Download Guide to Day Surgery

AFTER SURGERY IN RECOVERY ROOM
If you have had a general anaesthetic, you will wake up in the Recovery Room. A
nurse will be checking your pulse, respiration and blood pressure. You will stay
there until major effects of the anaesthetic have worn off (usually 1 to 1 ½ hours).
You may feel discomfort but don’t be alarmed…it is normal. Tell your nurse who
will administer you the medication prescribed by your Doctor to make you more
comfortable. There is a lot you might see in the Recovery Room. There may be an
IV in your arm; you may have an oxygen mask on your face. You may feel
chilly…this too is normal. Operating rooms are kept cool but plenty of blankets
will keep you warm. You may notice a slight sore throat from the anaesthesia tube
used during surgery and you may still feel quite groggy.
PRE-ASSESSMENT
CLINIC
A PATIENT GUIDE TO
DAY SURGERY
No visitors are allowed in the Recovery Room. You will return to Day Surgery, in
reclining chair and then discharged home from there.
If you have a procedure under a local anaesthetic you usually will return to the Day
Surgery unit after your operation.
AFTER SURGERY IN THE DAY SURGERY
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The nurse will be taking your temperature, pulse, blood pressure and
respirations frequently and check your dressings.
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Your (IV) intravenous may still be present but will be discontinued shortly.
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The nurse will assess your level of pain/discomfort and give you medication
as needed.
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When you are awake enough you may have liquids.
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Soon you will get up and go to the bathroom and start getting ready for
discharge.
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In the post recovery area you will be prepared to go home. Instructions for
discharge will be reviewed and your questions answered. It is here that you
will change into your clothes. You will be taken by wheelchair to meet
your family or friends.
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If applicable, have crutches/cane available in your car for use after knee or
foot surgery.
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You must have someone drive you home, after surgery and you should have
someone remain with you or close by for the first 24 hours.
E:\French\SWN (7) - 270 Guide to Day Surgery.doc
South West Nova District Health Authority
60 Vancouver Street, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada B5A 2P5
Phone: 902-742-3541 Fax: 902-742-0369
NU-270
Having “day Surgery” means you will have the surgery done in the Operating
Room but you will not stay at the hospital over night. You will come to the
hospital the day of surgery and then return home after a short stay in Day Surgery.
PLEASE REPORT TO DAY SURGERY AT YARMOUTH REGIONAL
HOSPITAL ON:DATE:
TIME:
CALL 749-0231 AT 1:00 PM ON:
BRING TO THE HOSPITAL:
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Your Health Card
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Any medications you are presently taking in the containers from the
drugstore
After being checked by the nurse, these medications may be returned to a
family member until it is time for discharge.
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Bringing a favorite book, knitting, etc. is a good idea because usually there
is a wait.
THE DAY OF SURGERY
HAVE NOTHING to eat or drink after midnight the evening before surgery (not
even tea, coffee, water, lozenges or gum). You may brush your teeth or rinse your
mouth, but do not swallow water. This is important to prevent vomiting during
surgery which could have serious consequences for you.
If you are presently taking medications – check with your Doctor which ones you
can take the morning of surgery. Please take your puffers as usual and bring them
with you.
You should take a bath or shower; it may be several days before you can take
another, so enjoy it and try to relax. When bathing, do not use soaps with added
perfumes and don’t use powder after bathing.
Due to our scent free environment policy, do not wear perfume or aftershave.
Remove all make-up, fingernail polish and body piercings before coming to the
hospital. (Toenail polish may remain on)
THE DAY BEFORE SURGERY:
Spend the day as you normally would and eat your regular diet unless you have
been given specific instructions by the Registered Nurse or your Doctor.
If you develop a cold or other illness before the day of surgery or there is any other
reason you are not able to keep the appointment for surgery, please call your
surgeon’s office or Day Surgery.
THE EVENING BEFORE SURGERY
Unless instructed otherwise, you should have an evening snack (before midnight)
All jewellery, valuables or money should be left at home or with family members
on admission to the hospital. The hospital is not responsible for lost articles. You
will be informed by the Doctor if you are scheduled for a procedure where the cost
is not covered by the Department of Health and Fitness or MSI. Such procedures
include: cosmetic surgery and some dental procedures.
If you smoke, you should stop smoking now. If you feel this is not possible, you
should reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke. This helps to keep your lungs
clear and will speed your recovery.
E:\French\SWN (7) - 270 Guide to Day Surgery.doc
Wear loose comfortable clothing (i.e. sweat suits) will make you more comfortable
after surgery.
Please arrive at the hospital at the time you have been told. Then go to Day
Surgery. Anyone accompanying you may be asked to wait in the waiting area until
the nurse determines they have all the information they need for your particular
surgery.
The nurse will take your temperature, pulse and blood pressure. You will then be
asked to change into a hospital gown, housecoat and slippers. If you have
dentures, glasses, contact lenses or hearing aids, you will be asked to remove them,
and they will be placed with your clothes in a bag and will be given to you in the
Recovery Room.
Your surgeon and anaesthetist will visit you in Day Surgery and you will be
greeted by a nurse from OR team. When it is time, you will be taken to the
Operating Room. If required, the anaesthetist will now start your intravenous (IV).
Three white disks will be applied to your chest and shoulder, this allows the
anaesthetist to check your heart rate while you are under anaesthesia and a clothes
pin like device called the Oximeter Probe may be attached to your finger. It will
help measure your oxygen level.
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