Undergoing surgery can be a daunting event of your life. Making you feel relaxed, comfortable and confident prior to your surgery is always your general surgeon top priority. While it is completely okay and normal to feel anxious, fearful or nervous before going under the needle, you can still take a couple of measures to prepare yourself before surgery.
Ask the Right Questions
Never shy away from asking for more detailed information whenever you are headed for an operation regardless of its nature. If you yourself feel hesitant to do that, make sure your spouse or someone close by is able to ask for all important questions on your behalf. Here are a number of common questions to start with.
- How Qualified my Surgeon is?
Believe me or not this should be the first question on your list. You do not have to be modest and steer away your health in the hands of an amateur surgeon. You can openly ask about your surgeon’s experience. You can also look for third party opinins and reviews. For example, if you are going for some major surgery, asking around about the doctor will help you give a better idea of what procedures, expenses and medication cycles are to follow you ahead.
- Is the facility well-equipped?
If you are having a surge in hospital make sure to check their reviews, infrastructure, their equipment and how well have they been catering surgeries prior to you. Many government hospitals despite having a good team of doctors lack in their equipment and emergency infrastructure. This becomes even more important if you are having surgery outside the hospital. It is always better to see if the clinic is licensed and properly authorized for performing such surgeries or not. Make sure to see the right procedures, equipment and medication are available within the facility.
- Are there any surprise medical bills involved?
Of course undergoing surgery will involve expensive services. Not only will you be paying doctors’ bills in some cases you will also be paying hospital or clinic charges. Ensure that your insurance coverage is applicable to you before you undergo any surgery. This is also to ensure that you don’t receive any unexpected bills after your surgery. If you have to involve someone do so, but be aware of any insurance gaps in your bill. You might as well call your insurance company and verify that your medical team is in-network.
- Anesthesia Care
Whenever you are undergoing some major surgery, a physician anesthesiologist is present in the operation room with you all time. This is the first and most important part of your surgery. You should be aware of what is anesthesia and what to expect out of it. This is a critical care step which also overlaps with the pain management care. These are all the right reasons to inquire about who will be providing you with anesthesia care. Again, do the same drill of how qualified your physical is going to be, how closely they will be monitoring your anesthesia. Before going into incentive care you will have a meeting with your physical anesthesiologist, make sure you ask all the right questions regarding your vital functions and pain stimulators. Some of them can be;
- Your medication history- what have you been taking, are you on some heavy doses? Do you use insulin if you are diabetic? Provide a complete list of your prescriptions and previous medical record to your anesthesia.
- Your health and lifestyle- are you a smoker? Have you been through some major operation before in life? How active are you in life? Have you ever experienced any lung problems? Make sure to mention if you snore or have sleeping problems. This is important to know if anesthesia will work for you or not. For example if you have sleep apnea, surgery and anesthesia will become all more dangerous for you.
- If you have had any prior experience with anesthesia? If so, you should let your physician know immediately.
- Use of alcohol or any drugs. This is one information you should always share with your physician especially when a major surgery is at stake. Since these substances can affect how you react to anesthesia, your physician will be able to regulate and monitor the dose provided to you.
- Talk About your Fears Openly
It’s normal to be afraid and confused about what to expect ahead. Whatever you have in your mind, you should lay it all bare in front of your doctor. One again, not by any means should you hold back before such a significant event.
Right before Surgery
As the days leading to your surgery becomes numbered, here is how you can follow the plan through;
- Follow the pre-surgery diet
You will be instructed about your diet based on what kind of surgery is to be performed. If anesthesia is involved in your surgery, you will be definitely asked to not consume anything after midnight, given your surgery is due in a day. This is to avoid any food or liquid particles going into your lung system.
- Wear comfortable clothing
Prior to your surgery make sure you wear something that makes you comfortable in your skin. While you are at it, leave all of your valuable jewelry at your home.
Post-Surgery Care
Depending on the instructions your physician gives, you have to follow everything. Your diet will be most affected from the surgery. To gain your energy and momentum back, you have to eat a well-balanced diet and after you have healed, start with light exercise to make your body active again!
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