Preparing for Surgery/Procedure
Preparing for Surgery
Once you have been in consultation with Prof Nikfarjam or Dr Yoshino, and surgery has been arranged there are some things that need to be taken into consideration before your hospital admission. Outlined below are some ideas which can help aid in your recovery and prevent fewer problems.
What you need to do before admission?
- Fill in your registration forms and send them back to the hospital at least a week prior to surgery.
- Mr Nikfarjam will inform you as to whether he would like any blood tests or additional testing prior to your procedure
- You may be required to temporarily cease some of your medications prior to surgery such as blood thinning tablets (eg Aspirin or Plavix), diabetic tablets, herbal supplements etc- If this is applicable to you Mr Nikfarjam will discuss this with you
- Report any infections even cold and flu like symptoms so these can be treated prior to admission
Things you can do around your home prior to procedure?
- Prepare meals prior to your admission so you can make it easier for when you are discharged from hospital
- Organise to have someone help you around the home eg cleaning, laundry, cooking etc. This might be a family member or friend
- Put items that you use often within easy reach before surgery so you won't have to reach and bend as often.
Diet and Lifestyle
- Prior to your procedure try to maintain a well-balanced diet including plenty of fruit and vegetables as well as increasing your fibre intake with All Bran or other fibre supplements
- Depending on surgery you will need to take Impact drinks about a week or so prior to surgery. These nutrition drink help aid in healing (Mr Nikfarjam will advise if you need them)
- If you are a smoker try stop prior to surgery. If this isn’t possible, try to cut down the amount as it will assist in your recovery.
Thinking about your discharge
- Prior to your procedure it might be a good idea to think about if rehabilitation might be suitable for you. Your treating hospital will discuss your options and determine if this is suitable for you
- Try to have supports organised (eg family member or friend) for when you are discharged from hospital who can help you with tasks such as laundry, cleaning, cooking etc.
- Make sure you have adequate pain relief to take home. You will generally need some sort of pain relief for the first few days after surgery and you can then decrease the dose as you feel able.
If you are having a Day Procedure
Have someone available to take you home, 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 anaesthesia, 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.
If you had surgery on an extremity (leg, knee, hand or elbow), keep that 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 controlling the pain.
