Instructions for Vaginal Surgery or Robotic Surgery - Prepare Before and After Surgery

Sep 27, 2026

Uploaded by SANS

Instructions for vaginal or robotic/laparoscopic surgery explain how to prepare before the procedure and what to expect immediately afterward. The guidance covers preoperative planning such as completing required medical tests, arranging faxed results, obtaining clearance letters when needed, and stopping smoking. It also details medication and supplement adjustments, alcohol avoidance, day-of-surgery fasting and hygiene steps, and hospital-day logistics like transportation and removing metal objects. It further describes recovery-room and family visiting expectations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

In the month leading up to surgery

The day before surgery

The morning of surgery

Hospital instructions for family and friends

In the hospital after surgery

| | SOCIETY OF URODYNAMICS ,
FEMALE PELVIC MEDICINE &
UROGENITAL RECONSTRUCTION | | INSTRUCTIONS FOR VAGINAL SURGERY OR ROBOTIC SURGERY SUCH AS PROLAPSE REPAIR, HYSTERECTOMY, SACRAL COLPOPEXY, OR SLING SURGERY | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | This information packet will help you prepare for your upcoming vaginal or robotic/laparoscopic surgery. We encourage you to review this information before surgery and have it available as a reference after surgery. In the month leading up to surgery • Your doctor may want you to do some medical tests before your procedure (such as blood work or a chest x-ray) . If you have these tests done at another location outside of your surgeon’s health system, then you must have the results faxed to us. • You may be asked to have a clearance letter from your primary medical doctor. In addition, if you have a history of heart or lung disease, you may need a clearance letter from your cardiologist and/or pulmonologist. If your preoperative clearance is done outside of your surgeon’s office, the letters must be faxed to your surgeon’s office at least seven days prior to surgery. • We recommend you stop smoking cigarettes as soon as you decide to have surgery. Even a short period of not smoking can improve healing and reduce the risks of complications after surgery. • Avoid drinking alcohol in the week leading up to surgery. If you use alcohol regularly then stopping suddenly could be dangerous. Let your surgeon and primary care doctor know if you drink more than 14 drinks per week or are unable to stop drinking. • If prescribed, please start using vaginal estrogen (which can be prescribed as either an estrogen cream, an estrogen ring, or an estrogen suppository) . The cream is placed in the vagina with a finger three-times per week in the evening. The vaginal suppositories are placed in the vagina twice per week. Please ask you surgeon if you are to continue using estrogen after surgery. • Stop any blood thinners (such as Plavix, Coumadin, Effient, Brilinta, Ticlid, Persantine, Pradaxa, Eliquis, or Xarelto) prior to surgery. Your doctor will tell you when to stop these medications. You must discuss stopping these medications with the doctor who prescribes them (especially your cardiologist) . o You may continue taking low-dose aspirin (81mg) • Stop taking all herbal medications, supplements and vitamins one week before surgery, including vitamin E, fish oil, garlic, and gingko biloba. Please ask your surgeon if you need to stop taking ibuprofen-containing medications or other non-steroidal antiinflammatory medications (NSAIDS) at least one week before surgery. Medications for arthritis often contain these drugs. The day before surgery ● You may be asked to take a bowel prep. If so, please drink only clear liquids for dinner and take 0.5 – two bottles of magnesium citrate starting at 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. until stools are clear. Magnesium citrate is available over-the-counter, but a prescription would have been sent to your pharmacy. ● The night before surgery, if instructed to at your last visit, please shower using antiseptic skin cleanser such as chlorhexidine wipes, chlorhexidine soap, or Dial soap. ● Pack a set of comfortable loose fitting clothing to go home in. This includes loose underwear. You may also want to bring sanitary napkins or incontinence pads. Please leave all valuables and jewelry at home. ● You must arrange for a responsible adult to transport you to and from the hospital. You cannot be discharged home unless you have an adult to take you home. ● Do not eat or drink anything after midnight. The morning of surgery • If you were instructed to take any medications on the day of surgery, you may do so with a small sip of water. • Do not eat or drink anything on the day of your surgery, including gum or hard candy. Please do not smoke or vape on the day of your surgery. • You may brush your teeth, but do not swallow any water. • Y

FAQs

What should patients do in the month leading up to vaginal or robotic surgery?

Review the instructions and complete any required medical tests. Patients may need clearance letters, faxed results if done outside the surgeon’s system, and should stop smoking and avoid alcohol in the week before surgery.

Which medications and supplements generally need to be stopped before surgery?

Stop blood thinners before surgery, and discuss the timing with the prescribing doctor. Herbal medications, supplements, and vitamins (including vitamin E, fish oil, garlic, and gingko biloba) are typically stopped one week prior.

What are the key actions for the day before and the morning of surgery?

The day before may include a bowel prep if instructed and showering with antiseptic cleanser. After midnight, no eating or drinking is allowed; on the surgery day, take any permitted medications with small sips of water and avoid food, drink, gum, candy, smoking, or vaping.

Sep 27, 2026

Uploaded by SANS