The
Process
Before Surgery
You will be given a sheet of instructions
for cleansing the colon (bowel). Call
our office between 1-3pm on the last
business day before your surgery to
determine when to come to the hospital.
Day of Surgery
On the day of surgery, report to the
surgicenter to register. A nurse will
take your vital signs (blood pressure,
pulse and temperature) and go through
a list of questions to ensure you are
ready for surgery. If your doctor or
anesthesiologist requires a chest x-ray
or EKG (heart tracing) and they were
not done as part of your preoperative
exam, you may have them done at the
hospital.
Then your family will be directed to
the surgical waiting room and you
will go to a preop room. An intravenous
(IV) line will be started to prevent
you from becoming dehydrated. It
will remain in place for several
days after your surgery until you
are able to take liquids by mouth.
You will receive medication to
relax you.
In the Operating Room
Once you are asleep, intravenous antibiotics
will be given to decrease the risk
of infection from surgery. A naso-gastric
(NG) tube is passed through your nose,
down your throat and into your stomach.
This tube removes secretions from your
stomach that may cause postoperative
nausea and vomiting. In most cases
the tube is removed before you wake
up.
The length of surgery varies from patient
to patient and is determined by the
general health of the patient and the
nature and complexity of the operation.
After
Surgery
Following surgery you will be taken
to the recovery room. Your physician
will meet your family after surgery
to discuss your condition.
Getting Ready for Surgery
To prepare for your surgery—
Do not eat or drink anything after
midnight the night before your surgery;
this includes water and chewing gum.
Continue to take medication as prescribed,
but with only a sip of water. Do not
take ibuprofen, aspirin or any medication
containing aspirin for one week before
your surgery.
Do not smoke after midnight the night
before your surgery.
Do not wear any make-up, especially
eye make-up.
Do not bring large sums of money, jewelry,
or credit cards.
If you wear contact lenses, bring the
case.
Do not wear artificial nails or nail
polish. Your nails are monitored during
surgery to identify oxygen and blood
circulation.
Bring a list with you of all medications
and their dosages.
Bring your insurance identification
cards.
Commonly Asked Questions
How long will I be in the hospital?
You will be in hospital for approximately
seven days.
How much pain will I have and how is
it managed? The incision does cause
pain. There are several alternatives
to manage the pain: an injection (hypodermic);
PCA (patient-controlled analgesic,
where the patient controls his/her
own pain medication through the IV);
and epidural catheter (analgesic is
administered through a catheter placed
into the epidural space of the spinal
column).
What
can I eat? You will start taking
liquids when the intestinal tract
is functioning (you pass gas). If
you tolerate liquids for one to two
days, you will get solid food. Before
then, you may be allowed ice chips.
What
kind of diet will I be on at home?
You will be on a fairly regular diet.
Will
it hurt to move my bowels? There
should be no pain.
How
soon can I exercise? You can walk,
bike, and swim as soon as you want
to, but there should be no upper
body exertion for one month.
What
medications will I need at home?
You may require pain medication.
You should resume your usual medications
if directed to do so by your doctor.
How
soon can I drive? You can usually
drive one week to ten days after
you leave the hospital.; You should
not get behind the drivers wheel
until you are pain free and off pain
medication.
When
can I go back to work? You can usually
go back to work three to four weeks
after surgery.
What
will I have to do at home? You will
be able to care for yourself, but
you may need some assistance with
cooking, housekeeping, and grocery
shopping.
Do
I need someone to stay with me at
home? It would be preferable to have
someone stay with you.
When
can I have sex? In most cases you
can resume sex after a few weeks.
Can
I swim in a pool or lake? Yes, you
can swim in either one.
If
your doctor is not available, a doctor
on call is available 24 hours a day,
every day of the year, including
holidays. After hours call any of
our offices and the answering service
will locate one of our doctors on
call. In an emergency try to contact
us for advice before you to the hospital.
A telephone call may save you a lot
of time, money, and discomfort.
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