What You Should Know Before Surgery
It is normal to be nervous as the day of your surgery gets closer. It is important that you understand the procedures involved in your stay to make your transition through the facility and recovery safe. Please keep in mind that the surgical treatment of each person is different. Although you may be having the same operation as someone else, the way you will need to prepare and the things that you will need to have done before, during and after surgery will be tailored to your individual needs.
Before Surgery
- Make sure you understand your planned procedure. Ask your doctor any questions about the surgery you are planning to have.
- Make a list of medications you are taking now. Include the dose, how often you take them, the imprint on each tablet or capsule, and the name of the pharmacy. The imprint can help you identify a drug when you get refills. Any time that your medications change, change your list, too.
- List all medication and food allergies, and any over-the-counter medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, or herbal products that you take regularly.
- Eat healthy foods. Your body will need a lot of energy to stay strong during and after surgery. Eat foods high in protein the help keep your muscles healthy.
- Tell the hospital and your physician about any previous surgeries and anesthesia.
- Strengthen your lungs. Having strong and healthy lungs is important before surgery. Practice taking deep breaths and improve your lung health to have a full recovery.
- Ask the hospital for any personal hygiene instructions. Prior to surgery a nurse will call you and review all information you will need to be prepared for. During this time, you will have the opportunity to ask about any hygiene instructions.
- Find someone to drive you to and from the hospital. Plan on having a responsible adult help you get home from the hospital.
Day of Surgery
- As a general rule, you should not eat or drink anything after midnight before surgery. In some cases, you may be allowed to drink clear liquids up to a few hours before your anesthesia. This may seem strict, not being able to have a sip of water or coffee, but this decreases the risk for problems such as vomiting during surgery.
- You may brush your teeth and rinse your mouth with a small sip of water, but do not swallow any of it.
- If you have been told to take medicine the day of surgery, take them with just a small sip of water.
- Stop smoking for at least twenty-four (24) hours before surgery.
- Do not drink alcohol for at least twenty-four (24) hours before surgery.
- Do not chew gum on the day of surgery.
- Bathe or shower the day of surgery. Do not wear makeup, lotion, powder, deodorant or nail polish. It is important to remove your nail polish so that the doctors and nurses can see your true color during the surgery and in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit. The color of the skin and nail beds is an important sign of blood circulation.
- Clothing should be loose fitting, comfortable and appropriate for wearing after the procedure you will be having.
- Do not wear jewelry, including wedding rings, any and all body piercins, or bring money or valuables with you. Rings may be cut off, if unable to remove to lower the risk of problems such as swelling during surgery.
- No hairspray or hairpins should be worn.
- You may be asked to remove your glasses, contacts, hearing aids and dentures. Please bring your eyewear case, your hearing aid case and/or a denture cup.
- If you have a C-Pap or Bi-Pap machine, ask if you should bring it the day of surgery.
- Bring items such as your inhaler if you have asthma or a cane if you use one, to have ready if you will need them after surgery.
- Patients returning home following their surgery must be driven home by a responsible adult. You may be asked to provide the driver’s name and phone number.
After Surgery
- After surgery you are taken to the recovery room. You will spend 45 minutes to 2 hours in a recovery room where nurses will watch you closely. You may stay longer depending on your surgery and how fast you wake up from the anesthesia.
- Your nurse will watch all of your vital signs and help you if you have any side effects.
- You may have some discomfort when you wake up. Your nurse will work with you to make you as comfortable as possible.
- You may wake up with a dressing, an IV, oxygen, or other monitors and tubes.
- Your surgeon will talk with your family when your surgery is over.
- If you are an inpatient (staying in the hospital overnight), you will be taken to your room. Your family can join you after your time in the recovery room
- If you are an outpatient (returning home the same day as surgery), you will be taken to the recovery area. You will receive instructions for taking care of yourself at home.
- For your safety, you will need a responsible adult to drive you home and to stay with you for 24 hours.
For 24 hours after surgery
- Do not drive or use any machinery.
- Do not make important decisions.
- Do not sign any legal documents.
- Do not drink alcohol. (It is also important to not drink alcohol as long as you are taking prescription pain medicine.)
Contact Cypress Pointe Surgical Hospital today to learn more about the specifics of before and after care when it comes to having surgery.