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How to Prepare for Surgery


About this topic


Some surgeries are outpatient. This means you come to the hospital just for the day of your surgery. You do not have to stay all night in the hospital. For other surgeries, you may have to stay in the hospital after surgery or come in the day before surgery. ‚  
There are certain things that are common for most kinds of surgery. These are planned to keep you safe. Learn what you can do to get ready for your surgery. This will help you and the team that is caring for you during your surgery. Also learn about the things the doctor and nurses do to keep you safe during surgery. ‚  

General


These are things you can do to lower your chances of having problems after your surgery: ‚  
  • Stop smoking if you are a smoker. Smoking limits how much oxygen gets to your body for healing.
  • Talk to your doctor about all the drugs you take. This includes over the counter drugs, natural products, and vitamins.
    • There may be some you can take the day of your surgery. If you are diabetic, talk to your doctor about your drugs, especially if you are on insulin. Your doctor may tell you to take less than usual on the day of your surgery.
    • Your doctor may want you to stop taking some of your drugs before surgery. Some drugs and natural products make it harder for your blood to clot. Then you may have more bleeding during or after surgery. Talk to your doctor if you take aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), or warfarin (Coumadin). Also be sure to talk to your doctor about natural products like garlic, fish oil, and ginkgo biloba.
  • Have the tests done that your doctor orders before your surgery. Your doctor may want you to have lab tests, an x-ray, or EKG to see how healthy you are. Having these tests helps the doctor plan for your care during surgery.
  • Mild exercise like walking, riding a bike, or swimming may be good for you. It may help you breathe more easily before and after surgery. Ask your doctor if it is OK for you to exercise before surgery. Also practice taking deep breaths. Often after surgery you will be asked to take deep breaths and cough. This may help prevent lung infections.
  • Follow a healthy diet and eat nutritious, well-balanced meals. Eat a healthy meal for supper the day before your surgery. Avoid beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
  • Brush your teeth before your surgery. Take extra care not to drink any water while brushing. If your child is having surgery, watch them carefully so they dont drink any water while brushing.
  • Leave all valuables and jewelry at home. This lessens the risk of losing valuables and the jewelry cannot be worn to surgery for safety reasons.

Before your surgery: ‚  
  • You will not be allowed to drive right away after surgery. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you home.
  • Most often your doctor will want you to have an adult stay with you for at least 24 hours.
  • Wash your hair and take a bath or shower before your surgery. The doctor may give you special soap to wash with before the surgery to lessen the germs on your skin.
  • Do not use body lotions, perfumes, powders, and creams on your skin, especially near the surgical site. Do not wear makeup, especially eye makeup.
  • You will also need to take off nail polish and jewelry.
  • Stop eating and drinking at the time you are told to. This helps to make sure that your stomach is empty while you are under anesthesia.

At the hospital or surgery center, the staff will work to get you ready for your surgery. Here are some of the things that will happen before you get to the operating room: ‚  
  • You will have a bracelet that has your name, birth date, and other information on it. Staff may check this bracelet often or ask you your name and birthdate. This is a safety check to make sure they have the right patient.
  • If you have allergies, you may have to wear a bracelet with them listed on it. You may also have a bracelet to tell staff that you are at a higher risk of falling.
  • You will change out of your clothing and wear a hospital gown. You will need to take off your glasses and remove contact lenses or dentures before your surgery.
  • The staff will:
    • Give you warm blankets or use a warming blanket so you are not cold.
    • Take your temperature and blood pressure. They may also ask about or check your height and weight.
    • Ask questions about your health history and allergies. You may have to tell this information to others as well. This is another safety check.
    • Put an I.V. in your hand or arm to give you fluids and drugs. You may be given a drug to make you sleepy.
    • Put special stockings or boots on your legs and feet to help with blood flow.
  • The anesthesia team will:
    • Ask about your history and allergies.
    • Talk with you about your surgery and what they will do to keep you comfortable during surgery.
    • Have you meet people who will be in the operating room with you.
  • Your doctor will:
    • Talk with you about your surgery and the risks and benefits. Be sure to ask any questions you may have. You may need to sign a consent form if you have not already done so.
    • Talk with you about the possible need for blood products. You may be asked to sign a consent for blood products as well.
    • Sign or mark the part where you will be having surgery. This is a safety check.

What will the results be?


You will be ready for your surgery. ‚  

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs before your surgery to: ‚  
  • Help with fear or worry and help you to relax
  • Prevent infection
  • Prevent blood clots

The doctor may order drugs after surgery to: ‚  
  • Help lessen pain
  • Help prevent or lessen upset stomach
  • Prevent infection

When do I need to call the doctor?


  • Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
  • If you have a cough, cold, fever, or become ill a few days before you are scheduled to have surgery. Your doctor may want to reschedule it.
  • If you do not have a ride to and from your surgery
  • If you have any skin rashes, cuts, boils, or infections on your skin. Your doctor may want to reschedule the surgery since this can put you at risk for wound infection after your surgery.

Helpful tips


  • Wear loose clothing and comfortable shoes that are easy to put on and take off.
  • Remove all body piercings before you come for your surgery.
  • Bring these things with you to the hospital:
    • Your insurance card and photo ID
    • A copy of your advance directive if you have one
    • A list of all drugs that you take and the amounts that you take
    • A list of all your allergies and the kind of reaction they cause you
  • Make sure you will be able to move about your home easily after your surgery. You may need extra pillows or a recliner to rest in.
  • Have foods in your home that will be easy on your belly after surgery. You may want things like juices, crackers, soups, and jello.

Where can I learn more?


Centers for Disease Control ‚  
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/SafeSurgery/ ‚  
The Joint Commission ‚  
http://www.jointcommission.org/assets/1/18/wrong_site_brochure.pdf ‚  
KidsHealth ‚  
http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/surgery/hosp_surgery.html ‚  
NHS Choices ‚  
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/surgery/Pages/preparing-for-surgery.aspx ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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