Preparing for Surgery
Prior to your surgery
Medications
Stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen or any of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications that can inhibit blood clotting one week prior to your surgery. Using Tylenol until the time of surgery is acceptable. Inform your doctor of all other prescription and non-prescription medications that you may be taking at the pre-operative appointment.
Blood donation
Though most surgeries do not require a blood transfusion you should discuss the possibility with your surgeon. If you would like to store blood for your surgery in advance, call the American Red Cross at (305) 644-1200. They can provide information about cost and insurance coverage.
Smoking
If you smoke, you should stop before your operation. Any period of non-smoking helps, but to get the most benefit you should quit for at least 2 weeks before surgery. You will not cough as much and your risk of infection is greatly decreased. If you need nicotine, consider bringing a nicotine patch to the hospital with you.
Disability
Register online for disability by clicking here. Bring the receipt number with you to your appointment.
Consent
A surgical consent is a discussion between you and your physician which includes the risks, benefits and alternatives to the surgery you will be undergoing. Additionally, special consent forms are signed for a tubal ligation (required by state law to be at least 3 days in advance) and a hysterectomy, both stating you are aware that these procedures will prevent future fertility. A copy of each consent will be provided for you to bring to the hospital. It is important to bring these to avoid delay or cancellation of the surgery.
Pre-operative doctor’s visit
You may have a pre-operative visit scheduled with your doctor. This is the time you should have all of your questions answered. Your doctor may perform another examination at this visit. Bring a current list of your medications and drug allergies to this appointment. You may be asked to sign a surgical consent at this time and you may be given your post-operative medication prescription at this appointment. Make your post-operative appointment at this time.
Hospital registration
When you arrive, the hospital will place identification bands on your wrist that must stay on until your discharge from the hospital. Some hospitals require you to have blood testing done immediately after registration. Most outpatient surgical centers, however, usually do not require pre-operative blood work, but they may check your hemoglobin on the day of surgery.
The day before surgery
Diet
Procedures involving abdominal surgery may cause post-operative gas pains and several days to recover normal bowel function. You may have a normal meal the night before surgery. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight unless directed by your surgeon or anesthesiologist. You may take your normal medication in the morning with a sip of water.
Anesthesia
The anesthesiologist will attempt to call you on the night prior to your surgery to discuss your anesthetic. Be prepared to discuss your health history including any drug allergies, previous anesthetics and any medications you take. Your surgeon will request a general, regional or local anesthetic depending on the type of operation, the state of your health and the type of surgery. A general anesthetic induces a sleep state which prevents pain and memory of the surgery. A regional anesthetic blocks feeling in a significant region of the body to prevent pain at the surgery site. You may still feel pressure in this part of your body during the operation. A local anesthetic is given by injection into the area where the doctor will operate and numbs only the region injected.
The day of surgery
Checking in
For inpatient procedures, you should arrive at the hospital 2 hours prior to your surgery time. Outpatient surgical centers request you check in one hour prior to your procedure.
What to bring
Please bring all your normal medications to the hospital with you in their original bottles. Leave valuables and jewelry at home. If you will be staying overnight, bring any personal items you may need such as an iPod, slippers and bathrobe. Wear loose fitting clothing to and from the hospital or surgery center for comfort. If you are having an abdominal procedure, consider purchasing a light panty girdle such as Spanx or cycling shorts to wear at home after the procedure to give you abdominal support.
Pre-op
The pre-operative area nurses will ask you about your health history, take your vital signs and give you a special surgical gown. You will be asked to sign a facility surgical consent for your operation and for the anesthetic. The nurses will ask you to remove any dentures, hearing aids, contact lenses, wigs and jewelry you may be wearing. Sometimes special stockings or compression devices will be fitted to your legs for DVT (blood clot) prevention. You may be taught to use an inspirometer to help with your breathing after surgery. An intravenous (IV) line may also be started in pre-op. Medication to help you relax may be administed prior to being taken to the surgical area
Operating room
When it is time for your surgery, you will be escorted to the operating room by a member of your surgical care team. In the hallway outside the operating room, the circulating nurse will introduce herself and verify the type of surgery you are having. She will also ask you many of the same medical questions you have already answered. The anesthesiologist will also meet you at this time to listen to your lungs and examine your mouth and throat. Once this is completed you will be escorted into the operating room. Your surgeon will be with you at this time.
