6 Tips to Help You Prepare for an Intense Surgery

July 27, 2023

If you’re facing upcoming major surgery, concerns are normal. You may fear pain or wonder how soon you can return to work. These tips can help you prepare yourself for these concerns.

1. Learn About Surgery

Once your doctor tells you about your surgery, you can begin to prepare for an easier recovery. If your insurance company allows it, get a second opinion. If you decide to have surgery, research the surgeon’s success rate. According to Wilson & Mc Queen, over 4,000 surgical errors are made annually in the USA.

Before surgery, ask the doctor what the surgery will be like; and how it will change your body. Be sure to review your medications and medical history with the surgeon. Tell them about herbal medicines you take because these can interact with other drugs.

Ask the surgeon how much pain to expect and what options will be used for pain relief. As part of your preparation, you can donate blood up to four weeks before the surgery. Shortly before surgery day, the hospital will schedule pre-op testing and pre-op labs.

2. Prepare Body and Mind

Although surgery may cause changes, you can prepare your body and mind before surgery. This preparation will give you a better chance for quick recovery after surgery. Since many surgeries result in limitations to your mobility, help yourself by taking regular walks before surgery.

Surgery also takes a toll on your lungs. If your surgery requires general anesthesia, it will reduce lung capacity. You can prepare your lungs for surgery by asking for a spirometer at your pre-op appointment.

3. Relaxation and Surgery Day

Many studies show mental health plays an essential role in physical health. Some of the best practices to ready yourself for surgery are relaxation exercises. After surgery, the most beneficial body chemicals are endorphins: your body’s natural painkillers. Studies show patients who use relaxation exercises before surgery have increased endorphin levels after surgery.

When you arrive at the hospital, you’ll receive a hospital identification bracelet. Your doctor will do a final review of your condition and your understanding of the surgery. If someone is with you, they can stay until the team takes you to the operating room.

4. After Surgery

After surgery, you may stay in the hospital for a few days. Your nurse will encourage you to wash your hands before caring for your surgical site. They’ll also help exercise your legs to prevent postoperative blood clots.

Friends and family may visit you after surgery. Visitors should check with hospital staff before sending flowers, as flowers are sometimes not permitted. For example, roses are not only popular for lovers. In addition to the 250 million roses given on Valentine’s Day 2019, roses are among the most popular flowers given to hospital patients.

5. Home Recovery

When you arrive home, your priority should be rest and healing. Follow your doctor’s orders for medication, diet, and activity. Now is a good time to institute healthy life changes – like a heart-healthy diet or quitting smoking.

If you’ve been prescribed painkillers after surgery, those medications can lead to constipation. Drink plenty of water, eat high-fiber foods, and request a laxative prescription. Increasing your mobility can also restore bowel regularity.

6. Disposal of Postop Medication

You may sometimes go home with narcotics or injected medications. It’s crucial to dispose of any needles you use safely. A coffee can is a good ‘sharps’ disposal.

Unused medications should never be flushed down the toilet. Flushing narcotics can indirectly contaminate drinking water. While you won’t create as much waste as a hospital, where noncompliance with regulations can result in fines as high as $37,500 daily, you should still follow local disposal regulations.

If you’re facing major surgery, your life is about to change. Before surgery, ask questions and do your research. By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to survive and thrive after surgery.