A surgery can be worrisome, whether it is a straightforward treatment that can be done the same day or a complicated procedure that requires you to stay in the hospital overnight, you may have a lot of questions and thoughts going through your head. You might even experience fear, confusion, or anxiety.
Although these feelings are normal and to be expected, there are necessary things you must know before you go for a surgery so you don’t end up more confused or troubled.
Let’s look at those points:
1. Know about your health.
Before your scheduled surgery, it’s crucial to be as healthy as possible, advises Lavine, who currently blogs at Parenting In The Loop about maternal and child health. In other words, think about stretching or yoga if you don’t routinely exercise. Both exercises increase your core, arm, and leg strength, making it easier for you to move around when you’re in recovery or at home. After the procedure is over, getting enough rest and eating well will also benefit you.
2. Know about the surgery by talking to your doctors.
Understanding the ins and outs of the surgery itself goes hand-in-hand with discussing your fears with your doctor or medical team. Regardless of how foolish you may believe your fears are, remember that they are serious. You can feel more at ease before surgery by discussing your worries. Even if you are highly familiar with the surgery, it is still a good idea to be prepared if you have never been in a pre-op room or post-op recovery room. To ensure there are no surprises, have your healthcare provider walk you through each process.
3. Know about the items to bring with you in the hospital
- These supplies will ensure that your procedure is safe, easy, and comfortable:
- A list of all the drugs you are taking, or drugs in their original bottles.
- a list of substances or medicines, such latex or iodine, that you are allergic to or that have given you side effects.
- All current insurance cards, prescription drug benefit cards, identity cards for medical devices, and a driver’s licence or another form of photo identification.
- a duplicate of your living will or advance directive, if you have one.
- details about your pacemaker, if you have one.
- Any specialised tools you utilise, such as a walker, cane, or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, as well as any supplies for an ostomy or an insulin pump.
- Wear loose-fitting, comfortable attire to and from the hospital.non-skid slippers or slip-on walking shoes.
- Things to keep you occupied while you wait, including a book, music player, phone, or magazine.
- Jewelry, especially that for body piercings, should be taken off and left at home. Additionally, make plans for any children or relatives who need to be watched to stay at home during your procedure.
5. Know about patient’s safety measures
Being ignorant for your safety and cleanliness can make people contact surgical site infection.
Patients may contract SSIs during or after surgery. Any area of the body where surgery is performed is susceptible to SSIs, which occasionally solely affect the skin. Other, more serious SSIs can involve implanted material, tissues beneath the skin, or organs.
These infections may make it more difficult to recover from surgery since they may result in extra hassles, stress, and expenses for medical care. Together, healthcare professionals, patients, and loved ones must work to stop these infections.
What steps may medical professionals take to guarantee that the surgical site is sterile?
- Just before the procedure, wash their hands and arms (up to the elbows) with an antiseptic solution.
- Keep the operating room clean by using gloves, a mask, a gown, and hair coverings.
- If necessary, give you antibiotics before the procedure begins.
- Use a special soap that destroys germs to wash the skin near the surgical site.
Make sure to adhere to the advice given below after surgery to avoid surgical site infections.
- Before examining you or inspecting your wound, request that your healthcare provider wash their hands.
- Don’t let guests touch the surgical wound or bandages.
- Prior to and after visiting you, request that family and friends wash their hands.
- Before you leave the hospital, be sure you know how to take care of your wound.
- Prior to and after tending to your wound, always wash your hands.
- When you arrive home, make sure you know who to call if you have any concerns or issues.
- Call your doctor right away if you get any infection-related symptoms, such as fever, discharge, or redness at the site of your surgery.
6. Pain after surgery
As you move around and where you had surgery, you can experience pain, pressure, or a burning sensation. Your throat could be painful, and your muscles could be sore.
If you require pain medication while being treated in the hospital, let your doctor know. And find out what options you have for comfort after you get home. In addition to medicine, relaxation tapes, heat or cold therapy, and massage could be beneficial.
7. Know what measures you need to take for faster recovery
Consume nutritious foods to get the nutrition you need for recovery. Obesity or being overweight may increase your chance of problems. Even though dropping a few pounds can speed up your recovery, consult your doctor before beginning a new diet.
Get into physical activity.
You might heal more quickly if you do this before surgery. Talk to your doctor about it, regardless of your level of activity. They can teach you how to be active before and after your treatment in a safe manner.
Quit smoking.
You run a higher risk of developing infections during surgery if you smoke. Quitting prior to surgery may also hasten your recovery.
It’s best to quit smoking four weeks or more before surgery. It might be best to extend that time period to 10 weeks or more. The use of support groups and nicotine replacement therapies are only two strategies that can help you kick your cigarette habit.
A summary for your DO’s:
- The drugs you should take the morning of your operation should be discussed with your doctor.
- When to stop taking Plavix or any other blood thinner should always be discussed with your doctor.
- Let go of unhealthy habits.
- Make sure you have a competent adult ready to drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours following surgery. It could be necessary to postpone your procedure if you don’t have a ride home.
- Plan to bring any items your doctor has instructed you to bring, such as your glasses, hearing aids, or any other.
- Do plan to wear loose, comfy clothing. The greatest shirt is one with a full frontal button-up. Wear or bring a pair of comfortable, loose-fitting pants.
- All jewellery should be taken off and left at home.
- Plan to take a shower or a bath before arriving. Please avoid applying any body lotions, oils, or perfumes to the part of your body that may undergo surgery.
