Question:
The night before surgery,did you take a sleep aid?

I see a lot of people posting at 3:00 a.m. the night before their surgery because they are nervous!Has anyone gotten a valium,or ambien to help them fall asleep the night before? The nurse said we could take a Xanax the morning of surgery for anxiety.    — natalie J. (posted on November 2, 2003)

November 2, 2003
Our surgeon allows nothing by mouth the day of surgery unless it's something like heart or BP medicine that it would be inadvisable for you to skip...JR
   — John Rushton

November 2, 2003
I stayed up late, till about 2 am getting things ready for my mom because she was staying at my house with the children. Amazingly enough I was not nervous, excited maybe, but that was it. I was up at 5am raring to go. On the 2 hour drive my nerves starting going but I think it was more adrenalin then anything. I did ask for something to calm me down once I knew it was time for the epidural, THOSE make me very nervous. So, what I am getting at is that you might not even get nervous, but if you do, sleep aides might not help anyway. Good luck!
   — TheresaC

November 2, 2003
I took 15 mg of Ambien the night before my surgery, my surgery was 7.30 on the clock in the morning. Both the hospital and my surgeon was aware about this, Just remember Ambien stays in your system for 8 hours so don't let it interfere with your driving. But please ask your surgeon first if it's OK for you to take them.
   — Tove Annelise H.

November 2, 2003
Hello. I didn't sleep much the night before but I didn't care. I knew I would be sleeping most of the day after surgery anyway. I slept after surgery most of the time and half of the next day. I wouldn't worry about it, you will be sleeping lots after surgery.
   — AmyWollet

November 2, 2003
It's common for my surgeon to offer Valium the night before. If he offers it to me, I'm accepting!!!!
   — y0maria

November 2, 2003
We weren't allowed anything after midnight either, and definatley check with your surgeon before taking anything, some things thin the blood and other things, so be careful!
   — Saxbyd

November 2, 2003
I am 8 days post op. and I didn't take anything the night before my surgery. I went for a long walk before I went to bed and actually slept the best I had in several days. I went to sleep thinking that in 24 hours I would be on my way to a healthier new life. I might have also been "dreaming" about the new wardrobe I would be buying myself in a few months. My surgery went better than expected, I am feeling great and walking almost a mile a day! You will do fine...if you want to e mail, please feel free to do so.
   — Deb S.

November 3, 2003
My doc said Tylenol PM was fine to take to help sleep the night before. I'm scheduled for surgery 12/15/03.
   — gina L.