Preparing for Surgery

Surgery can be a stressful and disruptive time in your life. Here are some hints on how to best prepare for your surgery so you can be at your best, both physically and mentally.

What should I expect before my surgery?

Prior to your surgery, the pre-admission clinic at North Bay Regional Health Centre will book an appointment with you. This will either be done at the pre-admission clinic at the hospital or may be done over the phone. During this appointment the nurse will gather health information from you and give you information about what to expect before/after surgery and answer any questions you may have. At this time, you may also have blood tests, an electrocardiogram, or any consultations with any other physicians as requested by your surgeon.

What should I bring to my pre-admission clinic appointment?

Your health care card
All of the medication that you take, both prescription and non-prescription. You also may bring a complete medication list prepared by your pharmacy.
Any insurance information from extended health insurance plans such as policy numbers and identification numbers.
Name and contact information for an emergency contact and for your power of attorney.

What can I do to best prepare myself for surgery?

There are many things that you can do to help prepare yourself for surgery.

Research your surgery. Make sure you are informed about your surgery and all your questions have been answered.
Stay as active as possible before your surgery. This will keep your body healthy prior to surgery.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Good nutrition can help the healing process.
If you are overweight, try to lose weight. Being a healthy weight reduces your chances of post-operative complications and speeds up healing.
If you smoke, try to quit. If you cannot quit, try to reduce the amount you smoke leading up to surgery. Smoking irritates your lungs increasing your chances of breathing problems. Smoking also increases your chances of wound complications. If you need assistance quitting, please speak to your surgeon’s office.
Continue to take all prescribed medications unless instructed by your surgeon or pre-admission clinic.

What can I do to help prepare myself for leaving the hospital?

You will need a responsible adult to pick you up from the hospital and drive you home following your surgery. You are considered legally impaired for 24 hours following a general anesthetic.
Involve your family members and friends to help you in your immediate recovery time with activities like childcare, cooking, cleaning, and grocery shopping.
Plan ahead for meals, if possible.

Instructions for prior to surgery:

Please arrive to the Day Surgery unit (level 3) at the North Bay Hospital at the time specified.
Eating and Drinking: Nothing to eat after midnight the night before the surgery. This includes all solid food, gum and candy. You may drink clear fluids (apple juice, water, black coffee or tea) up to 4 hours before your surgery.
Do not smoke or drink alcohol for at least 24 hours prior to your surgery. If you need help quitting let your surgeon know and they can recommend programs or aids.
For all surgeries you will need to shower the night before using special soap called chlorhexidine gluconate. You can purchase it at most pharmacies, from the hospital’s gift shop, or hospital pharmacy. Avoid getting it in the eyes, ears, mouth, or genitals. Further information about this will be provided at your preadmission appointment.
Do not shave the area where you are having surgery for at least 7 days prior to surgery.
Follow the instructions from your pre-admission nurse about taking medications the day of surgery. If you are taking medications, make sure you take them with a small sip of water.
Do not wear perfume, make-up, or nail-polish when coming to the hospital
Please remove all jewelry and piercings before coming to surgery

What should I bring to the hospital on the day of surgery?

All patients should bring these items to the hospital (day surgery and admitted patients):

Bring your health card
Hearing aid, dentures, and eyeglasses, along with their protective cases labelled with your name and phone number.
Any walking aids, such as walkers, or canes labelled with your name and phone number.
Any new medications that you have been started on since your pre-admission clinic appointment.

If you are admitted overnight, we also recommend that you bring these items:

Any supplemental insurance benefit cards or drug plan cards.
Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, brush, soap, shampoo etc.)
Lip and skin moisturizer (hospital air is dry)
Housecoat / robe
Socks, and comfortable shoes/slippers with gripping soles
Chewing gum, if you are having colorectal surgery

What should I leave at home?

All valuables, such as jewelry and watches
Large amounts of cash
Large pieces of electrical equipment

What to expect after surgery?

After surgery you need a responsible adult to drive you home as you will not be able to drive or operate heavy machinery for 24 hours following a general anesthetic.
Do not drink any alcohol for 24 hours.
Do not take any sleeping medications, sedatives, or tranquillizers.

This information is a general guideline for post- operative care after surgery, please speak to your surgeon or the pre-admission clinic about any specific instructions.

Incision: If you have any incisions following your surgery it is important to keep them clean and dry. They may be closed either with sutures or staples. Dissolvable sutures are typically used. If dissolvable sutures are not used, your surgeon will instruct you otherwise. If staples are used, they need to be removed within 2 weeks. Your surgeon will give you instructions on where to have them removed or call the office to make arrangements. There may also be some steri-strips. These will naturally start to loosen and fall off between 1 and 2 weeks. They can be removed carefully after 2 weeks. Immediately after surgery there may be a dressing over these incisions. This dressing may be removed 24-48 hours after surgery.
Pain: There may be pain from the incision and surrounding area. Do not be alarmed if you are feeling pain from an area that does not appear to be directly under the incision. Your throat may also be sore for the first 48 hours after surgery. You may be prescribed something for pain; or alternatively you may also take Tylenol 650mg every 4 hours.
Diet: Immediately after surgery you may feel nauseated. Start by drinking small amounts of clear liquid. If you do not feel nauseated, you may return to a normal diet. Ensure you are drinking enough fluids to prevent constipation. If you are concerned about constipation you can use a stool softener.
Activity: Speak to your surgeon about any activity limitations following surgery. Your surgeon can also give you a guideline on when you can return to work and regular activities. You may return to driving when you are no longer on pain killers and can comfortably use the gas / brake pedals and shoulder check.
Hygiene: Unless you have been instructed otherwise, after the bandage has been removed it is ok to shower. Do not scrub or rub the incision area and carefully pat dry after showering. The incision does not require a dressing and can be open to the air. If you do apply a dressing over it, ensure it is clean and dry. Do not soak in the bathtub until the incisions are fully healed. Usually after 3 weeks. Do not put powder, cream, makeup, deodorants or perfumes on the incisions.

Follow-up with your surgeon

Your surgeon will give you instructions on when you should follow-up with them. Please call your surgeon or report to the Emergency Department if you experience:

Rapid increase in swelling or bruising in the first 24 hours after surgery
Fever
Pus or increased drainage from the incision
Pain that is not relieved with medication

NORTH BAY GENERAL SURGERY