After the operation
Once the operation is over, you will be moved into the recovery area. This area is specially equipped for monitoring patients after surgery. With your permission, your surgeon will meet your family in the waiting area to discuss your health. You will not remember much about what you are told on the day of surgery due to medications you are given both before and after your procedure. Most patients are in the recovery room for about two hours. Your family will be able to see you when you are transferred to your hospital room. In recovery, you will probably have an oxygen mask on your face and IV line in your arm or wrist to provide fluids and medications. Other tubes may be in place to drain fluid from the operating site or your abdomen. You may also have a catheter draining urine from your bladder.
Recovery in the hospital
Pain
Your doctor will order pain medication for you, and you are encouraged to ask for the medication on a regular basis. You will not become addicted to pain medication if it is taken to recover from surgery. Ibuprofen may be prescribed in addition to a narcotic to enhance the effect of the narcotic without increasing side effects.
Medications
You should continue to take most of your regular medications while in the hospital. In addition, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Medicine to help with nausea, sleeping or headaches is also available.
Activity
After the surgery, it is important to re-expand your lungs. You will be asked to breathe deeply, cough and change your position in bed often. An inspirometer (also called a Voldyne) may help you with your breathing exercises. As your strength returns, the nurses will have you move around as much as you can. Depending on the type of surgery, you may be able to start walking soon after your operation. Ambulating helps your body resume normal functions.
Diet
You will probably be started on liquids soon after surgery. Your surgeon may encourage advancing your diet to normal foods as long as you are not nauseated and have not had intestinal surgery. Sometimes it may be helpful to wait to eat regular food until your bowel function returns with signs of decreased distention and having flatus (“passing gas”).
Length of stay
Your insurance company will have a standard length of stay for an uncomplicated surgery of your type. You should contact the company ahead of time to determine this. Most vaginal surgery is allowed one night in the hospital and abdominal surgeries are allowed two nights. If you are not eating, ambulating and tolerating oral medication, you will need to stay longer. Insurance should cover your entire stay if there is a medical necessity.
Recovery at home
Outpatient surgery
After outpatient surgery, you will probably be able to go home within 1-2 hours. You are advised not to drive for 24 hours after outpatient surgery, so you should arrange to have someone drive you home upon discharge from the facility.
Inpatient surgery
Gradually resume normal activities as tolerated. No strenuous activity or heavy lifting is recommended until after your six-week visit, unless directed otherwise by your physician. Do not drive while you are still taking prescription pain medications or have pain that will restrict your ability to drive normally. Walk several times each day. Expect to feel fatigued during your recovery-- This is a normal response and gradually passes with time. Limit lifting to 15 pounds or less during the first four to six weeks of recovery. Climbing stairs should cause no problems. If you have a hysterectomy or vaginal surgery, you should not have intercourse for six weeks.
Medication
Take your pain medication as needed. Ibuprofen acts to enhance narcotics and may be recommended in addition to your prescription. Tylenol may also be sufficient. Resume all of your usual medications as previously directed. If you are constipated, use a Ducolax suppository or Fleets enema as a laxative. A stool softener (Colace, Citracel or Fibercon) may also be helpful during the first week or two of recovery. It may take up to two weeks for bowel function to return to normal. If you need a medication refill, please call our office during regular business hours to ensure your prescription is taken care of in a timely manner.
Diet
Your doctor may recommend a special diet for recovery from some operations-- A low fat, bland diet is best. We recommend avoiding spicy or acidic foods, drinking more water (than you would normally consume) daily and staying away from carbonated beverages. Narcotics can cause constipation, so increasing your intake of natural fiber or taking a stool softener may also be helpful.
Incision
Pain and bruising around the incisions are normal after surgery. Remove outer bandages (if any) two days after surgery. Steristrips should be removed 3-5 days after surgery. Surgical glue should be removed from the incision in the shower 5-7 days after the surgery. If you have staples, drains or sutures that need to be removed at your doctor's office, call to schedule an appointment. You may shower 24 hours after surgery. Do not use ointments, topical antibiotics or peroxide on the wound unless you are directed to do so. If your skin folds over the incision, keep the skin separated with clean dry gauze or a peripad. You may also use a hair dryer to keep the incision dry. The incision is usually healed by 6 weeks after surgery. It is normal to feel numbness and have swelling (edema) above the incision for 3-6 months.
Warning signs
Contact our office if you are experiencing a temperature over 101 degrees, severe pain, nausea, vomiting, urinary burning or increasing redness around the incision(s). Do not hesitate to call if you have any other questions.
Follow-Up
You should be seen at your doctor's office two weeks after surgery unless directed otherwise. A visit even sooner than two weeks may be requested for staple or suture removal, or to check your incision. Please call our office if you do not already have an appointment scheduled.
