You have questions about your child having surgery,
1. What should I do the day before my surgery?
2. Why can't I eat or drink after midnight?
3. Which of my prescribed medications should I take on the morning of surgery?
4. Where and when should I show up on the day of surgery?
5. What should I bring to the hospital?
6. Where will I be going on the day of surgery?
7. When do I meet my anesthesiologist?
8. Cand you tell me more about anesthesia?
9. Where will I go after my surgery?
10Are visitors allowed in the Recovery Room?
11What are my options for pain control after surgery?
12Cand I donate blood to myself?
What
should I do the day before my surgery?
During the day and evening, you may eat normally and take any prescribed
medications unless your physician has told you differently. Please do not smoke
on the day before surgery. Please be certain to shower or bathe and shampoo your
hair before coming to the hospital. After midnight, do not eat or drink
anything, not even water or gum. This is very important! Your surgery may be
postponed or canceled if you eat or drink after midnight. The only exception to
this is medication that your physician has asked you to take. These may be taken
with a sip of water. Finally, try to relax and get a good night's sleep. It is
important to be well rested before surgery.
Why can't I eat or drink after
midnight?
Having an empty stomach reduces the risk of certain complications of anesthesia
such as nausea, vomiting and pneumonia from stomach acid. When you are awake,
you have protective reflexes that normally prevent food or liquid regurgitation
into your lungs. Most anesthetics interfere with these reflexes. This is why
fasting (liquid and solid) is so important before surgery.
Which of my prescribed medications should I take on the morning of surgery?
We will discuss this with you on your Prepare Program visit. Most medications
for your heart or blood pressure should be taken on the morning of surgery with
a sip of water. Most medications taken by mouth for diabetes should not be taken
on the morning of surgery. It is important that these issues are discussed when
you visit us, but you can always call for further questions.
Where and when should I show up on the day of surgery?
You should first report to the Surgical out patient clinic, we will tell you
what time to arrive during your Prepare Program visit. Sometimes, the surgery
schedule is not yet available when you visit us.
What should I bring to the hospital?
When you come to the hospital, please wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing
and low-heeled shoes. Do not wear jewelry or rings. Instead of wearing contact
lenses, wear your eye glasses (and bring their case). Do NOT bring extra cash,
credit cards or other valuables. We cannot be responsible for storage of these
items. You may want to bring your own pajamas, gown, robe, slippers, personal
toiletries, or any special supplies you may need during your hospital stay.
Family and friends may wait in the Surgical Waiting Area until you are taken to
your room. Since space is limited, we ask that only two people come with you. An
Operating Room Nurse will call the Surgical Waiting Area to keep your family or
friends informed about your progress.
Where will I be going on the day of surgery?
One to two hours before surgery, you will be escorted from the Surgical Waiting
Room to the Preoperative Area. We will ask you to change your clothes and wear a
hospital gown. Your clothes will be stored in a garment bag. One adult may go
with you to the Preoperative Area. When you arrive, your Preoperative Nurse will
take your blood pressure, pulse, and temperature, and will complete any special
preparations ordered by your physician. You will be visited by your
Anesthesiologist. An IV (a catheter that goes into a vein to give you fluids
during surgery) will be inserted by your Anesthesiologist or your nurse. When
the Operating Room is ready, your Surgical Nurse and Anesthesiologist will take
you there.
When do I meet my anesthesiologist?
You will meet your anesthesiologist in the Preoperative Area on the day of your
surgery. This physician will monitor your breathing, blood pressure and heart
rate, and make sure you are comfortable during your procedure.
Can you tell me more about anesthesia?
Your anesthesiologist is normally assigned to you on the day before surgery. He
or she will make the final decisions about your anesthesia care. In the
meantime, there is always an anesthesiologist in the Prepare Program to whom you
can ask questions. For more information about anesthesia, see the American
Society of Anesthesiologists Web page on Anesthesia and You.
Where will I go after my surgery?
Most patients go to the Recovery Room after surgery. You will be closely
monitored by a Recovery Room Nurse during your stay. How long you stay in the
Recovery Room depends on your condition and the type of surgery that you have
had. When you are fully awake and your Anesthesiologist feels you are ready, you
will be taken to your hospital room. After some types of surgery, patients are
transferred directly to one of the Intensive Care Units
Are
visitors allowed in the Recovery Room?
Visitors are not allowed in the Recovery room. However, if your child is having
surgery, you are allowed to visit (in pediatric day case surgery).
What are
my options for pain control after surgery?
This depends on the type of surgery and your underlying medical condition. Your
surgeon and your anesthesiologist will discuss this with you. On your Prepare
Program visit, we can also discuss some of the options available.
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