You will have many visits with your doctor and several tests before you have surgery. Some of these are:

• A complete physical exam
• Screening blood tests, special imaging tests, and other tests to make sure you are healthy enough to have surgery
• Transfusions to receive extra red blood cells and platelets, if you need them
• Immunizations, such as pneumococcal (Pneumovax), meningococcal vaccine, Haemophilus vaccine, and flu vaccine

If you smoke, you should stop smoking several weeks before this surgery. Spleen removal is major surgery, and smoking will increase your risks of problems.

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), clopidogrel (Plavix), vitamin E, warfarin (Coumadin), and any other drugs like these.
• Ask your doctor which drugs you should still take on the day of your surgery.

On the day of your 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.
• Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to arrive at the hospital.