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Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery. You will have an appointment with your surgeon before your surgery. Take along a list of questions about the surgery to help you understand your treatment. Talk to your surgeon about any concerns you have about the surgery. Your surgeon will explain why you need the surgery, what it will involve, what its risks and expected outcomes are, and how long it will take you to recover. You may also want to ask about treatments you might try other than surgery. Talk to your surgeon about what kinds of surgery you've had in the past. Describe your recovery period, and be sure to mention any problems you may have had. Describe any health problems you have, such as: It's important to tell your doctor about any tobacco, alcohol, illegal drugs, or medicines you use. This includes over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements, such as St. John's wort and diet aids. Your use of substances or medicines may affect your reaction to anesthesia or pain medicines. Talk about any physical restrictions you have, such as an artificial joint or limited range of motion of your neck, arms, or legs. Let your doctor know if you have any metal implants or fragments in your body. Tell your surgeon if you are or might be pregnant. Most surgery centers and hospitals also have a before-surgery form for you to fill out. This form usually includes questions about your past and current health. This information helps the surgical team prepare for your surgery. You most likely will complete the form 1 to 3 days before your surgery. Before surgery, you may have an exam or tests. These tests are to make sure that surgery isn't likely to be too hard on you. The tests may include: You may also be scheduled for other tests if your surgeon thinks you need them before your surgery. These may include X-rays or an electrocardiogram (EKG). Your surgeon may want to include other doctors in your care, depending on your other medical conditions. For example, if you have heart problems, your surgeon may discuss your care with a cardiologist. If you know before surgery that you might need a blood transfusion during your surgery, you may wish to donate your own blood. This has to be done several weeks before your surgery. Before your surgery, your surgeon or nurse will remind you to do these things: When you arrive for your surgery, your nurse will: Your nurse will also explain to you what will happen and will reassure you to help you stay calm. The nurse may go over a pain scale. This may be used to help see how you are doing after surgery. If you have any last-minute questions, ask to discuss them with your surgeon. Your surgeon or the surgical team may also give you some information on what will happen after surgery. You may learn if you'll have special equipment, like a urinary catheter or wound drains. The nurse will have you: Just before surgery, the nurse will give you any medicines ordered by your surgery team, such as: The nurse may also give you an intravenous (I.V.) line in your arm or hand, if ordered by your surgeon or anesthesiologist. This gives you fluids and medicines before, during, and after your surgery. A special surgical team helps the surgeon with your surgery. This team usually includes: In university or teaching hospitals, doctors with different levels of surgical training may watch or help with your surgery. But your surgeon will be in charge. The surgical team is trained to provide you with safe care during your surgery. Before the surgical team starts your surgery, the team members will double-check your name. They'll check what type of surgery you are there for and what part of your body is to be operated on. If you are having general anesthesia, a breathing tube (endotracheal tube) is placed in your windpipe. Or a special airway (laryngeal mask airway, or LMA) is placed in the back of your throat. These things help you breathe during the surgery. The place on your skin where the incision will be is washed with a special liquid to remove bacteria. All tools used during your surgery are sterilized to reduce your risk of infection. Pain control is an important concern. Near the end of your surgery, your surgeon may inject a long-acting pain medicine at the site of your surgery. It will ease your pain for 6 to 12 hours after surgery. Right after surgery, you will be taken to a recovery area where nurses will care for and observe you. A nurse will check your vital signs and bandages. He or she will also ask about your pain level. When you wake up, you may have a small tube just below your nose that supplies oxygen to your lungs. You will most likely stay in the recovery area for 1 to 4 hours. Then you'll be moved to a hospital room or you'll go home. You may get medicine or fluids through your vein (intravenous, or I.V.) while you are in the hospital. The most common problems right after surgery are pneumonia, bleeding, infection, bruising or blood clotting (hematoma) at the surgery site, trouble urinating, and reactions to the anesthesia. In the first 48 hours after surgery, the most likely risks are bleeding and problems with your heart or lungs. From 48 hours to 30 days after surgery, the most common risks are infection, blood clots, and problems with other body organs, such as a urinary tract infection. Another concern is pain control. Inflammation or nerve injury from the surgery can cause pain. Your doctor may give you more than one medicine for pain. Often opioids are given. In some cases, you may use a pain pump so that it's easy to get pain medicine right when you need it. Anesthesia can have side effects. Two of the most unpleasant ones are nausea and constipation. Nausea will soon wear off. But constipation can leave you uncomfortable for several days after your surgery. You may get a medicine to help you move your bowels. In most cases, before you can go home after surgery, your doctors and nurses will make sure that: You may meet most of the criteria to go home, but you may not be able to do certain things well enough to go home. In this case, you may go to a skilled nursing or rehabilitation facility instead of to your home. Nurses and rehabilitation specialists at the facility can help you work toward getting home. After surgery, you will most likely go home with a sheet of instructions. You'll learn who to contact if you have a problem. You may need to arrange for any care you will need when you go home. This may include nursing care or visits from other health care workers. Your instructions will include: Your home-care instructions will include how to take care of your incision. They will explain: Call a doctor if any of the following occur during self-care at home: Current as of: October 24, 2024 Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff Current as of: October 24, 2024 Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff Clinical Review Board This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Ignite Healthwise, LLC, visit webmdignite.com. © 2024 Ignite Healthwise, LLC.Topic Contents
Surgery: What to Expect
Overview
Before Surgery
Tests before surgery
Preparing for
surgery
Just before
surgery
Learn more
During Surgery
Anesthesia
Keeping things sterile
Pain control
In the recovery area
Learn more
After Surgery
Concerns after
surgery
Returning
home
Home care
instructions
When to call for help
during self-care
Learn more
Related Information
Credits
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.