Source: Los Olivos Women's Medical Group
Medications
Stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen or any of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications that can inhibit blood clotting one week prior to your surgery. Using Tylenol until the time of surgery is acceptable. Inform your doctor of all other prescription and non-prescription medications that you may be taking at the pre-operative appointment.
Blood donation
Though most surgeries do not require a blood transfusion you should discuss the possibility with your surgeon. If you would like to store blood for your surgery in advance, call the American Red Cross at (305) 644-1200. They can provide information about cost and insurance coverage.
Smoking
If you smoke, you should stop before your operation. Any period of non-smoking helps, but to get the most benefit you should quit for at least 2 weeks before surgery. You will not cough as much and your risk of infection is greatly decreased. If you need nicotine, consider bringing a nicotine patch to the hospital with you.
Disability
Register online for disability by clicking here. Bring the receipt number with you to your appointment.
Consent
A surgical consent is a discussion between you and your physician which includes the risks, benefits and alternatives to the surgery you will be undergoing. Additionally, special consent forms are signed for a tubal ligation (required by state law to be at least 3 days in advance) and a hysterectomy, both stating you are aware that these procedures will prevent future fertility. A copy of each consent will be provided for you to bring to the hospital. It is important to bring these to avoid delay or cancellation of the surgery.
Pre-operative doctor’s visit
You may have a pre-operative visit scheduled with your doctor. This is the time you should have all of your questions answered. Your doctor may perform another examination at this visit. Bring a current list of your medications and drug allergies to this appointment. You may be asked to sign a surgical consent at this time and you may be given your post-operative medication prescription at this appointment. Make your post-operative appointment at this time.
Hospital registration
When you arrive, the hospital will place identification bands on your wrist that must stay on until your discharge from the hospital. Some hospitals require you to have blood testing done immediately after registration. Most outpatient surgical centers, however, usually do not require pre-operative blood work, but they may check your hemoglobin on the day of surgery.
The day before surgery
Diet
Procedures involving abdominal surgery may cause post-operative gas pains and several days to recover normal bowel function. You may have a normal meal the night before surgery. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight unless directed by your surgeon or anesthesiologist. You may take your normal medication in the morning with a sip of water.
Anesthesia
The anesthesiologist will attempt to call you on the night prior to your surgery to discuss your anesthetic. Be prepared to discuss your health history including any drug allergies, previous anesthetics and any medications you take. Your surgeon will request a general, regional or local anesthetic depending on the type of operation, the state of your health and the type of surgery. A general anesthetic induces a sleep state which prevents pain and memory of the surgery. A regional anesthetic blocks feeling in a significant region of the body to prevent pain at the surgery site. You may still feel pressure in this part of your body during the operation. A local anesthetic is given by injection into the area where the doctor will operate and numbs only the region injected.
The day of surgery
Checking in
For inpatient procedures, you should arrive at the hospital 2 hours prior to your surgery time. Outpatient surgical centers request you check in one hour prior to your procedure.
What to bring
Please bring all your normal medications to the hospital with you in their original bottles. Leave valuables and jewelry at home. If you will be staying overnight, bring any personal items you may need such as an iPod, slippers and bathrobe. Wear loose fitting clothing to and from the hospital or surgery center for comfort. If you are having an abdominal procedure, consider purchasing a light panty girdle such as Spanx or cycling shorts to wear at home after the procedure to give you abdominal support.
Pre-op
The pre-operative area nurses will ask you about your health history, take your vital signs and give you a special surgical gown. You will be asked to sign a facility surgical consent for your operation and for the anesthetic. The nurses will ask you to remove any dentures, hearing aids, contact lenses, wigs and jewelry you may be wearing. Sometimes special stockings or compression devices will be fitted to your legs for DVT (blood clot) prevention. You may be taught to use an inspirometer to help with your breathing after surgery. An intravenous (IV) line may also be started in pre-op. Medication to help you relax may be administed prior to being taken to the surgical area
Operating room
When it is time for your surgery, you will be escorted to the operating room by a member of your surgical care team. In the hallway outside the operating room, the circulating nurse will introduce herself and verify the type of surgery you are having. She will also ask you many of the same medical questions you have already answered. The anesthesiologist will also meet you at this time to listen to your lungs and examine your mouth and throat. Once this is completed you will be escorted into the operating room. Your surgeon will be with you at this time.
