What to expect the day of your procedure
We know that the day of the procedure can be both exciting and scary – here’s some information on what you can expect.
Diet
No need to change your diet from what you were doing the last few weeks. Remember no eating or drinking after midnight the day before – not even water! You may be put on a special diet 2 weeks before the procedure.
Medication
Talk to your doctor about your medications. If you need to take medications the morning of your procedure, do this with small sips of water.
What does the day feel like ?
Check-In
You’ll be asked to fill in some paperwork; you may also be asked for a Covid test. You will then be taken to a pre-op area.
Get prepped for surgery
- Change into a hospital gown
- Provide medical information (allergies, medications, etc.); you may also be asked for a urine sample.
- Get an IV for fluid and medications as well as potentially other medications (antibiotics, blood thinners, anti-nausea and pain)
- Meet with the anesthesiologist to discuss the plan; you will get general anesthesia, which means you will be comfortably asleep during surgery
- Meet with the surgical team to confirm your procedure; you may be asked to sign some paperwork to confirm you agree to the procedure
Anesthesia makes you feel sleepy…you start breathing and before you know it, you’ll be waking up and done with surgery.
You may feel a pinch when the IV goes in but it’s painless once it’s in
Go to the operating room
- You’ll be brought to the operating room, which will be cold and bright. You can get blankets if you need them.
- You will then be moved to the operating table – it’s narrow but everyone fits!
- There are going to be a lot of people in the room – don’t worry; they are there to make sure you have a successful procedure.
- The anesthesiologist will give you an oxygen mask and as you to breathe deeply.
- You’ll go to sleep…
Wake up in the recovery room
- …and wake up in the recovery room, where you will spend a few hours.
- You will be hooked to monitors to check your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing.
- You may feel nauseous or may vomit – that is ok and normal.
- You may also have shoulder pain from gas used during the procedure – it will go away in 24-48 hours.
- Your nurse can provide both pain and nausea medications if needed.
Go to the Hospital Room
- If you are staying the hospital, you will be brought to a room and hooked up to a range of monitors.
- Members of the nursing team will check in on you and provide medications, such as blood thinners, pain, and nausea meds.
- You will be asked to walk regularly to prevent blood clots and speed your recovery.
- You will also start clear liquids, such as water, broth, sugar free Jello, etc.
Get ready to go home
- If your procedure was at a surgery center, you will go home immediately from the recovery room.
- If you were in the hospital, you will be discharged from your room.
- Depending on the location, you may have blood or other tests taken before you are discharged.
- Once you are ready to go, your IV will be taken out, you will get a prescription for at-home medications, and then you’ll get your discharge plan