Preparing for an implantable device

Do the following at least one week before your procedure:

• Organize a ride to and from Royal Columbian Hospital or the Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre, depending on where your procedure is booked. You cannot drive right after the procedure. We will tell you after the procedure when you can drive again.
• Arrange to have someone with you if you would like someone to help you keep track of the information we give you, or if you need help reading or speaking English.
• Have someone stay with you for a day or two when you return home.
• Purchase the skin cleaning product Aloe Med Wet Washcloth Wipes or Comfort Shield Dimethicone Washcloths or equivalent from your local pharmacy or pharmacist.

• BC CareCard (personal health card)
• Photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport
• List of all your medication (prescription and non-prescription medications, vitamins, supplements, herbals, natural remedies, other drugs)
• All medications in their original containers (prescription and medicines without prescription)
• Dentures and case
• Hearing aids with a spare battery and case
• Glasses and case
• Walking aids (such as cane or walker)
• Leave valuables such as jewellery, money, and credit cards at home

Unless your doctor has told you otherwise:

• Eat a snack the evening before your procedure.
• Do not eat any food after midnight (12:00 a.m.).
• If you are thirsty during the night, drink as much clear liquids as you like (such as water, clear juice, or clear tea).
• At 5:00 a.m. the morning of your procedure, drink one or two glasses of clear apple juice or cranberry juice.
• Do not drink any liquids after 5:00 a.m.

• Remove any make up, nail polish, and jewellery.
• Clean the skin of the front of your upper body to your waist, your neck, and both under arms with a skin cleansing product (Aloe Med Wet Washcloth Wipes or Comfort Shield Dimethicone Washcloths or equivalent).
• For the pre-packaged wipe: Use the wipe to clean your skin as described above. Do not rinse your skin. Let the product dry on your skin.
• For the liquid, soap, or brush: Wash, rinse, and dry your skin.
• Do not shave any part of your upper body. We will remove any hair if needed.
• Do not put on body products after the skin cleaning, such as perfume, lotion, deodorant, or powder.
• Put on freshly washed clothes.

• Take all medications you normally take in the morning with a small sip of water, unless your doctor has told you something different.
• If you have diabetes, do not take your diabetic medication before coming into hospital, unless your doctor has told you to. Bring your diabetic pills or insulin with you to the hospital.
• If you are taking blood thinners, ask your doctor when to stop taking the medication before the procedure.