PREP FOR SURGERY
It is important that patients follow these guidelines in preparing
for surgery.
The Night Before Surgery
1. Food and liquids in the stomach can
cause serious complications and your surgery could be cancelled or
postponed. IF YOU ARE HAVING A COLONOSCOPY PROCEDURE,
PLEASE FOLLOW YOUR PHYSICIAN?S SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE BOWEL
PREPARATION, EATING AND DRINKING. IF YOUR PHYSICIAN HAS INSTRUCTED
YOU TO HAVE NOTHING TO EAT OR DRINK AFTER MIDNIGHT, PLEASE ADHERE TO
HIS/HER INSTRUCTIONS. Otherwise the
following instructions apply:
- You may eat up until 6 hours before your scheduled surgery.
- After that you may drink clear
liquids up until 2 hours before your
scheduled surgery. Clear liquids
include tea, apple juice, water, broth
and coffee WITHOUT cream and/or sugar.
- IF YOU DO NOT FOLLOW THESE
INSTRUCTIONS, YOUR SURGERY MAY BE
CANCELLED OR DELAYED.
(Solids include chewing gum, breath mints, candy, coffee with cream
and/or sugar, beverages that you cannot see through ? such as orange
juice, tomato juice and milk.)
These instructions will be given to you during your Pre-Operative
phone call (about 2-4 days before your procedure date, excluding
weekends and holidays.) If you do not receive a Pre-Operative phone
call, please call the Surgery Center (929-7229) and ask to talk with
the Pre-Op nurse.
If your child is the patient, please be careful to enforce the
eating and drinking limits.
Please limit the use of alcohol and tobacco for 24 hours prior to
your surgery.
2. If you are taking medications for high blood pressure,
diabetes or nervous disorders contact the Greater Sacramento Surgery
Center for more information.
3. If you develop a cold, fever or respiratory infection prior
to surgery, please call your doctor and the surgery center at
929-7229.
4. For women, if there is any possibility that you are
pregnant, please notify your surgeon.
The Morning of Surgery
5. Arrive promptly at the time scheduled. This will allow
adequate time for all necessary admission procedures.
6. Bathe or shower the morning of surgery. If you shampoo your
hair, be sure it is dry. Do not use hair spray.
7. Do not apply makeup, especially mascara. This includes
lipstick.
8. Wear loose, comfortable clothing with low heeled shoes.
9. Remove all jewelry, including but not limited to: rings,
body piercing jewelry (regardless of location) and decorative hair
beads. Leave jewelry and all other valuables at home.
10. Bring a list of medications and the dosages that you take.
11. Please bring the following items:
Prior to Surgery
12. If you wear glasses, contacts or dentures bring your
container to store them in.
13. You will be asked to sign a surgical consent form prior to
any medication being given. In the case of a minor, this form must be
signed by a parent or legal guardian.
14. If your child is having surgery, please leave other
children at home so that you can be free to be with your child in the
pre and post operative areas.
15. You will not be allowed to drive home or take a taxi
following surgery unless you have had only local anesthetic
infiltration for your procedure. Arrange for a responsible friend or
relative to drive you home. If you must take a taxi home you will be
required to have a friend or relative accompany you.
Following Surgery
16. Do not drive or sign important papers until the day
following your surgery.
17. Do not operate machinery, power tools, or appliances until
the day following your surgery.
18. Do not make critical decisions until the day following
your surgery.
19. Do not drink alcoholic beverages until the day following
your surgery.
20. Your surgeon will provide post operative instructions
regarding diet, rest and medications. In the event of any difficulty,
call your surgeon or his answering service. If you think you need
urgent help, call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency room.
WHEN YOU LEAVE THE GREATER SACRAMENTO SURGERY CENTER, YOU MAY NOTICE
THAT YOU STILL MAY BE SOMEWHAT DROWSY OR NAUSEATED. These are
symptoms, depending on your procedure and your anesthetic, that are
not uncommon and may last for up to 24 hours following surgery.
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT YOU WILL NOT FEEL 100% NORMAL WHEN YOU LEAVE THE
RECOVERY ROOM. Recovery continues in the comfort of your home.
Therefore, it is important to stress that you have a responsible
party at home to assist you for the first 24 hours and be sure to
follow your doctor?s orders regarding diet, rest and medication. You
will be given
written post operative instructions and our patient satisfaction
questionnaire. Please take a moment following your surgery in the
comfort of your home to fill out this questionnaire so that we may
continue to learn where our strengths are and where we may continue
to improve our services to you.
A recovery room nurse will contact you within 4 days following your
surgery. Please let the admitting nurse know if you do not plan on
recovering at home for that initial 4 days. If you are staying with a
friend or relative, please leave their phone number with the nurse so
we will be able to reach you. This phone call will answer any
questions that you may have about your recovery and further assure us
that all is going well.
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