Learning About Your Health

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) & Heart Valve Surgery:
Preparing for Your Surgery

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Preparing for Your Surgery

Use the following information to guide you as you plan for your operation.

Your Surgeon's Office Will Schedule Your Surgical Procedure
Your surgeon's office will schedule your surgery and notify you of the time and location.

Make an Appointment with Your Primary Care Doctor
You may need to make an appointment for a physical exam before your surgery. Discuss this with your surgeon’s office staff. One week before your surgery is the ideal time for you to have your physical exam. However, physical exams up to one month before your surgery will be accepted. Your primary care doctor will make sure you are physically able to undergo surgery.

Pre-register for Surgery at the Hospital Within 14 Days of Your Scheduled Surgery
For surgery on the Pacific Campus: Call the nurse facilitator at the Ambulatory Care Unit (ACU) at (415) 600-3303 to schedule your appointment. Plan ahead as this appointment may take up to 2 hours to complete. Please bring a list of any medications (prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal) you are currently taking and your insurance information.

About Your Diet

  • Eat heart-healthy foods.

  • Avoid salt and salty foods.

  • Take a multivitamin and mineral supplement to promote healing.
Planning Your Activity
  • Follow your usual activities, as directed by your doctor.

  • Avoid strenuous activity before your surgery and until you have fully recovered from your operation.
Quit Smoking
  • Talk with your doctor about quitting smoking. The Community Health Resource Center, in the Lobby at 2100 Webster Street, has classes and support groups for people who want to quit smoking.

  • Call 1-800-NO-BUTTS for more information about smoking cessation.

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Understanding Your Medications

  • Ask your surgeon/primary doctor if and when you should stop taking any of your routine medications.


  • Your surgeon or primary doctor may request that you bring all of your medications in the original containers to the hospital. Note: For patient safety, please give any and all medications from home to the nursing staff. Medication brought in from home will not be used during your stay in the hospital unless it is not available from the hospital pharmacy. Your medications will be returned to you when you are ready to go home.


  • If you are taking any vitamins, herbal supplements, or over-the-counter medications, please discuss this with your surgeon/primary doctor and inform the nurse facilitator during pre-registration. Some of these medications also need to be stopped before surgery.


  • Review the list of your current medications with the nurse facilitator:


    • If you are taking blood-thinning medications such as Coumadin (Warfarin), Plavix (Clopidogrel), or Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory medications such as Naprosyn (Naproxen), Advil (Ibuprofen), Motrin (Ibuprofen) - ask your surgeon/primary doctor when you should stop taking these medications before your surgery. Note: In most cases, Plavix (Clopidogrel) should be stopped 1 week before surgery. Coumadin (Warfarin) is usually stopped at least 3 days before surgery, but you may need to take a substitute medication. You do not need to stop taking Aspirin unless your cardiologist or surgeon tells you to stop it.


    • If you are taking medications for diabetes such as Glucophage (Metformin), Micronase (Glyburide), or Glucotrol (Glipizide), ask your surgeon/primary doctor when you should stop taking these medications before your surgery. If you are taking insulin for diabetes, ask your surgeon/primary doctor about the dosage (amount) and type of insulin you should take, or whether NOT to take your insulin, prior to the surgery.

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The Day Before Surgery

  • Call your surgeon immediately for any changes in your health condition such as fever or cold. Be sure to tell your surgeon if you are pregnant.


  • You may eat your regular diet until the evening before your surgery. You should drink plenty of fluids until midnight to make sure that you are hydrated.


  • Nothing to eat or drink after midnight: Do not eat or drink anything including coffee, water, Lifesavers®, and chewing gum after midnight the night before your surgery unless otherwise indicated by your surgeon. If you have had something to eat or drink, please notify your surgeon.


  • You are strongly encouraged not to smoke or drink alcohol 24 hours before your surgery.


  • Shower and shampoo with antibacterial solution the night before surgery or as instructed by your doctor.


  • Gently apply Bactroban (Mupirocin) antibacterial nasal ointment inside both nasal passages the night before surgery.

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The Day of Surgery

  • Shower and shampoo with antibacterial solution the morning of surgery.


  • Gently apply Bactroban (Mupirocin) antibacterial nasal ointment inside both nasal passages the morning of surgery.


  • Take heart and blood pressure medications before coming to the hospital with a small sip of water only, as directed by your surgeon/primary doctor or nurse facilitator.


  • Arrive 2 hours before your scheduled surgery. This time is required by the staff to help prepare you for your surgery.


  • If you are scheduled for a 7:00, 7:15, 7:30 a.m. surgery, please arrive at 6:00 a.m.


  • Most surgeries are performed on time (for example: within 30 minutes of the scheduled surgery). The staff will keep you well informed of any delays.

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Where Do I Go for My Surgery?

On the day of your surgery, go to:

Ambulatory Care Unit (ACU)
2351 Clay Street
Stanford Building, 6th Floor
Telephone: (415) 600-3480

View a map of the Pacific Campus

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More Ways to Learn

Visit our Community Health Resource Center
The Community Health Resource Center is located at 2100 Webster Street, San Francisco, (415) 923-3155. Services include classes, and written information on a wide variety of health topics.


Produced by the Center for Patient and Community Education in association with the staff and physicians at California Pacific Medical Center. Last updated: 11/04

© 2002-2010 California Pacific Medical Center

Funded by: A generous donation from the Mr. and Mrs. Arthur A. Ciocca Foundation.

Note: This information is not meant to replace any information or personal medical advice which you get directly from your doctor(s). If you have any questions about this information, such as the risks or benefits of the treatment listed, please ask your doctor(s).

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