Surgery Preparation
When you schedule a consultation with your surgeon, they’ll likely provide a list of preparatory guidelines. They’ll instruct you on the type of medications you can or can’t have before the procedure, ask you to stop smoking for a few weeks, and provide other preparatory guidelines. Besides following those guidelines accurately, you must take specific measures to ensure you have a successful procedure with a smooth and convenient recovery.
This article provides a detailed overview of what you should (or shouldn’t) do before, during, and after the surgery.
Before Surgery
- Inform your surgeon about your history of medications and ongoing medications. If they ask you to stop taking certain medications, you must follow their advice. For example, certain medications, such as anti-inflammatory drugs, increase the risk of bleeding after the surgery, affecting your recovery.
- For outpatient procedures performed under local or general anesthesia, you must arrange to have someone drive you back home. You should also ask a relative or friend to spend the first 48 hours with you to help around the house.
- Stock up your home with at least two weeks of groceries, medications, and all other essential items. You must limit your activities after the surgery, allowing you to recover effectively. As such, you should be prepared with everything you’ll need during the recovery process.
- Smoking aggravates the lungs, negatively impacts the surgery, increases your risk of bleeding, and weakens your body’s ability to heal. As such, you must stop smoking several weeks before the procedure to ensure a smooth treatment and recovery.
Day of Surgery
- In most cases, you shouldn’t eat or drink anything at least six hours before your procedure. A good rule of thumb is to avoid eating anything post-midnight.
- Don’t wear jewelry or constrictive clothing when you go for the procedure. Instead, wear loose-fitting clothes that you can comfortably wear after the surgery.
- Bring a container for your eyeglasses, contact lenses, and cellphones, etc.
- Reach the medical center on time to avoid delays and ensure you have sufficient time to prepare for the surgery.
- While you’re led to the surgical area, ask your accompanying relatives or friends to stay in the waiting room. They’ll need to drive you back once you’re done.
Day After Surgery
- You’ll be moved to the recovery room after the surgery, where you’ll be monitored for potential complications.
- Once you’re ready to be sent home, you can have your friend drive you back.
- You must rest and avoid all activities for the first 24 hours.
- If the surgery is performed on your neck or head, you should lie down with your head inclined on several pillows. The treatment area should always be slightly elevated.
- Take the prescribed pain medications according to the given timeline. It’s better to take the medicines before you experience pain rather than trying to control it later.
- Place ice packs over the treatment areas to reduce swelling.
The Recovery Process
The recovery process is different for different procedures and individuals. Depending on the invasiveness and severity of the surgery, the recovery may take a day or several weeks. You should follow the surgeon’s advice through every step of the recovery process. Listen to your body, and don’t force yourself into regular activities and work. Most surgeries require you to take a week off work, though the specific duration depends on the surgical procedure. You should also avoid strenuous activities and vigorous activities until you’ve recovered completely. Contact us if anything feels off, such as sudden pains or excessive bleeding.