how to prepare for your wide excision

Please review and follow ALL instructions:

1. You can drive yourself to your surgery. However, if you have every felt light-headed or faint during a medical procedure or bloodwork, we recommend you have a driver. 

2. We strongly encourage you to eat at least 60 minutes prior to your surgery.

3. Wear clean, loose, comfortable clothing that is washable; please avoid white if you can.

4. Plan to be at Calgary Skin Cancer Centre for 1-3 hours. 

5. Do not smoke or use tobacco for one (1) day prior to your surgery and for three (3) days after surgery. 

6. Review our “Medications and Supplements to Avoid” document in this section of our website to see if you need to stop taking any medications or supplements prior to your surgery. 

7. If you are on oxygen therapy, please bring enough supply for a minimum of four (4) hours. 

8. If there has been any change in your medical status, medications, or if you have been hospitalized within the week prior to your surgery, please let us know as soon as possible. 

9. Please do not leave Calgary Skin Cancer Centre until you have been discharged by Dr. Guillemaud, Heather Harper, Nurse Practitioner, and/or one of our Nurses. 

It is important to be in the best possible health for surgery. It is important to eat a well-balanced diet, get exercise, and rest. Smoking can greatly impact surgical risk and recovery. If you smoke, we recommend that you quit. Discuss the best options for quitting smoking with your family physician.