You will need to be at the hospital at least two hours prior to your surgery time-unless otherwise informed by your doctor or hospital personnel. Please contact the hospital, as soon as possible, to give them your insurance information. Call the number listed below and ask for pre-admission.
URHCS 8th or 11th St. 940-764-5050, press 2
Surgery ChecklistKell West Hospital 940-692-5888
If you smoke, try to quit or cut down before surgery. People who do not smoke heal faster and have less pulmonary problems than people who smoke.DO NOT take any anti-inflammatory (Aspirin, Advil, Motriin, Celebrex, etc.), and/or blood thinners (Coumadin, Plavix, Lovenox, Heparin, etc.) for at leasts one week prior to surgery.They are great pain relievers after surgery, but they can increase bleeding before surgery.Discontinue all non-essential medications, including all herbs and natural products. Some of them can cause severe bleeding.DO NO FORGET TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT PREVIOUS DISEASES, SURGERIES, BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS OR SPECIAL NEEDS.Make arrangements for post-surgery recovery time off work, house cleaning, taking care of children, follow-appointments, etc.If you get a fever, cold, rash or an infection at any time before the day of your surgery, call the clinic immediately. Your surgery may need to be postponed.Make a list of any questions and/or concerns you may have to ask your doctor at your pre-op visit. Do not be afraid to ask questions about anything you do not understand.
Hair removal is not necessary, but if you are having vaginal surgery, please clip your genital hair with scissors.Shampoo your hair the day prior to surgery.
DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING AFTER MIDNIGHT THE NIGHT BEFORE YOUR SURGERY. This includes water, coffee, chewing gum and mints. If you eat or drink, your surgery will have to be cancelled. Please brush your teeth, however, spit everything out, do not swallow any liquids.Drink the Fleet Phospho Soda at 4:00 p.m. the day prior to your surgery. Do not leave your house afterwards, because you will have diarrhea.Have a clear liquid diet (water, tea, Sprite, 7-Up, broth, Jell-O, apple juice, Kool-Aid) the day prior to the surgery. Do not eat any solid or soft food, dairy products (milk, cheese, butter, yogurt) and juices with pulp.Give yourself a Fleet enema at 10:00 p.m. the night before your surgery. You can buy the enema at any drug store in town. Follow the instructions. (Refer to the enema box for specific instructions. Lie on your left side with your knees bent. Insert the tube of the disposable enema into the rectum. Gently squeeze the container until all of the fluid has been given. Remove the tube. Try to hold the fluid until the urge to have a bowel movement is strong, usually within 2 to 5 minutes)If you need a special bowel preparation, you will be given the instrutions separately.
If you do not take a shower the night before your surgery, please shower before leaving home.Give yourself a Betadine or medicated douche (you can buy this over the counter).Avoid use of make-up. Remove all hairpins, barrettes and wigs.Wear loose fitting clothing. Do not wear tight fitting jeans or pants.Leave jewelry and other valuables at home. Hospitals are usually not responsible for losses. If you do not wish to remove your wedding ring, tape it to your finger.Remove any of the following: contact lenses, glasses, dentures, bridges, hearing aids and tampons.If you are on routine medication for blood pressure, diabetes, heart problems, thyroid diseases, seizures, or any other chronic condition, check with your doctor as to whether or not you should take these medications on the morning of the surgery. If you do take medication (approved by your doctor) the morning of your surgery, take with very small sips of water.
You will recover from anesthesia in the recovery area. The length of time varies, but it is usually about 1 to 1 ½ hours. When you are fully awake, you will be taken to your room. Family members and/or friends are allowed to be with you in your room.General anesthesia may produce gas, shivering, nausea, vomiting, thirst, memory lapses, a sore throat or sore jaw.Your vital signs are checked frequently. You may still have the following: I.V. tube, other tubes that provide drainage, the urinary catheter, and the nasal tube for oxygen. These will be removed as soon as appropriate during the next few hours or days.You will be asked to breath deeply, cough and change your position in bed often. You may be given a special devise to help you exercise your lungs.If you are hurting, do not wait, ask the nurse for pain medication. The earlier you report the pain, the easier it is to relieve!The quicker you are out of bed (sitting on a chair, walking), the faster you will recover with fewer complications.Before you are released to go home, you will receive instructions on how to care for yourself while you heal. Ask any questions you may have and be sure to follow your post-operative instructions.Remember, recovery is a gradual process. Healing may take over a month, especially for major surgeries. Even if you are feeling well, do not over do it.After any type of surgery, because of immobility and pain medication, you may have some problems with bowel movements. Please make sure you drink plenty of water (at least 2 quarts a day). Eat high fiber foods (vegetables, bran cereals and fruits). Follow your written instructions for the use of over the counter medication for constipation.
