Surgery Pre-op Checklist For People With Diabetes. A checklist can help eliminate mistakes. Seems like common sense, and everyone’s aware that airplane pilots have been using pre-flight checklists for years. Your doctor should advise you to stop taking it before you have any medical exams or diagnostic tests that might cause less urine output than usual. You may be advised to start taking the medicine again 48 hours after the exams or tests if your kidney function is tested and found to be normal. Before taking metformin, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to metformin, any of the ingredients of metformin liquid or tablets, or any other medications. Ask your pharmacist or check the manufacturer's patient information for a list of the ingredients. I was asked a question on my patho exam about a patient (type 2 diabetic) asking the nurse whether or not he should take his Metformin before or after surgery. Related Questions Surgery on bi-cep tendon tear 1-2-15 takes nexium, (esomeprazole) diovan, Crestor, metformin and ibuprofen- when and what should he stop before surgery? Be sure to tell us about any medications you're taking. There are certain medications you should stop taking before surgery. Talk with your doctor prior to your procedure to make a plan for medications before, during and after surgery. Preparing for surgery when you have diabetes. Focus more on controlling your diabetes during the days to weeks before surgery. Your provider will do a medical exam and talk to you about your health. Tell your provider about all the medicines you are taking. If you take metformin, talk to your provider about stopping it. Sometimes, it can be stopped 48 hours before and 48 hours after surgery. If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, or any major medical procedure, tell the doctor that you are taking metformin. Also, tell your doctor if you plan to have any x-ray procedure in which dye is injected, especially if you drink or have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol or have or have had liver disease or heart failure. You may need to stop taking metformin before the. Stopping metformin before surgery EDITOR – The editorial by Jones, Macklin and Alexander makes several excellent and welcome recommendations regarding better prescribing of Stopping Metformin For Surgery. Stopping Metformin For Surgery Metformin : MedlinePlus Drug Information You may have to stop taking metformin until you recover.