Before Surgery

Getting Ready

Preoperative Evaluation with Your Doctor(s)

At your preoperative appointment with your doctor, discuss any questions you have. Knowing what to expect helps relieve any anxiety you may have about your surgery.

Some frequently asked questions about surgery include:

• What type of pain will I have after surgery?
• Where will the pain occur and how long is it likely to last?
• When can I eat after surgery?
• How long will I stay in the hospital?
• When can I return to work?
• When can I ride in a car and when can I drive myself?
• When can I walk for exercise at home?
• When can I return to my exercise program?
• When can I resume sexual relations?

Inform your doctor of all medical conditions you have; for example, asthma, diabetes, thyroid problems, back/neck pain, mitral valve prolapse, etc. Your doctor will determine if it is necessary to have clearance from any other doctors before you have surgery.

If you smoke, discuss with your doctor prior to your surgery whether medication (patches, pills, nasal spray) is needed during your hospital stay to help you cope with not smoking. Woman’s Hospital is a smoke-free environment and can provide you with resources to help you quit smoking if desired.

If you are being followed by other doctors for special medical conditions, please notify them you are going to have surgery and ask which medications that they prescribe need to be continued at the hospital.

Tell your doctor ALL medications you are taking, including:

• Prescription
• Nonprescription
• Herbs
• Diet pills
• Vitamins

Ask your doctor when to stop taking any of these medications before your surgery.

Your doctor may give you a prescription for medicine you will need after your surgery. Please have this filled before your surgery date so that you will have it when you get home.

If you feel sick (have fever, sore throat or any type of infection) between now and the time for your surgery, tell your doctor. Do not wait until the day of surgery.

Preadmissions Hospital Visit with Medication Review

Either your doctor’s office will make your preadmissions hospital appointment or they will ask you to make it. Call 225-924-8604 to make your preadmissions hospital appointment.

Your appointment at the Woman’s Hospital Preadmission Center will take one to two hours. We suggest that you do not bring young children with you to this appointment. It may cause delays for you and other patients.

Bring a current printout of all prescription medicines from your pharmacy with you. Also bring all nonprescription medications, herbal medications, and vitamins in their original containers with you. The staff will review each of the medicines you take and record them.

You should also bring:

• Your insurance card
• Your driver’s license
• A copy of your living will, if you have one

Your admission paperwork will be completed, and the staff will ask you questions about your medical history. They will measure your height and weight. Any lab work or other tests ordered by your doctor will also be done.

The staff will tell you where to park on the day of surgery and where you should check in.