Hospital Affiliation

West Houston Medical Center

Preparing for your Procedure

Please follow these steps carefully prior to your procedure to help ensure your procedure goes as smoothly as possible.

Contact your physician prior to your procedure date if

  • You are not sure what time to arrive at the center on the day of your procedure.
  • You experience any changes in your health between your most recent visit to your physician and the day of your procedure, even minor ones like a temperature, cough or a cold.
  • You suspect that you are pregnant. Anesthesia and medication may be harmful to the developing fetus.
  • You have a latex allergy, diabetes, heart conditions, kidney or liver failure.
  • You take medications on a regular basis. Your physician/physician may have guidance about which medications you should or should not take on the day of your procedure.

Note: Do not take any medications containing aspirin, vitamin E, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, herbs, or weight loss products for at least seven (7) days prior to the procedure and the day following your procedure. If you have taken any of these, please inform your physician as soon as possible.

After Midnight the day of your procedure

  • Do not smoke after midnight the day of your procedure.
  • Do not eat or drink anything (including water, gum, mints, hard candy) after midnight the day of procedure, unless you are directed otherwise by your physician. Undigested food in the stomach can cause complications and your procedure is likely to be postponed if you forget to follow these instructions.

Morning of Procedure

  • Take a bath or shower and brush your teeth (taking care not to swallow any water) the morning of procedure because this will minimize the chance of infection.
  • Remove all makeup, nail polish, jewelry, and contacts. If you must wear contacts, please bring your storage case for use during procedure.
  • Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Keep in mind that our center is always kept at a cooler temperature. During the procedure, you will wear a patient gown provided by the center.

What to bring with you on the day of your procedure

  • Bring all insurance cards. It is important for us to have all the current and correct information.
  • Bring a government issued photo ID such as a driver’s license. Minors do not need ID but the primary insured party does need theirs.
  • Bring your form of payment, if required.
  • Bring a copy of your consent forms and an Advanced Directive if you have one. Your signature will be required in accordance with your particular procedure.
  • If you have asthma or emphysema, bring inhalers with you.
  • If you take insulin, bring the bottle of insulin and syringes with you.
  • Arrange for a responsible adult to accompany you to the center, receive discharge instructions, drive you home and stay with you for the first night following procedure.
  • Limit the number of people who accompany you to the center. We suggest that adult patients be accompanied by only one person.

What not to bring to the procedure center

  • Leave all jewelry, wigs, cash and valuables at home. We cannot be responsible for their safety.

Please call us

If we have not reached you two days prior to procedure to review your medical history, pre-operative instructions, and financial arrangements, please call us at (713) 587-0909 and ask to speak to the scheduler for your physician. If you have any other questions about getting ready for your procedure, please feel free to call us.