Meet with your health care provider or the hospital team before your surgery. Your health care provider will examine you and review your medical history. Or the hospital may have a special team to do this, called a “pre-op” team. Bring a list of all the drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements you take. Include the instructions and dose for each medicine. If you are told to get X-rays or any other tests, ask why they are necessary. You can say you do not want unneeded tests.
Quit smoking, at least for the surgery. The sooner you quit, the less likely you are to have complications from your surgery. It is very important not to smoke on the day of your surgery. If you need help stopping, ask your health care provider.
Ask your health care provider about your blood counts. If your red blood cell counts are low, ask your health care provider about whether simple treatments like iron can be used to boost your red blood cells for surgery. That way, you can reduce the risk of needing a blood transfusion.
Ask if you should stop taking pain medicine before surgery. Also ask your health care provider if you should stop taking aspirin or any other blood thinners. If you need to take a pain reliever before surgery, use Tylenol (generic acetaminophen). Avoid drugs that can cause extra bleeding during surgery, including Advil and Motrin (generic ibuprofen) and Aleve (generic naproxen sodium).
Ask for help. Ask someone to drive you to and from the hospital. You may also want someone to stay overnight in the hospital with you. And ask what kind of care you will need after surgery. Will you need nursing care? Will you need physical therapy or other rehabilitative care? Where will you get this care?
Pack a bag for your hospital stay. Bring:
- Provincial health and hospital card.
- Storage containers for dentures, contact lenses, and glasses.
- A few items for your comfort, such as a music player and headphones, photos, and a favourite robe or pillow.
- Do not bring money, jewelry, or other valuables.