The number of people requiring surgeries for various ailments is on the rise. These surgeries put immense financial, emotional and psychological burden not only on the patient but on the family as well. It is scary when you do not know what to expect. But with a sense of preparedness and peace of mind, the chance of a successful outcome increases.
Of course, your doctor will give you some tips before your surgery and you need to follow those religiously. But here are a few more tips that you should consider such as:
- Learn about the surgery: The great aspect of living in an information age is that knowledge is readily available so why not make use of it. Each and every surgery is comprehensively described somewhere on the internet. Google for some information as it will help you to know what to expect. Also, ask your doctor or surgeon any questions and concerns you may have before, during, and after your hospital experience.
- Seek a second opinion: If you have any doubts, seek a second opinion from another well-respected surgeon. You can even talk to other people who have had a similar surgery procedure.
- Keep your doctor informed: Tell your doctor about your medical conditions and health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, dental work, lung disease, or any allergies. Also, keep your doctor informed about the medications (any presecription and over-the-counter drugs) and supplements (such as ginseng, fish oils, ginko bilboa, vitamins etc) that you take as some can lead to side effects during surgery.
- Plan ahead: Make appointments and schedule all of the preliminary tests recommended by your doctor. Sometimes surgeons require you to donate blood before the surgery (at least four weeks before the operation), so that they can transfuse your own blood back into you, if needed.
- Be the best of your health: Eat a nutritious diet, get regular exercise and get enough sleep. You want to be as healthy as possible before surgery so that you can recover faster after surgery. Being overweight increases risk for complications, so lose weight when you can, but don't start dieting if your surgery is less than a month away. Also, if you have sleep apnea (often associated with being overweight) tell your anesthesiologist as you may need a special anesthesia plan to help you breathe during surgery.
- Stop smoking: Smoking increases the risk of serious complications with any surgery. It raises blood pressure, makes the heart beat faster, narrows the coronary arteries and smaller blood vessels, and makes more mucus in the lungs. So you must stop smoking at whatever cost. It's best to try to stop at least two weeks before surgery.
- Limit alcohol intake: Tell your doctor about how much and how often you drink. Alcohol can cause excessive bleeding and liver damage, and have unpredictable effects on anesthesia. Stop drinking or limit your alcohol intake to reduce your risk of postsurgical complications.
- Check with your health insurance provider: Your health insurance policy may require you to get pre-authorization. The hospital may take care of this for you, but you want to make sure that all the insurance requirements are met before surgery.
- Pack the items you would be requiring at the hospital: If it is a more than 2-3 day procedure, you may require the following items: Insurance card, additional clothes, slippers, tissues, toothpaste, shampoo and grooming items. Pack them in a bag so that on the day of surgery, you don't have to run around. Do not carry any jewelry or other expensive items.
- Plan your rehabilitation: Rehabilitation process is necessary for better health. Don't view the recovery period as time lost, but rather as time to recuperate and rest. Plan ahead what you would be doing in that period.
- Arrange for help: Arrange for someone to be with you, to take you to the hospital and take you back home and especially be there for the first week after you go home from the hospital.
- Prefer liquids on the night before surgery: You should stop eating any solid foods after midnight before your surgery. Clear liquids can usually be continued, but it is better to follow your doctor's instructions about when to stop eating or drinking before your surgery.
- Pray: And finally, don't forget to pray before the surgery. Not just for you but also for your surgical team and your family. Make sure that your life insurance documents, if any, are in place.
It is very easy to prepare oneself for any major procedure or surgery especially when one is informed.
