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WHAT TO EXPECT FOR INPATIENT SURGERY
Referral/consult for surgery
Surgery is one important way that we can keep you healthy. When
your primary care provider has a concern about your health, they
may send you to a surgical specialist for further investigation.
During a consult visit, a surgeon will perform an examination and
ask more questions. They will explain their findings and recommendations
to you. They may recommend inpatient surgery, which will require
an overnight stay at the hospital.
Pre-operative Visit
Once a procedure has been scheduled, a pre-operative visit with
the Anesthesia Department will be needed. The anesthesiologist is
a medical specialist responsible for sedation, 'putting you to sleep',
and pain control after surgery. Some additional testing might be
necessary, such as blood count test, urinalysis, chest X-ray, and/or
electrocardiogram. A staff member will also discuss with you how
to prepare for your operation, develop a care plan, and make sure
that you have the appropriate support when you come home after your
surgery.
Week Before Surgery
In the days before surgery, your doctor will recommend that some
medications be avoided as they might interfere with healing or anesthesia.
Some examples of over-the-counter medication are aspirin and non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs such as Motrin, Advil, Excedrin and ibuprofen.
Also reduce or refrain from smoking starting a week before surgery.
Night Before Surgery
Eat a light dinner in the late afternoon. Avoid alcohol 24 hours
before surgery. Ask your provider if you should take your regular
medications.
After midnight, do NOT eat any food including gum, candy, breath
mints, or cough drops. Also do NOT drink anything - water, coffee,
juice, etc. Do NOT swallow any of the water that is used to brush
your teeth.
If you accidentally consume food or water tell your provider. Doing
so could be dangerous and the surgery may have to be postponed.
For your safety, surgery must be done on an empty stomach. Also,
if you begin to feel sick or develop a fever call your provider.
These are very general instructions, ask your MD, as instructions
vary with treatment.
Day of surgery
For outpatient procedures, patients should be at the hospital at
least one hour before their surgery's scheduled time. A staff member
will check you in and take you to the place where you will wait
before your surgery. There you will change into a hospital gown.
If you wear glasses, contacts, and/or hearing aids they will need
to be removed.
Take off all body piercings.
A staff member will come to check your blood pressure, pulse and
temperature. Your anesthesiologist will come to talk to you about
how you will be sedated, 'put to sleep', and cared for after surgery.
Shortly thereafter, you will be sedated and brought into the operating
room for your procedure. If you have any questions feel free to
ask them at any time. Our medical staff want to know about your
concerns. They understand that surgery can be scary.
Remember to bring with you:
- Someone to take you home
- Your insurance card
- A change of comfortable clothes
- A case or holder for glasses, contacts, dentures or hearing
aids (if you wear them)
- List of current medications and including vitamin, mineral and
herbal supplements, and any over-the-counter drugs you might be
taking
- A list of your allergies
- Any dietary restrictions
- Any legal arrangements that you have made such as power of attorney,
living will, or advanced directives
The day of surgery you should NOT:
- Bring valuables - jewelry, credit cards or more money than necessary
to fill any prescriptions
- Do not wear make-up and make sure nail polish is removed
- Do not use lotions, creams, aftershave, or perfume
- Do not use hairspray, mousse, or gels
- Do not shave or use deodorants near the site of surgery
Suggested Items to Pack for Your Inpatient Stay
- Robe
- Comfortable clothes
- Toiletries - hair brush, tooth brush, toothpaste, shampoo
- Something to read - books or magazines
- Slippers (non skid)
- Contact lenses, eyeglasses, hearing aids, dentures, prostheses
During Surgery for Friends and Family
We know that your surgery can be an anxious time for your friends
and family who accompany you to your procedure. Our staff will keep
them informed as to your progress while they wait in the waiting
room. Your friends and family will be able to see you once you have
been transferred up to your inpatient room.
After Surgery
After your surgery you will be taken to the recovery area. You will
be monitored and given time to recover, then transferred to your
inpatient room. When you awaken you will feel groggy. You might
even feel nauseaus. This is normal. You will have a care team who
will be looking after you around the clock to make sure that you
are being taken care of. Medical staff will be in and out of your
room to check your vital signs, check and change dressings, and
make sure that you are as comfortable as possible.
The length of your hospital stay will depend upon the type of surgery
you had. Cambridge Health Alliance has flexible visiting hours so
that your friends and family may visit you while you are in the
hospital. Your room will also have different amenities for your
comfort and to help you stay connected.
Your surgeon will determine when you are ready to go home. They
will go over instructions on how to take care of yourself at home.
You may also be given prescriptions that you will need to have filled.
Appointments for checkups and rehab will also be made. If the person
who will be picking you up from the hospital needs some extra help,
a staff member will help you to your car.
You should take it easy the next few days after surgery. Do not
drive or operate machinery the day after your surgery. If you have
questions about what you should or should not do, ask your provider.
You may be tired and feel discomfort after surgery. This is to
be expected. Your provider will give you something to ease the pain
or discomfort. If you are in pain, have a fever, or drainage and/or
pus from where you had surgery, call your provider right away. If
you have any acute concerns, call 911 or have someone drive you
to the closest emergency room.
Be sure to keep all post surgery appointments that you have with
your surgeon. Call your provider's office for any questions that
you might have.
General things to remember when home after surgery:
- Keep the surgical site/s clean and dry
- Get lots of rest
- Drink fluids
- Eat a healthy diet with fruits and vegetables
- Take all of the medications as your provider instructed.
- Keep taking them even if you feel better
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