BEFORE AND AFTER SURGERY

Many things can be done before and after surgery to help prepare for and recover from surgery. Be sure to follow all instructions from the healthcare provider.

Before surgery be sure to:

Ask about taking any medicine in the weeks before and after surgery. Some medicines may have to be stopped. In many cases, aspirin or other non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), cold remedies, or other over-the-counter drugs should not be taken without approval of the provider.
Ask about smoking. It is generally recommended that all smoking be stopped 1 week before surgery. Even if smoking cannot be stopped for 1 week, there are benefits to stopping for 24 hours before surgery. Restarting smoking should be delayed as long as possible after surgery. Smoking slows blood flow to the healing tissues and can increase the risk of lung problems
Check with the provider about alcohol use. It is generally recommended that alcohol be stopped before surgery and for 1 week after.
Caffeine may have to be stopped before surgery. The patient will also be advised to not eat any food or drink any fluids, including water, for several hours before the surgery.
Ask about exercising in the weeks before and after surgery. Exercise can build strength for healing, but may not be advisable in some cases.
Ask about supplies that will be needed for recovery at home. It is a good idea to have the needed supplies ready ahead of time. Some people also gather books, games, or hobby supplies.
Make plans to get lots of rest before and after surgery. Healing may require several days to several weeks. Many people cook and freeze meals ahead of time or find help with housekeeping during the recovery period.
Ask about the amount of bruising, swelling, scarring, and pain to expect after surgery. This will vary from person to person and the type of surgery. Having an estimate gives a guideline for judging the healing process.

Anesthesia will be given by a doctor (anesthesiologist) or nurse (nurse anesthetist), who will see the patient before surgery and ask several questions. These may include: medications, allergies, dentures or loose teeth, the kind and location of surgery, previous problems with anesthesia, and other medical problems. The perioperative nurse will also visit a few minutes before the surgery and ask the same questions.

General anesthesia side effects that can occur after surgery include:

nausea and vomiting
headache
dry mouth
temporary loss of memory
lingering tiredness
shivering and trembling with or without feeling cold
blurred or double vision
muscle pain
dizziness
sore throat or hoarseness and
nightmares or unusual dreams

The provider should be called if any of the following symptoms begin within 2 weeks of having a general anesthetic:

unable to urinate
severe headache
pain in the abdomen
back or leg pain
severe nausea
bloody or coffee ground looking vomit
unusual weakness or tiredness
weakness in the wrist or fingers
weight loss or loss of appetite
increase or decrease in the amount of urine
pale skin
yellow color to the whites of the eyes
any bleeding
fever ( temperature by mouth over 100 degrees Fahrenheit [37.8 degrees Centigrade]) or
increase in pain

The surgeon will give instructions on care of the incision. Other ways to care for the incision include:

protect it from injury
avoid using lotion, perfume, or ointment near that area unless told otherwise
check the skin around the incision often and
report new redness, soreness, tenderness, or drainage

Follow-up appointments will be scheduled after surgery to check the recovery process.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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