Don't wear jewelry or makeup. Remove nail polish, dentures and contact lenses
or glasses before surgery. After showering or bathing, do not use lotion,
perfume or deodorant. Don't eat or drink anything after midnight on the night
before your surgery. You may brush your teeth and rinse your mouth, but don't
swallow any water.
Before Surgery
After
the paperwork is completed, your nurse will review your personal health history
and your home medications with you. It's important that you share any recent
changes in your health.
You'll also be asked to remove your clothing and put on a hospital gown.
If you still have any jewelry or personal effects, you'll need to remove it
and give it to your family. Then you'll be assigned to a bed in the preoperative
holding area.
Reva's corner:
The operating room is an environment that is free of bacteria. You will be
draped with a sheet so that only your hip will be open. You are not naked.
Make sure you also take out your false teeth, as well as all piercings. Not
all patients need to be shaved.
Preoperative Holding
Once you're in this surgical preparation area, a nurse will start an intravenous
infusion while the anesthesiologist discusses with you the type of anesthesia
best for your case. It will either be a general anesthetic (you'll be asleep)
or a spinal anesthetic (you'll be awake but have no feeling from the waist
down). Anesthesia is designed to make the procedure as comfortable as possible
for you.
While in preoperative holding, you'll:
Answer questions: You'll be asked several questions regarding
your medication, allergies and medical history, and your vital signs will
be taken.
Receive medication: You'll be given medication to help
you relax.
Visit with your family before operation: Once you receive medication to relax, your
family and/or friends will be taken to a waiting area where they can be kept informed of your
progress during surgery.