Preparing for Your Surgery

Getting Ready for Surgery

Preadmission

In order to ensure that your hospital stay goes smoothly, there are some steps you can take care of prior to your arrival.

In the case of surgery, preadmission is required and must be completed before the day of surgery.

If you have not already done so, please call the preadmission nurse at (225) 658-6685 to schedule your visit. The office is located on the third floor of the Lane Outpatient Diagnostic Center, 6550 Main Street, next to Home Depot.

Preoperative Evaluation

Your surgeon will want to see you for an evaluation prior to the day of surgery. This appointment will allow your physician to ensure that you are currently healthy enough to undergo your scheduled procedure, and it also provides an opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.

Surgery is often associated with stress and anxiety. Knowing what to expect beforehand can alleviate your concerns and help prepare you for what comes next.

Some frequently asked questions during these appointments may include:

What type of pain will I have after surgery?
When can I eat after surgery?
How long will I stay in the hospital?
When can I return to work?
When can I drive myself?
When can I start exercising after surgery?
When can I resume sexual relations?

During this appointment, it is important that you inform your physician of ALL medical conditions you have, such as asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular issues, thyroid problems, back or neck pain, mitral valve prolapse, etc.

Not disclosing such conditions can put you at risk for complications both during and after your procedure. Your surgeon will then determine if it is necessary to have medical clearances from other physicians or specialists before you have surgery.

In addition to medical conditions, your doctor will also need to know ALL medications you are taking, no matter how minor they may seem. These include:

Prescription
Nonprescription
Over-the-counter, including aspirin
Vitamins
Herbs
Diet pills

Your physician will tell you which, if any, of your medications should be stopped prior to surgery in order to avoid complications.

Similarly, if you begin to feel sick (you have a fever, sore throat, nausea or any type of symptom) between now and the time of your surgery, tell your physician immediately. DO NOT wait until the day of surgery.

What to Bring?

All home medications
Your driver's license and health insurance card
A copy of your living will, if applicable
Any special medical equipment that you use. For example, a CPAP machine
Your inhaler if you have asthma or any other lung condition
Any presurgery tests that were performed at another lab or hospital, including the results and other necessary paperwork.

Please leave all jewelry and valuables at home. The hospital is not responsible for lost items.

Important Last-minute Instructions Before Surgery

Take a shower the night before AND the morning of surgery with antibacterial soap. Wear freshly washed clean, loose-fitting clothing to the hospital.
You may brush your teeth, but DO NOT swallow any water.
If you are taking medication for any condition, please bring all of it with you the day of surgery.
If you have been told to take medication on the day of surgery, take it with an ounce (2 tablespoons) of water ONLY.
Remove ALL body piercing and jewelry; leave items at home.
Contact lens, eyeglasses or dentures cannot be worn in the operating room. Please bring a case for these items with you on the day of surgery.

What Not to Do

DO NOT suck on mints, chew gum, or eat or drink anything, including water, after midnight before surgery (unless your physician instructs you otherwise).
DO NOT smoke the morning of your surgery.
DO NOT wear makeup or nail polish.

The Day of Surgery

First Stop … Presurgery/Day Surgery

Upon arrival at the hospital, report to Day Surgery (located on the second floor just off the elevator). ALL family members and visitors will be asked to wait in the surgery waiting room until your preparation for surgery is completed.

Note: Only two family members or visitors per patient are allowed, and they must be over the age of 12.

Your safety is a top priority at Lane, and there are many safety checks in place to ensure that all members of your surgical team are fully informed of the care plan designed for your hospital stay.

We will ask you to verify your surgical procedure, and you may be asked the same questions more than once. Your surgical site may even be marked by a member of the surgical team. (These are the recommended practices for all hospitals accredited by The Joint Commission.)

Safety Before Surgery

If you have been scheduled for surgery at Lane Regional Medical Center, for your safety your stomach must be empty before getting anesthesia.

It is very important that you follow these eating and drinking instructions closely. If you do not, your procedure may be delayed or cancelled.

What Does NPO Mean?

NPO means:

DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING AFTER MIDNIGHT the night before your procedure. This means:

NO food items!
NO liquids!
No water
No juice
No soft drinks
No coffee or caffeine drinks
No candy
No mints
No gum
No chewing tobacco
No smoking of any kind
If you need to take any medication, your doctor will instruct you.

Why is it Important That I Not Eat or Drink Anything?

No matter what you may have heard from other sources, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you DO NOT eat or drink anything before your surgery.

Food, liquids and even gum and mints stimulate the increase of gastric acid secretions (makes more stomach juices). This could make you vomit during surgery, and the vomit can go into your lungs. This is called "aspiration pneumonia," which can cause surgical complications, a longer hospital stay or even death. The medication you are given for your surgery relaxes your swallowing muscle, which increases the chance of food and liquid getting into your lungs if vomiting occurs.

If you have any questions about not eating or drinking before surgery, please talk to your doctor or call one of the Day Surgery nurses at Lane at (225) 658-4539.