Surgery Day Is Finally Here!

[annabell]

Sometimes with our pre-operative jitters we forget what we did to prepare and what we read that we would feel like or look like, what to bring and how to act. With the below tips and information I hope that you will be more at ease and know what to expect today. This list is just an example, as you should have received a similar list from your own surgeon. Always abode by your surgeon's instructions.

* Arrive on time. You should have the arrival time in your information packet or at least confirm the night before and make the proper notation. If you are late, the surgeon may cancel your surgery and charge you for it anyway. Then the surgery fee is non-refundable.
* Arrive Clean. This means freshly-scrubbed with your instructed soap, clean DRY hair - NO lotions, deodorant powders, perfumes, make-up - zilch!
* Wear your surgery "ear - comfortable, easily-accessible, loose-fitting clothing with slippers.
* DO NOT eat or drink anything after midnight on the evening prior to your surgery. Unless your surgery is an evening surgery -- which you should abide by your surgeon or anesthesiologist's instructions -- which is usually 6-8 hours beforehand.
* DO NOT bring rings, watches, chains, or other jewelry or large sums of money to the surgery center or hospital; leave these items safely at home. If they become lost - the hospital or surgeon is not responsible.
* Ask about Vitamin C capsules or tablets to be taken a few weeks prior to surgery. This is thought to promote good healing and ward off colds. Although Vitamin C promotes healing and helps with bruising it is possible that excessive Vitamin C consumption can cause over-collagetation (excess scar tissue formation) so adhere to your own surgeon's instructions.
* Also, discuss with your doctor the use of SinEcch arnica montana or Bromelain, a pineapple extract, for added ant- bruising and anti- swelling properties. Even drinking pineapple juice for 3 days pre-operatively is reported to help.
* Vitamin A is also a good one to take but as with any drugs, supplements or remedies ALWAYS check with your surgeon before you take anything.
* Take any medications you were instructed to take with only a few sips of water. Such medications may be Catapres (blood pressure), prednisnone, anti-inflammatory, valium, antibiotics, blood thickeners, etc.
* Prior to surgery, should you develop any fever, chills or other signs of a cold or other infection, call your surgeon's office immediately. If you do not and HAVE to cancel, you may lose your money as you should never be operated on with already stressed immune system.
* Bring with you any instructed meds, garments or bandages.

* Bring a bucket or can, with a lid and some cool, bottled water to sip and rid you of the nasty taste you get after vomiting. Besides cool water really helps keep the nausea at bay.
* Maybe bring a few packs of crackers to help with the nausea. Ritz crackers always seem like the best although plain saltines are fine. Low Sodium!

[RoxyMoron]

This is very helpful! I've never had surgery so I didn't realize that there were so many rules but it's great to have a heads up!