Your Guide to Surgery

Diet

Proper nutrition aids in the healing process. It is important to eat healthy and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids before your surgery.

Eat lights meals, especially the day before surgery. You may experience a decrease in your appetite after surgery, however, try to eat as you will be taking medication that may cause nausea on an empty stomach.

Exercise

Exercising up to the day of surgery if permitted by a physician, helps improve strength for a successful outcome during recovery.

Talk with your physician about participating in a pre-operative exercise program or with our therapy team regarding the exercises.

Why is exercising so important in your recovery?

• Strengthening exercises to improve range of motion
• Upper body conditioning to help reduce muscle soreness and fatigue caused by using a walker, crutches or other aids
• Increases endurance, flexibility and overall strength

A family member, close friend, or designated caregiver will become an important member of your extended team to help you prior to surgery and throughout your recovery. These family members/caregivers will need to help you with:

• Transportation to and from the hospital
• Support around the home during the first week after discharge

Setting up your home prior to surgery is an essential step to ensure a safe environment after discharge from our facility. Consider these points before surgery:

Bathroom

• Patients with stand-up shower stalls may require a shower chair to ensure safety while showering.
• Grab bars are a helpful way to increase your safety.
• Remove throw rugs from the area.
• Have a caregiver clean up any water on the floor.

Bedroom and Common Living Areas

• Prior to surgery, arrange your home for ease of movement.
• Remove throw rugs and secure rolled edges of carpet with non-skid or double-sided tape.
• Remove all clutter, cords and uneven surfaces that could cause a trip or fall.
• Arrange items in cabinets and dresser drawers for easy accessibility (you should not be on a step stool or ladder after discharge, so be sure to move items as necessary so you can reach them easily). Items should be counter height.
• It may be difficult to sleep while lying flat, so have an alternative plan like a recliner or an area where you can sleep in a propped up position. This may require extra pillows for comfort. You will need to check with your surgeon about the position that is recommended based on the type of surgery you have and if you have hardware, or other requirements concerning the type of brace that will be used.

Children and Pets

• Small children may need some education on how to interact with you in a way that ensures their safety and yours.
• Teach children, family and visitors to use antibacterial hand gel often.
• Take steps to ensure that your pet does not try to jump on you or bump you while walking. Pets may also be a source of germs, so bathe your pet often and avoid letting them sleep in your bed until your surgery site has completely healed (no scab or skin breakage).
• Ask a family to secure the pet in a room or kennel before you return home, so the pet does not create a trip hazard or fall situation.

Stairs

• Ideally, stairs should have sturdy handrails on both sides.

We want you to receive the best pre-admission testing experience possible. By scheduling your appointment prior to arrival, we block our time, dedicating a one-on-one, uninterrupted visit with you.

Prepare to be at the pre-admission appointment for one-to-two hours. Please bring an updated list of your current medications. We want to verify the medications, dosages and frequency in which you take them.

On the day of surgery, you must remember several things:

• Take only the medications you have been instructed to by your physician; take them with a small sip of water
• Do not eat or drink; ice chips, gum or mints are NOT allowed
• Do not wear any jewelry, lotions, powders, makeup, etc.

Things to bring to the hospital include:

Personal Belongings

• Comfortable, loose fitting clothing
• Walking shoes with a rubber sole
• Personal toiletries
• Cell phone and charger
• List of important caregiver phone numbers
• Eyeglasses

Devices

• Assistive devices, such as a front wheel walker
• Hearing aids and batteries
• CPAP machine with proper tubing and settings (if applicable)

IDs and Paperwork

• Driver’s license or photo ID
• Insurance card, Medicare or Medicaid card
• Copy of your advance directive
• Bring current medications from home, noting time of last dose
• List of important caregiver phone numbers
• Educational booklet (i.e. Patient’s Guide to Total Joint Replacement and Care or Patient Pathway to Spine Center of Excellence)

Upon arrival at the hospital, check-in with Admissions at the time designated by your healthcare team. Here you will complete your registration and any outstanding business office details.

Following your check-in at the hospital, the staff will begin to prepare you for surgery. A family member or caregiver may remain with you in preoperative holding until you are moved to the surgery area.

You may be in preoperative holding for 1 to 2 hours, or longer based on your surgeon’s preferences. In preoperative holding, you can expect the following:

Nursing

• You will be asked to remove any glasses, contacts, hearing aids or dentures prior to surgery
• A nurse will review your medical history and all medications you currently take
• You will be asked to empty your bladder
• You will have your vital signs checked (heart rate, breathing rate, body temperature and blood pressure)
• An intravenous (IV) line will be started to give you medications for your procedure

Surgeon

Your surgeon will meet with you and answer any additional questions you have before surgery. If necessary, your surgeon will mark the surgical site with a skin marker.

Anesthesia

The Anesthesiologist or Nurse Anesthetist will talk with you about the types of anesthesia used during your procedure. Please remember to inform them if you have a history of postoperative complications, such as severe nausea or intolerance.

While you are in the operating room, your family or support member may wait in the lobby where our Concierge will assist with any questions or needs.

The total time required for surgery differs from patient to patient depending on the complexity of the procedure.

After your procedure is done, you will be transferred to the recovery room, or the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), and be cared for by a nurse. In the recovery room, you can expect the following:

• Your vital signs will be monitored
• You will be asked questions to determine if anesthesia is wearing off
• Your pain and nausea medications will be started (if applicable)
• You will be warmed with blankets if you are cold

During your stay at our Post-Surgical Unit (PSU), one member of your family or support team may stay overnight with you in the PSU and will be provided complimentary meals.

While in your hospital room, your nurse will:

• Monitor your vital signs
• Check your incision
• Give IV fluids, antibiotics and other medications, as ordered
• Manage your pain and nausea
• Assess urinary output; you will be getting out of your bed to use the restroom
• Monitor nutrition intake
• Assist with ambulation
• Promote restful sleep
• Assist in discharge planning

Length of Stay

Most patients are ready to be discharged from the hospital one to two days after surgery; however, you must meet specific criteria set by your physician.

The following are general criteria used to assess the appropriateness of your discharge:

• You are medically stable
• All postoperative goals have been achieved
• Initial home support is available from a family member or caregiver

When all the discharge criteria have been met, your nurse will discuss discharge instructions with you. It is important that your caregiver is present.

Prescriptions

You will be given any new prescriptions ordered by the physician. A pharmacist will review your medication list with you prior to discharge.

Patient Discharge Folder

At Wise Health Surgical Hospital, we believe that a patient’s discharge begins at admission. It is our goal to make your journey from admissions to discharge as easy as possible. One of our priorities are to send you home feeling informed and secure with clear instructions.

Patients do well after discharge. However, it is important that you contact your surgeon’s office if any of the following occur:

• You experience increasing pain at the operative site
• New or increased redness or warmth since discharge
• New or increased drainage from your incision
• Increased swelling or tenderness
• You develop a temperature greater than 101 degrees for more than 24 hours

Do:

• Keep moving
• Continue to be out of bed for meals
• Continue exercises as directed
• Take medications as prescribed
• Practice good hand hygiene when caring for your incision
• Call the facility or physician’s office for any concerns
• Keep the follow-up appointment with your physician

Don’t:

• Go more than 3 days without a bowel movement
• Skip prescribed medications unless directed by your physician
• Operate a vehicle while taking narcotics or until cleared by your surgeon