Preparing for Surgery/Procedure

Once you and Prof. Senapati decide that surgery will help you, you'll need to learn what to expect from the surgery and create a treatment plan for the best results afterward. Preparing mentally and physically for surgery is an important step toward a successful result. Understanding the process and your role in it will help you recover more quickly and have fewer problems.

Working with Your Doctor

Before surgery, your surgeon will give you a complete physical examination to make sure you don't have any conditions that could interfere with the surgery or its outcome. Routine tests, such as blood tests and X-rays, are usually performed a week before the surgery.

Discuss any medications you are taking with your doctor and your family physician to see which ones you should stop taking before surgery.

If you are taking aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications, you will need to stop taking them one week before surgery to minimise bleeding.

Preparing for Procedure

If you are having Day Surgery, remember the following:

• 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.
• 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.

Home Planning

• Arrange for someone to help out with everyday tasks like cooking, shopping and laundry.
• Put items that you use often within easy reach before surgery, so you won't have to reach and bend as often.
• Remove all loose carpets and tape down electrical cords to avoid falls.
• Make sure you have a stable chair with a firm seat cushion, a firm back and two arms.