SURGERY – PREPARING FOR A PROCEDURE
Preparing for surgery – Getting home after the procedure
- Have someone available to take you home, you will not be able to drive for at least 24 hours.
- Do Not drink or eat anything in the car on the trip home.
- The combination of anaesthesia, food, and car motion can quite often cause nausea or vomiting. After arriving home, wait until you are hungry before trying to eat.
- Begin with a light meal and try to avoid greasy food for the first 24 hours.
- If you had surgery on an extremity (leg, knee, hand or elbow), keep that extremity elevated and use ice as directed. This will help decrease swelling and pain.
- Take your pain medicine as directed. Begin the pain medicine as you start getting uncomfortable, but before you are in severe pain. If you wait to take your pain medication until the pain is severe, you will have more difficulty controlling the pain.
Preparing for surgery – What to bring to hospital?
- All scans relating to your procedure
- A list of your current medications
- A small bag of items in case you are required to stay overnight in hospital
- Something to keep you entertained (a book, iPad etc)
Preparing for surgery – Fasting
- Most procedures will require you to fast beforehand.
- You will receive a phone call from the hospital the day before your operation to advise you of any fasting required, as well as the time of your operation.
Preparing for surgery – Medications
- Prior to your surgery, you will most likely be required to stop any medications that cause bleeding.
- Please ensure that you inform Dr Tewari of all your medications that you take. Without this information and the correct steps being taken, the surgery may be delayed or rescheduled.
Preparing for surgery – Time off work
- You will require an amount of time off work, school, and possibly driving following your surgery.
- The amount of time required differs depending on the nature of your procedure and will be discussed with you at the time of your consultation.
- We will provide you with a medical certificate if required.
- Do not drive on any day that you are taking strong pain medication.
SURGERY – Anaesthetic
What do I need to know about Anaesthetic?
Most surgical procedures require anaesthesia to be given and this can be a new and scary experience for children and adults. The below link “Royal College of Anaesthetists” will provide you with all the information you need to know regarding anaesthesia for children and adults.
AFTER SURGERY
AFTER SURGERY – Post-operative period
- After surgery in the hospital – Dr. Tewari will review you in the hospital following the operation. He will assess your wounds and discuss any operative findings with you.
- Tewari will review you and ensure you are fit to be discharged home and ensure an effective discharge plan is created.
- Recovery periods depend on the type of operation you are having and differ between each individual.
- For most operations, a post operative appointment will be scheduled with Dr Tewari in the rooms.
- This post operative appointment tends to be 6 – 8 weeks post the surgery.
- We will also encourage patients to follow allied health advice during this time including post-operative physiotherapy and occupational therapy as appropriate.
- If at any stage you are concerned about any part of your recovery, please contact the rooms immediately.
- If it is outside of business hours, please present to the Emergency Department of your nearest hospital.
need to know more?
Our friendly team can provide you with more information and how to make an appointment with Dr Tewari.