After the operation
Once the operation is over, you will be moved into the recovery area. This area is specially equipped for monitoring patients after surgery. With your permission, your surgeon will meet your family in the waiting area to discuss your health. You will not remember much about what you are told on the day of surgery due to medications you are given both before and after your procedure. Most patients are in the recovery room for about two hours. Your family will be able to see you when you are transferred to your hospital room. In recovery, you will probably have an oxygen mask on your face and IV line in your arm or wrist to provide fluids and medications. Other tubes may be in place to drain fluid from the operating site or your abdomen. You may also have a catheter draining urine from your bladder.
Recovery in the hospital
Pain
Your doctor will order pain medication for you, and you are encouraged to ask for the medication on a regular basis. You will not become addicted to pain medication if it is taken to recover from surgery. Ibuprofen may be prescribed in addition to a narcotic to enhance the effect of the narcotic without increasing side effects.
Medications
You should continue to take most of your regular medications while in the hospital. In addition, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Medicine to help with nausea, sleeping or headaches is also available.
Activity
After the surgery, it is important to re-expand your lungs. You will be asked to breathe deeply, cough and change your position in bed often. An inspirometer (also called a Voldyne) may help you with your breathing exercises. As your strength returns, the nurses will have you move around as much as you can. Depending on the type of surgery, you may be able to start walking soon after your operation. Ambulating helps your body resume normal functions.
Diet
You will probably be started on liquids soon after surgery. Your surgeon may encourage advancing your diet to normal foods as long as you are not nauseated and have not had intestinal surgery. Sometimes it may be helpful to wait to eat regular food until your bowel function returns with signs of decreased distention and having flatus (“passing gas”).
Length of stay
Your insurance company will have a standard length of stay for an uncomplicated surgery of your type. You should contact the company ahead of time to determine this. Most vaginal surgery is allowed one night in the hospital and abdominal surgeries are allowed two nights. If you are not eating, ambulating and tolerating oral medication, you will need to stay longer. Insurance should cover your entire stay if there is a medical necessity.
Recovery at home
Outpatient surgery
After outpatient surgery, you will probably be able to go home within 1-2 hours. You are advised not to drive for 24 hours after outpatient surgery, so you should arrange to have someone drive you home upon discharge from the facility.
Inpatient surgery
Gradually resume normal activities as tolerated. No strenuous activity or heavy lifting is recommended until after your six-week visit, unless directed otherwise by your physician. Do not drive while you are still taking prescription pain medications or have pain that will restrict your ability to drive normally. Walk several times each day. Expect to feel fatigued during your recovery-- This is a normal response and gradually passes with time. Limit lifting to 15 pounds or less during the first four to six weeks of recovery. Climbing stairs should cause no problems. If you have a hysterectomy or vaginal surgery, you should not have intercourse for six weeks.
Medication
Take your pain medication as needed. Ibuprofen acts to enhance narcotics and may be recommended in addition to your prescription. Tylenol may also be sufficient. Resume all of your usual medications as previously directed. If you are constipated, use a Ducolax suppository or Fleets enema as a laxative. A stool softener (Colace, Citracel or Fibercon) may also be helpful during the first week or two of recovery. It may take up to two weeks for bowel function to return to normal. If you need a medication refill, please call our office during regular business hours to ensure your prescription is taken care of in a timely manner.
Diet
Your doctor may recommend a special diet for recovery from some operations-- A low fat, bland diet is best. We recommend avoiding spicy or acidic foods, drinking more water (than you would normally consume) daily and staying away from carbonated beverages. Narcotics can cause constipation, so increasing your intake of natural fiber or taking a stool softener may also be helpful.
Incision
Pain and bruising around the incisions are normal after surgery. Remove outer bandages (if any) two days after surgery. Steristrips should be removed 3-5 days after surgery. Surgical glue should be removed from the incision in the shower 5-7 days after the surgery. If you have staples, drains or sutures that need to be removed at your doctor's office, call to schedule an appointment. You may shower 24 hours after surgery. Do not use ointments, topical antibiotics or peroxide on the wound unless you are directed to do so. If your skin folds over the incision, keep the skin separated with clean dry gauze or a peripad. You may also use a hair dryer to keep the incision dry. The incision is usually healed by 6 weeks after surgery. It is normal to feel numbness and have swelling (edema) above the incision for 3-6 months.
Warning signs
Contact our office if you are experiencing a temperature over 101 degrees, severe pain, nausea, vomiting, urinary burning or increasing redness around the incision(s). Do not hesitate to call if you have any other questions.
Follow-Up
You should be seen at your doctor's office two weeks after surgery unless directed otherwise. A visit even sooner than two weeks may be requested for staple or suture removal, or to check your incision. Please call our office if you do not already have an appointment scheduled.
Source: Los Olivos Women's Medical Group
