Surgical procedures can be performed at a hospital, an outpatient surgery center or your doctor’s office. If you choose outpatient surgery, make sure the facility is licensed and has emergency procedures in place.
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Before your surgery, you may be asked to take certain steps. These can include showering the night before or day of your procedure, washing the area with antiseptic soap, and/or receiving blood tests to check how well your organs are working. You may also be asked to stop taking medications that affect your blood’s ability to clot (such as coumadin, aspirin, heparin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs). Your doctor will give you specific instructions about what to do and when.
The nursing staff in the surgical prep room works together with your surgeon and anesthesiologist to promote patient preparedness and safety. They will begin the process by reviewing your medical history and determining whether you need any additional tests or vaccinations. They will then prepare you for your surgery and anesthesia by explaining the risks and benefits of the procedure, discussing the type of anesthesia you’ll receive, getting your informed consent, and answering any questions you may have.
When you arrive, a member of the team will greet you in the pre-operative area and ask to see your picture ID. They will then put an ID bracelet around your wrist and ask you to state your name and date of birth. They will then show you to a private room where you’ll change into a hospital gown and paper slippers. You may be asked to remove any jewelry or piercings. You’ll be given a warm blanket.
If you’re having a surgical procedure, you will be brought to the operating room or PACU (post-anesthesia care unit). Before your surgery, the anesthesiologist will discuss the type of anesthesia you’ll receive and obtain informed consent from you. You’ll be given a sedative to help you relax and a breathing tube will be placed into your throat. The anesthesiologist will monitor you during your surgery and recovery to make sure you’re safe and comfortable.
After your surgery, you’ll get discharge instructions for how to recover at home, including activity restrictions, medication instructions, dietary guidelines, wound care and follow-up appointment information. Be sure to bring someone to drive you home — anesthesia and pain medicines can impair your reaction time.
Procedure
A surgical procedure is a medical treatment performed on humans (and sometimes on animals), and can be used for diagnostic, therapeutic, reconstructive or cosmetic purposes. It can involve the removal of abnormal tissue, foreign objects or diseased organs; repairing damage to tissues, organs or blood vessels; relieving pain and pressure from congenital conditions, injuries or diseases; correcting problems with eyesight (e.g., cataracts or glaucoma); or removing body fat, glands, scars or other unwanted material.
Surgery involves a great deal of physical trauma to the body, and requires anesthesia to prevent pain during the procedure. Typically, anesthesiologists administer local or regional anesthesia (such as a spinal block) or general anesthesia, allowing the person to remain awake but insensitive to pain. Before surgery, people may be advised to remove jewelry and other items that could interfere with anesthesia or that pose a risk of injury during the operation. They may also be told not to eat or drink anything for several hours or overnight before the procedure.
People should always receive full, accurate information about the potential risks and benefits of a surgical procedure before agreeing to it. This process is called informed consent, and it ensures that the patient genuinely understands and freely consents to the treatment. Informed consent is more important for some populations than others, including incarcerated persons, people living with dementia, mentally incompetent people, and people subject to coercion.
Before a person undergoes surgery, their doctor will explain the procedure in detail and describe the type of anesthesia that will be used. The person will be asked to sign a consent form, indicating that they understand the details of the surgery and that they are voluntarily giving their consent. This is especially important for people undergoing life-saving surgeries, such as coronary bypass operations or cesarean sections (c-sections), in which a person’s health and safety may depend on their ability to give informed consent. In some cases, a person who cannot give his or her own informed consent will be given consent by a legal representative or other authorized person.
Recovery
Whether you have an outpatient surgery that allows you to go home the same day or an inpatient procedure with a hospital stay, your recovery process will follow some important steps. These begin immediately after your operation.
Pain is a normal part of your healing journey. It is important to tell your surgeon about any changes in pain levels or how it affects your daily activities, including eating and sleeping. Medicines can help manage your pain. These medicines may include acetaminophen (Tylenol), anti-inflammatory medications or stronger drugs, like morphine.
Infection is a common problem after surgery. Your doctor will give you antibiotics to prevent infection. If you develop a fever, chills or cough, contact your doctor right away. If an infection occurs, your doctor may change the medication you take or order a different treatment.
Fluid build-up around the surgical site is another complication of surgery. This fluid can make breathing difficult, especially if it collects in the chest area. To prevent this, your doctor will insert drains that you will need to monitor and empty. You will be taught how to do this at a clinic visit 3-7 days after surgery.
Discomfort is also normal and will vary in intensity. Your upper body will feel stiff and sore and your chest will feel tight to the touch. It is important to tell your surgeon about your discomfort so they can prescribe the most appropriate medicines for you.
You should be able to eat and drink as soon as you are comfortable, but it is important to hydrate regularly. It is a good idea to try to eat foods high in protein, such as yogurt, kefir milk or a nutritional supplement such as Ensure or Boost High Protein. You may also have some constipation from the anesthesia and pain medication. To avoid this, chew on some gum or suck on a hard candy to stimulate your bowel movements.
Exercise is an important part of your recovery. Even light activity, such as walking, can improve circulation and speed up the healing process. It is important to speak with your doctor about the type of exercise that is safe for you.
Post-operative care
The post-operative care a patient receives immediately after an operation is critical to the success of his or her recovery. It may take place in the hospital, at home, or in a rehabilitation facility. Post-operative care is designed to control pain, promote healing and prevent problems. The type of post-operative care a patient receives will depend on the surgery and his or her medical health history.
The perioperative process encompasses the entire time a patient is contemplating surgery, through the hospital admission and recovery. It requires an extensive team of healthcare professionals, including surgeons, anaesthetists and geriatricians.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, perioperative services were disrupted and patients experienced delays in accessing elective surgeries. As a result, some patients experienced deterioration in their coexisting conditions and mental health, missed opportunities to diagnose new conditions and developed deconditioning.
This deterioration and the subsequent delay in surgery led to an increased risk of cancellation of surgery, poor postoperative outcomes and adverse healthcare experiences. The impact on the patient is long-term and can result in a loss of function and independence.
In addition, it can lead to an increase in healthcare costs and lead to the development of a post-discharge care burden for patients and their families. To help address these issues, a multidisciplinary prehabilitation clinic — the Center for Perioperative Care (CPC) — has been developed to assess and manage patients who are at high-risk for complications associated with non-emergency surgical procedures. The CPC offers a “surgical pause” for these patients, mitigating their risks to improve outcomes or, if necessary, referring them to safer non-surgical approaches.
After a patient is discharged from the hospital, he or she must continue to see his or her medical doctor for follow-up appointments and medication management. It is also important for patients to follow dietary recommendations and engage in the recommended level of physical activity. It is recommended that a patient’s family members monitor him or her for any signs of complications or side effects.
In addition to reducing anxiety, improving a patient’s quality of life and fostering their general well-being, postoperative care can help people regain their lives by helping them return to work and daily activities. It can also assist in reducing the burden placed on family members who often provide postoperative care, such as bathing and cooking.