Preparing Your Life for Surgery
When scheduling surgery, it's important to take into consideration your job and family commitments.
If you have children or pets, you'll need to arrange for their care while you're in the hospital. You'll also need to keep your supervisor at work aware of your surgery date and how long you expect to be out of the office, and work with him or her to train someone to cover your responsibilities. Become familiar with your medical benefit plan ahead of time so you'll know what portion of the costs you'll have to pay and how you'll make those payments.
Preparing the day before your surgery is equally important. Your surgeon and anesthesiologist should give you specific instructions about what you can and can't do the day and night before your surgery. Follow them exactly; failure to do so could be life-threatening. Be sure to ask the following questions:
- What can I eat or drink the night before? Surgical patients usually are forbidden to eat or drink anything -- even water -- after midnight before the day of surgery.
- Do I need to have an enema or take a laxative the night before?
- Are there any restrictions on other activities?
Finally, get a good night's sleep and be ready to arrive at the hospital in the morning with a family member or trusted friend who can be a source of strength and calm.
Publication Source: Vitality magazine/August 2004 Author: Floria, Barbara Online Source: National Women's Health Resource Center http://www.healthywomen.org/ Online Editor: Sinovic, Dianna Online Medical Reviewer: Godsey, Cynthia M.S., M.S.N., APRN Online Medical Reviewer: Lambert, J.G. M.D. Date Last Reviewed: 6/13/2006 Date Last Modified: 6/14/2006
