How do you prepare pre-surgery?
Diet
No need to change your diet from what you were doing last few weeks. Remember no eating or drinking after midnight the day before- not even water! You may be put on a special diet 2 weeks before surgery.
Medication
Talk to your doctor about your medications. If you need to take medications the morning of surgery, do this with small sips of water.
Activity
There are no restrictions on physical activity the day before surgery - the more you do the better.
What does the day feel like ?
Check-In
When you arrive, you will check in and likely fill out some paperwork. You will then be taken to the pre-op area. In some cases, you Covid negative result will need to be confirmed.
Meet with pre-op Nurse
In pre-op, you will be given a gown to check into and have information confirmed. You will need to be able to provide allergy and medication information. You may also need to give a urine sample.
Get an IV & Medications
You will have an IV inserted into your arm once or hand for fluid and medications. You may feel a pinch but it won’t be painful ones it’s in. You may get a range of medications, such as antibiotics, blood thinners to prevent clots, nausea, and pain medications. You may also get some anesthesia, a medication to help you relax.
Meet with the Anesthesiologist
You are going to receive “general anesthesia” , which means you are going to be comfortably asleep during surgery. Your anesthesiologist will meet with you to discuss the plan. They may also discuss a TAP block that can manage pain after surgery.
Meet with the Surgeon
Your surgeon and/or assistants (residents, surgical assistants, etc.) will speak with you to confirm the procedure. You may also be asked to sign some paperwork to confirm the procedure.
Go to Operating Room
You will be brought to operating room- it will be cold and bright- but you can get blankets if you need them. You will be moved to operating table- it’s narrow but don’t worry everyone fits! There may be a lot of people in the room- they are all there to make sure you have a successful surgery. The anesthesiologist will give you an oxygen mask and ask you to take deep breaths and you’ll go to sleep.
Wake up in the Recovery Room
You will usually spend a few hours in recovery room after surgery. You will be hooked up to monitors that check your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing and received medication through your IV. You may feel nauseous or may vomit- but that is ok and normal. You can ask the nurse about nausea medications. You may have shoulder pain from the gas that is used during surgery. It will go away in 24-48 hours. Movement helps it go away faster. If you have pain, discuss medications with the nurse. You may also be asked to start drinking liquids- sip slowly!
Go to Hospital Room
If you are staying in the hospital, you will be brought to a room, which may be private or shared. Depending on your medical conditions, you will be hooked up to range of monitors. Members of the nursing team will check on you periodically and provide medications. You will be asked to walk regularly to prevent blood clots and speed recovery. You will start clear liquids, such as water, broth, sugar free Jello etc.
Get ready to go home
If your surgery was in surgery center, you will prepare to go home. Your IV will be take out and you will get prescription for at-home medication. The nurse will review your discharge plan. You can get dressed and go home.