do not want to drink lots of liquid, but you can drink small amounts without concern that they may negatively impact your surgery. Alcoholic beverages should not be consumed 12 hours before your surgery because of the potential risk of alcohol interacting with the anesthesia.

Make Sure You Speak With Your Anesthesiologist Before Your Surgery

Your anesthesiologist will call you the day or evening before your surgery to give you a list of things that you need to prepare for, and to walk you through how entire operation will be handled. The agenda for this call is to make sure that you do the things that are needed in advance of your surgery, too make sure that the steps taken during your surgical procedure are familiar to you in advance, and also to give you a sense of home and peace of mind that everything is under control. For this reason the anesthesiologist will be part doctor and part friend. This call is critical and in the event that you are not available to take the call, there’s a good chance that your operation will be postponed. So make sure you speak with your anesthesiologist before your surgery.

Make Sure that You Have a Ride to and From the Hospital

Today breast augmentation surgery is an outpatient procedure meaning that unless there are complications you will go home after the surgery. For this reason you need to make sure that you have someone who can drive you to the hospital, stay during your entire surgery, and then drive you home. You should plan this out in advance with the person so there are no issues regarding getting it done.

Finally, set your alarm giving you enough time to take a shower, brush your teeth and get yourself ready. In the AM, double check all the things on your list. This way when you wake up the next morning you can simply go through your list and be off to the hospital. Remember to not wear any make-up, and do not bring any jewelry or other valuables with you.

Being prepared will get you through your operation smoothly and get you ready for your new life.