Preparing for Surgery and Procedure

Preparing for Surgery

Preparing mentally and physically for surgery is an important step toward a successful outcome. Understanding the recovery process and your role in it will help you recover more quickly and with less difficulty.

Working with Your Doctor

Before surgery, your doctor may perform routine tests, such as blood tests and X-rays, which are usually performed with the month before any major surgery.

• Discuss any medications you are taking with your doctor and your family physician to see which ones you should stop taking before surgery
• If you are taking aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications, or are on warfarin or any drugs that increase the risk of bleeding you will need to discuss this with your doctor, as they may need to be discontinued prior to surgery
• If you smoke, you should stop to reduce your surgerical risks and improve your recovery
• Have any tooth, gum, bladder or bowel problems treated before surgery to reduce the risk of infection later
• Eat a well-balanced diet, supplemented by a daily multivitamin with iron
• Report any infections to your surgeon. Surgery cannot be performed until all infections have resolved
• Arrange for someone to help out with everyday tasks like cooking, shopping and laundry
• Put items that you use often within easy reach before surgery so you won’t have to reach and bend as often
• Remove all loose carpets and tape down electrical cords to avoid falls
• Make sure you have a stable chair with a firm seat cushion, a firm back and two arms Preparing for Procedure

If you are having day surgery, remember the following:

• Have someone available to take you home, as you will not be able to drive for at least 24 hours
• Do not drink or eat anything in the car on the trip home
• The combination of anesthesia, food, and car motion can quite often cause nausea or vomiting. After arriving home, wait until you are hungry before trying to eat. Begin with a light meal and try to avoid greasy food for the first 24 hours
• IKeep your operative extremity elevated and use ice as directed. This will help decrease swelling and pain
• Take your pain medicine as directed. Begin the pain medicine as you start getting uncomfortable, but before you are in severe pain. If you wait to take your pain medication until the pain is severe, you will have more difficulty in controlling the pain