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You’ve visited your physician, and he or she is recommending you have surgery to treat a medical condition.

Whether you will need a quick surgical procedure and will be going home the same day, or undergoing an operation that requires a hospital stay of a day or more, you will be asked to take some steps beforehand to help ensure the surgery goes smoothly, and to reduce the likelihood of complications.

Planning ahead

If your procedure involves an incision, there may be some blood loss. In this case, you may need a transfusion during the surgery. Some people give blood prior to their surgery for use during their procedure. This must be done several weeks in advance at your local blood bank, so you should inquire about this option well before your surgery.

Most people are asked to do the following in the days and weeks leading up to an outpatient or inpatient procedure:

• Stop smoking. This is recommended up to two weeks in advance, but even quitting one day before surgery will lower the risk of infection and help the lungs recover from general anesthesia.
• Stop taking aspirin or ibuprofen. These drugs thin the blood, and stopping them a week before surgery helps reduce the risk of excessive bleeding.
• Get checked. Blood work, a urine sample and x-rays are among the pre-op procedures you could be asked to undergo.
• Understand what’s going to happen. You will meet with members of the surgical team to review the procedure and go over your health history. This is also the time to ask any questions you may have.
• Prepare yourself mentally. A positive attitude can favorably influence the outcome of your surgery.
• Bring someone. Normally a family member or a friend can stay with you prior to your surgery, and come see you once you are in recovery.
• Pack in advance. Have your bag ready for your hospital stay. If you do it a day or two ahead of time, you’ll be less likely to forget things you want to bring.

The night and morning before

Most patients will be asked to stop eating by 10 p.m. the night before a surgical procedure, and not to drink anything after midnight – not even water.

The instructions you received will indicate whether you should take some or all of your medications prior to surgery. If yes, sip only enough water to swallow them. Surgery is done on an empty stomach to lessen the possibility of nausea and vomiting from anesthesia or from tubes placed in the throat.

Most patients are taken to a pre-op area, where they disrobe, put on a hospital gown and receive a wristband. They may also receive a sedative to relax them. A family member of friend is normally allowed to stay with the patient while they wait to be taken to the operating room.

General anesthesia is usually given to the patient in the OR. It can be administered in a vein in the arm, or with a mask that also delivers oxygen. Sometimes, regional or local anesthesia is given, and while the patient won’t feel pain, he or she may feel pressure at the surgical site.

After the surgery

Once your procedure is complete, you will be taken to a recovery area and monitored as the effects of the anesthesia wear off. You may feel groggy and disoriented. If you have pain, let the attending nurse know promptly, so it can be managed.

If you are admitted, you will be transferred to a hospital room. If you have major surgery, you may be given intravenous fluids and pain medicine, and not be able to eat solid food for a time. It’s also possible you will have catheters to drain fluid from the incision site and to remove urine. And, you may receive assistance from a physical therapist to regain flexibility and help you walk.

If you have an outpatient procedure, your driver will be allowed to take you home in about an hour or two in recovery.

Going home

Regardless if your procedure is outpatient or inpatient, you will receive discharge papers and instructions to follow when you leave. This can include limitations for various periods of time on things like:

• Driving
• Bathing
• Exercise
• Sexual activity
• Medications

By preparing physically and mentally for surgery, from minor procedures to major operations, you will make the experience easier and your recovery speedier. If you have questions about surgery here at Westside, or would like a referral for a physician, contact Consult-A-Nurse^® at 1-866-4-HCA-DOCS, or visit Westside Regional Medical Center online.