Your doctor may ask you to have these medical tests done before you have surgery:

• Blood tests (complete blood count, electrolytes, and kidney tests)
• Chest x-ray or electrocardiogram (EKG), for some patients
• Several x-rays of the gallbladder

Always tell your doctor or nurse:

• If you are or might be pregnant
• What drugs, vitamins, and other supplements you are taking, even ones you bought without a prescription

During the week before your surgery:

• You may be asked to stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), vitamin E, warfarin (Coumadin), and any other drugs that make it hard for your blood to clot.
• Your doctor may ask you to "clean out" your colon or intestines.
• Ask your doctor which drugs you should still take on the day of your surgery.

On the day of the surgery:

• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery.
• Take the drugs your doctor told you to take with a small sip of water.
• Shower the night before or the morning of your surgery
• Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to arrive at the hospital.

Prepare your home for after the surgery.